What should you put at the bottom of your Raised bed? (& What to avoid?)

What should you put at the bottom of your Raised bed? If you also have this question hovering in your mind while gardening, then this article will be totally helpful for you. In my gardening field, I used to face this kind of issue. There are many reasons to love raised bed gardening, one of which is to have a variety of options to grow from veggies, fruits, or just a variety of plants, and the raised bed is considered warmer than the ground. Also, it will in some way help you to prevent back pain.

Quick takeaways:

  • With the help of raised bed gardening, you can minimize the growth of weeds.
  • You may think that this is quite suitable for you, but there are several minimal mistakes that you can make while proceeding with raised bed gardening.
  • Things that can be put at the bottom of your raised bed are newspapers, stones, leaves, and many more.
  • There are many things available in the market that you can use while making your raised bed.

We are going to go through some of them so you can easily decide which is best for you. So, today in this article we will discuss some of the mistakes that you can avoid while making your raised bed.

Choosing the right kind of soil for building a raised bed

  • For building a raised bed you need to choose soil that has perfect combinations of various materials.
  • You will need some potting soil which is generally a mixture of perlite, peat moss, or vermiculite.
  • Also, do not forget you will need a proper amount of compost which is generally a mixture used to make the soil more fertile.
  • In the end, you will need to add some topsoil above the layers of potting soil, and compost.

What Should You Put At The Bottom Of Your Raised Bed? 

There are several materials that you can use while building raised bed some of them are mentioned below:

1. Newspaper

Newspaper is one of the best materials that you can use in your raised bed because first it’s cheap and second it can help create a perfect barrier to prevent weeds.

You can lay some of the sheets of newspaper at the bottom of your raised bed, the newspaper will not decompose easily which will result in creating a perfect barrier for preventing weeds.

After some time the newspaper will decompose and release carbon into the soil which will help grow microorganisms.

One of the drawbacks is the ink, which can release toxins in the soil but still is soy-based which will not have a major impact on the soil.

2. Cardboard

Also, cardboard can be used as the best material for your raised bed. But you can not use cardboard if it has a glossy finish on it. Cardboard is also cheap and easily available to get hands-on. Depending on the thickness, the cardboard will decompose accordingly. 

It will take 4 to 6 months to decompose completely. But you will need to avoid those cardboards which have glossy ink on them because they will harm the soil.

Try avoiding cereal boxes, soda, or shoe boxes. If the boxes are plain you can use them but keep in mind that you need to avoid boxes that have ink or glossy finish on them.

3. Leaves

Leaves can also act as a great choice for raised bed gardening. They will decompose within 6 to 12 months and will act as a great source of fertilization for the soil. If you want to delay the process of decomposition you will need to add more leaves. 

The more leaves your bed will have the longer it will take to decompose. This will help in increasing the decomposing barrier. Once decomposed the material left will be purely organic and will serve a good role in the growth of plants.

4. Stones

Stones can also be used as a great option for adding to the raised bed. Not limited to stones you can also use rocks or pebbles; these will never decompose and will remain in your raised bed forever. 

These things have quite a lot of drawbacks including poor drainage, the stones will hold water for a longer duration which may or may not be a good option for you depending upon the crop you planted.

Also, weeds will grow through them because they will have some spaces left behind. Along with weeds many other wild plants can grow that can harm your plants.

5. Don’t have to add anything

One of the cheapest and simplest ways is to add nothing at the bottom of your raised bed. Although there will be no barrier to stopping those weeds this one is one of the hassle-free options available that you can use.

Depending upon the type of crop you are willing to plant you can choose whether you want to add something to your weed bed or leave it as it is.

From the above options, you can choose whatever suits you the most. Every option has its pros and cons, you can decide which one suits you.

What to Avoid at The Bottom Of Your Raised Bed?

There are many things you need to focus on while building these things. 

  • You need to plant the perfect size for your bed so that you can move around it freely and can use it from all sides.
  • Avoid using weed killers or other harmful chemicals that can damage your soil and can cause long-term effects on your soil.
  • It is best to pluck these weeds by hand.
  • Also, keep in mind the place you keep your raised bed should have proper ventilation and sunlight reaching your bed.

Concluding lines

In this guide, you come to know that there are many reasons to love raised bed gardening, one of which is to have a variety of options to grow from veggies, fruits, or just a variety of plants. Also, it will in some way help you to prevent back pain. With the help of raised bed gardening, you can minimize the growth of weeds. Also, you may think that this is quite suitable for you, but there are several minimal mistakes that you can make while proceeding with raised bed gardening. Read the guide fully so that you understand them better. 

Thanks for reading! Happy gardening!

FAQs

1. Are raised garden beds safe?

Yes, raised garden beds are safe to use. It is recommended to use the raised beds as it will help you in reducing weed growth and also pest control.  

2. What should be on the bottom of a raised garden bed?

You will see a layer of newspaper, fabric, and cardboard at the bottom of a raised garden bed. You can help yourself so that the plants have a good drainage system which helps them to control the spreading of weeds. 

Becky Decker

Becky Decker, our esteemed Editor-in-Chief, is a passionate gardener with years of experience in the world of horticulture. With her guidance, BonjourGreen.com aims to be your trusted companion on your gardening journey. Featured In   Becky Decker’s expertise and gardening wisdom have been recognized and featured in various prominent publications, including:   Homesandgardens.com Yahoo.com Urbansplatter.com Inkl.com Foliagefriend.com Yahoonews  Experience & Background   Becky Decker’s love for gardening has been a lifelong journey. She has honed her skills through countless seasons of planting, nurturing, and harvesting a wide variety of plants, flowers, and vegetables. Her deep-rooted knowledge is complemented by her Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from the University of Green Valley.   Prior to leading BonjourGreen.com, Becky worked as a garden consultant, helping countless individuals turn their outdoor spaces into vibrant, thriving gardens. Her experience spans over a decade, making her a trusted authority in the gardening community.   The Birth of BonjourGreen.com   Inspired by her passion for gardening and her desire to share her expertise with a wider audience, Becky Decker launched BonjourGreen.com in 2021. This platform serves as a hub for gardening enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to seasoned pros.   At BonjourGreen.com, we are committed to providing you with comprehensive guides, expert advice, and hands-on tips to help you achieve success in your gardening endeavors. Whether you have a small balcony garden or a sprawling backyard paradise, we have the information you need to make your garden flourish.   Our Mission   BonjourGreen.com is more than just a gardening website; it’s a community of gardeners who share a common love for nurturing the Earth. Our mission is to empower you with the knowledge and resources to create beautiful, sustainable gardens that bring joy and tranquility to your life.   Join Us on This Green Journey   We invite you to explore BonjourGreen.com and embark on your gardening journey with us. Whether you’re seeking advice on planting techniques, pest control, landscaping ideas, or the latest gardening trends, you’ll find it all right here.   Connect with us, ask questions, and share your gardening stories. Together, we’ll cultivate a thriving community of gardeners and help each other make the world a greener, more beautiful place.   Let’s dig in and grow together at BonjourGreen.com, where gardening dreams bloom!

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