There’s a certain satisfaction to planting directly in the good Earth, but the fact is, it isn’t always the best choice. Raised beds can be a boon for a number of reasons. For example, not everyone has the right kind of soil for a garden; if the soil is exhausted, too clayey, or contaminated, raised beds may well be the best option. It’s a lot easier to control the soil condition and quality when you have to provide the soil in the first place. Not only that, you don’t have to worry as much about erosion or, conversely, compaction; and raised beds tend to drain better than most in-ground gardening beds, so you needn’t be concerned about soggy soil, either.
Here’s another good thing about raised beds: it’s easier to suppress weeds. This not only has the result of providing your plants with less competition of resources, but also has positive physical benefits for you. Here’s what we mean: given that there are fewer weeds to pull, you won’t have to bend as often. Add that to the fact that you’re unlikely to have to bend as far when cultivating a raised bed, and the result is less wear and tear on the joints and muscles, and fewer of the inevitable aches that result.
Don’t miss our whole store section on raised bed gardening here!
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I have had my beds raised for about 4 years now.
Live in Norcal-oddly enough live near the Sac valley; breadbasket to the world. Our soil is hardpan, they kind if you hit your head on the dirt we haul you off to the hospital to get you x rayed for a concusion. After the 2nd year I started using a post hole digger to add new plants and upgrade the soil.
How often should soil be changed? Added? Seldom see the situation addressed.
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Wow, that’s some hard soil if you’re using a post hole digger! Consider using a structure to support the raised beds, and completely replace your soil. It’ll be easier in the end. But, in general with raised beds, you don’t really need to replace the soil (unless contaminated with a soil borne disease, like fusarium wilt or root rot).
If you want to improve your soil in raised beds, it’s easy. You should improve your soil annually after the growing season. You can grow a cover crop to replace nutrients. But, the easiest thing to do is cut the plants off at soil level (roots will decompose), cover the bed with a thick layer of compost, and spread a layer of mulch over the compost for the winter.