Raised Beds & Planter Boxes

What are Raised beds? – an overview

Raised beds are usually wooden boxes (sometimes confused with raised planters) that contain soil deposits, which is raised above the bedding level of the soil. Raised beds enable you to have soil with a chemical type not present in your garden, this enables you to tailor soil precisely to the flowers, plants and vegetables that you would like to grow.

Raised garden beds are an alternative to some forms of landscaping and give options without considerable amounts of soil being disturbed or paving slabs being pulled up, etc., Buy top-quality raised beds from the collection at Shedstore today.

What is the difference between raised beds and raised planters?

Raised beds and raised planter boxes both serve the purpose of elevating the soil above ground level to provide a controlled environment for plant and flower growth.

However, there are some key differences:

Purpose and design:

Raised Beds: These are typically larger and are designed for growing a variety of plants, including vegetables, flowers, and shrubs. They are often used to improve soil conditions, especially in areas with poor or compacted soil.

Raised Planter Boxes: These are generally smaller and more decorative, often used for specific plants or flowers, in a similar way to raised flower beds. Raised planters can be placed on patios, decks, or even indoors.

Material, construction, and base

Raised Beds: Often made of wood, they are usually open at the bottom, allowing plant roots to extend into the ground below.

Raised Planter Boxes: Typically made of wood, raised planers often have a closed bottom, making them more portable.

Soil volume and depth

Raised Beds: Tend to have a greater soil volume and depth, accommodating a wider variety of plants and allowing for deeper root growth.

Raised Planter Boxes: Might have limited soil depth, suitable for plants with shallower root systems.

Maintenance

Raised Beds: Require regular maintenance like weeding, but benefit from improved soil drainage and aeration.

Raised Planter Boxes: Easier to manage in terms of weeding and raised planters can be moved to different locations based on sunlight and aesthetic preferences.

While both raised beds and raised planter boxes elevate plants above the ground, they differ in their design, purpose, and functionality. Choosing between them depends on your gardening goals, available space, and aesthetic preferences.

How deep do raised garden beds & raised planters need to be?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question, it really depends upon your personal preference. In general, we would suggest somewhere between 10” (0.83’) and 15” (1.25’), as being about the right depth.

The choice of raised garden beds or raised planters is so broad that there is very likely to be at least one, which meets your needs. It is worth remembering before ordering, the deeper the beds, then the deeper the depth of soil needed, which can prove expensive and require more maintenance.

Is it a good idea to grow flowers using raised flower beds?

Yes, certainly flowers will flourish in raised flower beds. Flowers that will thrive in raised flower beds include calendula, marigolds, nasturtiums, pansies, petunias, poppies, sunflowers, and sweet peas. These are just a few examples! There are many more flowers, which would love raised planter boxes, you could even plant flowering herbs such as borage, lavender, and thyme.

How many years can I expect my raised planter boxes & beds to last?

All our wooden raised planter boxes and beds are manufactured by Forest Garden and have a fifteen years manufacturer anti-rot guarantee. This length of guarantee is only possible as these wooden raised beds and planters are pressure treated. Ordinarily wood rots in two to three years, but the pressure treatment ensures that the preservative reaches every fibre of the wood. So, our estimate would be that our wooden raised planter boxes would last somewhere between fifteen to twenty years.

Can I make my own raised vegetable beds?

There is no reason why not, all you need are the right wood and some carpentry skills. You could make your own wooden raised vegetable beds for example from old fencing or decking and quickly convert this into raised beds. As well as flowers and plants, every kind of vegetable can be grown in raised beds, so there is every reason to add one to your garden.

Related article

Raised beds along with planters are discussed in this recommended read from the Shedstore blog:

1. Get a flying start this spring with raised beds and planters
2. Ten Perfect Planters for Your Garden

Contact Shedstore

If you have been searching for “raised beds for sale near me”, why not order online from us, with FREE of cost delivery to your door on orders over £200? If you need to discuss any of our raised planter boxes or beds for sale, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Call Shedstore for clarification information and advice to help you reach an informed decision. Our contact methods are:

• By telephone - 0333 003 0518
• Contact form – complete this at https://www.shedstore.co.uk/contact-us
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