Raised beds are a practical alternative to classic garden cultivation. We show what advantages and disadvantages a raised bed can have. We also present a few exciting raised bed models.
Raised beds have become increasingly popular in recent years – and for good reason. Because a raised bed is practical in many ways and has some advantages, but only a few disadvantages. In addition, a raised bed can also be an interesting garden decoration.
The most important advantages of a raised bed at a glance:
- The raised bed is easy on your back, you can plant and harvest comfortably while standing
- Plants in raised beds receive more heat in summer, which allows them to grow faster and more vigorously
- Vegetables and plants are better protected in the raised bed from animals such as snails and mice (a fine-meshed floor grid must be attached for mice)
- Raised beds can be positioned freely. So you can choose the perfect location for the corresponding plant
The most important disadvantages of a raised bed at a glance:
- The plants need a little more water in the raised bed
- The raised bed costs money to buy
- The soil in the raised bed sags, so that some soil has to be poured in every year
- After about seven years, the raised bed filling should be completely replaced
Raised beds in comparison
In the following table we show you different types of raised bed, because depending on the space and application, a different model is suitable. Our top recommendation, for example, is a classic kit that is equipped with a slug guard, a bubble wrap that protects against rotting, and a grid to prevent rodent infestation. There is also an optional attachment for growing plants faster and protecting cold frames.
The price tip, on the other hand, is a small, simple raised bed that can even be placed on a balcony and that you can use to plant the most important kitchen herbs.
Fill the raised bed
There are several ways to fill a raised bed. A classic filling consists of three to four layers. You should also make sure that the wood is protected from the inside so that it does not rot (drainage film). The floor should be covered with a close-meshed steel grid to prevent rodents from entering. A snail protection is not mandatory, but recommended.
The layers of a classic raised bed:
- Drainage: This layer consists of old branches, wood chips and similar material. If possible, protect it with a layer of leaves or grass.
- Compost: A layer of compost is recommended so that the plants receive enough nutrients.
- Potting soil: The last layer of the raised bed consists of the potting soil. If you want, you can add a fourth layer of mulch on top.
Each individual layer uses about a third of the filling height. Only the optional mulch layer is significantly thinner at around 5 centimeters high.
Comparison instead of test: What’s the difference?
For this comparison, a CHIP specialist editor examined test reports from other publications as well as the most popular offers (“best sellers”) and customer opinions from online retailers. Based on this we made the product selection. When selecting the top devices, we focus on models with more than four stars and a reasonably high number of reviews. We have read a selection of customer reviews and selected devices that, based on our professional assessment, meet the needs of the users. The products have not been tested in the CHIP test center.
All products that the CHIP test center had in the laboratory can be found in this list of the best. Products that have also been tested by our cooperation partners can be found in our test & purchase advice and in our consumer portal.
Further topics at a glance
You can find many more exciting purchase advices on the subject of “House & Garden” on our category page at CHIP365. Including the following: