I'm in my second year of gardening at my new home, and I've encountered some challenges. In parts of my yard, I've hit solid rock just beneath the surface, and the previous owner brought in dirt to create my vegetable garden. I've been dealing with weeds, shallow areas in the plot, and figuring out how to improve the soil for the various vegetables I want to grow. My garden space is roughly 20 x 30 feet, with mostly morning sun and some shade starting in the late afternoon during summer. In spring and autumn, it gets even more sunlight. I'm really considering 2-foot tall metal raised beds but hesitate to order them because I'm uncertain about their long-term success, how to lay them out for a permanent setup, and I'm also interested in fall and early winter cold frame gardening. Has anyone else made this switch? What have your experiences been with raised beds? I'd love to hear about the pros and cons, any tips you have, and unexpected issues you've faced!
3 Answers
I think you should definitely go for the raised beds! I have a similar setup, and the raised beds have made a massive difference for me—no weeds at all! Just make the leap and get them installed; it’s totally worth it for the results you'll get.
I actually use containers instead of traditional beds. You can find big planters at discount stores, and I recommend putting small sticks at the bottom for better drainage. They’re easy to move around for optimal light and I’m always mixing in good soil in the spring when I replant. It's worked well for me!
Raised beds aren’t any more permanent than traditional in-ground beds, in my experience. The tricky part is filling them with quality soil. It’s worth it to invest in good quality metal beds, though; just make sure they’re sturdy to avoid issues down the line. I'm all about customizing soil mixtures to fit what you’re growing—that's where the real fun starts!
Ugh, bindweed can be such a pain! At least your soil should be pretty good with the alfalfa remnants; that’s definitely a plus!