I've been growing plants in both potted and raised garden beds, and I've noticed a big difference in success. My potted plants, using the same soil mix as my raised bed, produce huge fruits and vegetables with strong growth. However, my raised bed has been a flop. It's 12 inches high and filled to the top with soil, sitting on a weed barrier. I water both the raised bed and pots on the same schedule, and the plants have enough space. Unfortunately, the raised bed is overtaken by weeds and hasn't been watered except for rain over the last couple of months because I've become frustrated with it. Should I consider switching back to potted plants? If I do that, can I reuse some of the soil from my raised bed mixed with fresh soil, or should I just start with all-new soil? I have a lot of soil on hand, and I don't want to waste it, but I also want to avoid another round of failure with my plants.
3 Answers
You might want to invest in a water meter; it can really help with knowing whether you're over or under watering your raised bed. It's important because raised beds can dry out differently than pots. Based on what you're saying, it could be possible that while you're watering them the same amount, the raised bed actually needs less water than the pots. A water meter will take the guesswork out of it.
I think you should definitely try reusing some of that soil, but maybe mix in some fresh soil to bring nutrients back. As for your watering schedule, raised beds often hold moisture longer due to their soil volume and depth, so you might be overwatering them. Keep an eye on how those plants are doing in comparison to your pots.
It sounds like the weed barrier could be causing drainage issues. Sometimes, those barriers can clog up and restrict water movement, making it hard for your plants to get the moisture they need. If it’s usable, I recommend checking the drainage situation.
Yeah, I had a similar issue with my barrier. It wasn't letting enough water through after a while. It might be worth considering if your setup is similar!
That's a good tip! I've found my pots need more frequent watering compared to my raised beds, too. We should definitely think about the differences in how the plants are getting moisture.