Growing in raised beds

How to get healthy plants, good soil, and higher yields

Growing in raised beds is one of the easiest ways to get started 🪴✨ You get better control over soil and weeds, and the soil often warms up earlier, so the season can start sooner and last longer.

This guide is built like a simple recipe. Follow the steps in order and you’ll end up with a raised bed that’s ready to plant in—even if you’ve never grown anything before.

🌿 What is a raised bed

A raised bed is a bed that sits above ground level and is filled with soil. The advantage is that you decide the soil quality and drainage yourself, and the bed is easier to keep organized.

In short: Raised beds provide more control, fewer weeds, and easier care.

📍 Step 1 - Choose the location

The location makes everything else easier. Take a moment to choose correctly from the start.

Sun: 6 to 8 hours of sun suits most vegetables.
Partial shade: great for lettuce, spinach, and many herbs.
Shelter: often means less drying out and more stable plants.
Water nearby: the easier watering is, the better it works in practice.

📏 Step 2 - Choose the size

The most important rule is that you must be able to reach into the bed without stepping on the soil. That makes it easy to weed, sow, and harvest.

Width: about 80 to 120 cm is a good starting point for most people.
Length: choose based on space and needs. A smaller bed is often the best start.
Height and soil depth: many crops do well in a lower raised bed. If you want more soil depth, you can build up with good layers and choose crops according to the depth.

💡 Tip: Start simple. One bed you take good care of gives better results than several beds you don’t have time to maintain.

🧱 Step 3 - Choose material

The material affects durability, weight, and how much maintenance is involved. If the bed will stand on a balcony or terrace, low weight is often a big advantage.

Plastic raised bed – easy to carry and easy to keep looking nice

Plastic is a strong choice if you want a raised bed that’s easy to handle and can look good for many years without ongoing treatment.

Low weight: easy to carry and move, especially on a balcony and terrace.
Gentle on the surface: practical on paving stones, wooden decks, and balcony floors.
Stays looking great: doesn’t rust and doesn’t require oiling or painting.
Easy day-to-day: you can get started quickly and spend time on the plants instead of maintenance.

💡 Tip: On a balcony and terrace, it’s nice to be able to move the bed a bit if you later want to adjust for sun, shelter, and space.

Wood – the classic in the garden

Natural look and easy to build yourself.
Typically requires more maintenance and may have a shorter lifespan depending on moisture and wood type.

Metal – sturdy and modern

Very stable and long-lasting.
Can get hot in strong sun, so the bed can dry out faster.

Stone and brick – heavy but very durable

Very long lifespan and good heat storage.
Heavy to establish and harder to move.

⚠️ Remember: No matter the material, water must be able to drain away. A raised bed must not function like a tub.

🛠️ Step 4 - Put the bed in place and get it ready

The most important thing is that the bed stands stable and roughly level so water doesn’t collect on one side.

Ensure a solid base so the bed doesn’t wobble when you fill it with soil.
If the bed stands on a hard surface, plan for drainage from the start—see the next step.

Garland winter cover for raised bed - large

🪵 Step 5 - Base and drainage

The base and drainage depend on whether the bed stands on soil or on a hard surface.

If the bed stands on soil or grass

Lay a layer of cardboard without tape and plastic to suppress grass and weeds at the beginning.
If you have problems with digging animals, you can place wire mesh at the bottom.

If the bed stands on paving stones, concrete, or a terrace

Make sure water can drain away so the roots aren’t constantly wet.
Avoid a solution that completely seals and holds water.

Note about cardboard: Many people use cardboard with good effect. Use clean cardboard without print, and avoid the area becoming constantly wet.

🧺 Step 6 - Fill the raised bed correctly

You save soil and get a better structure by filling in layers. The most important thing is a good layer of growing soil on top, where you will sow and plant.

Layer 1: Coarse material

Branches, twigs, and coarse garden waste.
Preferably use material that has already started to break down a bit so the bed settles less.

Layer 2: Organic fill

Leaves, partly decomposed compost, and mixed garden waste.
Grass clippings in thin layers. Thick layers can become slimy and low in oxygen.

Layer 3: Growing soil

Ensure a good, continuous layer of soil on top so the plants get an easy start.
If you want to grow deep-rooting crops, prioritize more soil depth and a stone-free topsoil.

💡 Tip: Fill the bed a little too high. The material sinks as it decomposes.

⚠️ Remember: Very coarse fill can provide a bit less nutrition at the beginning. A good layer of soil on top and compost on the surface helps the plants get started.

🌱 Step 7 - Easy planting the first year

Start with crops that are easy and fast. That way you get early success and learn to understand the bed.

The easiest for the first raised bed

Lettuce, arugula, spinach
Radishes
Beets
Onions and garlic
Chives and parsley

Once you have watering under control

Peas and beans
Carrots if you have good soil depth and stone-free topsoil

Require more nutrients and a bit more care

Cabbage
Leeks

Flowers that both decorate and help

Marigolds and nasturtium

💡 Tip: Choose fewer things and take good care of them. That gives better results than spreading yourself too thin.

💧 Step 8 - Watering and fertilizing

Watering

Raised beds often dry out faster, especially in sun and wind.
Check the soil a couple of centimeters down and water when it’s about to dry out.
Water thoroughly. That gives deeper roots and more robust plants.

Fertilizing

Compost on top is a simple base.
Demanding crops may benefit from extra nutrients along the way.
Pale leaves and slow growth can be signs of nutrient deficiency.

🧠 Step 9 - Common mistakes and quick fixes

Bed too wide: stick to a width you can reach into.
Too little soil on top: ensure a good layer of growing soil that gives the plants an easy start.
Drying out: use mulch and water thoroughly.
Thick layers of fresh grass: use thin layers or mix with other material.
Same plant family in the same spot every year: rotate from season to season.

🔁 Step 10 - Rotation without hassle

Rotation doesn’t have to be advanced. The most important thing is that you don’t grow the same plant family in the same spot every year.

Year 1: leafy greens and herbs
Year 2: root vegetables
Year 3: onions and leeks
Year 4: cabbage and other demanding crops

💡 Tip: Put a small label by the bed with what was planted there last year.

❓ Frequently asked questions

How deep should a raised bed be

It depends on what you want to grow. Many crops thrive with normal soil depth, while deep-rooting crops require more. You can also adapt by filling correctly in layers and choosing crops according to depth.