Is It Possible To Grow Perennials In Raised Garden Beds?

Perennials can be grown in raised garden beds with no limitations, as most varieties adapt easily and thrive as long as care is taken to protect the plant during times of frost. Raised beds are ideal for most perennials, but some may require extra room to stretch out. Here are 27 perennial plants that will fit perfectly in raised beds:

1. Asiatic Perennials: These plants are easy to grow and thrive in a raised bed due to their loose, aerated soil. They can grow up to 4 feet tall and have hardiness zones 7-10.

2. Snapdragons: Snapdragons are a joyful plant with brightly colored, large flower heads that dress up the garden and grow beautifully in raised beds.

3. Annuals: Annuals are better suited to raised beds, but they may need more space to grow. As long as the raised bed has good soil in the bottom for deep-rooted perennials to have plenty of room for their roots to grow, most perennials will grow nicely in raised beds.

4. Hardiest Perennials: The frost/freeze cycle is worse in slightly warmer zones. You can plant the hardiest perennials in a raised bed with a mulch. However, mint or oregano should not be planted in your raised bed, as it will be difficult to control and spread outside the bed and everywhere.

5. Before planting your perennials, it’s important to prepare the soil, as raised garden beds tend to dry out faster than traditional garden beds.

What are the disadvantages of raised garden beds?

Raised beds have certain disadvantages, including a tendency to dry out more rapidly, the need for more frequent watering, and a greater initial investment of time and effort compared to conventional gardens. Furthermore, the height and volume of raised beds may result in increased costs and may not be suitable for overwintering crops, depending on the specific height and volume.

What is the easiest thing to grow in a raised bed?

Vegetable roots vary in depth and size, with heat-loving vegetables having deeper, more extensive systems. Examples include pumpkins, winter squash, watermelons, tomatoes, artichokes, okra, and sweet potatoes. Root vegetables like carrots, onions, and garlic grow best in loose, partially sandy soil, making them ideal for raised beds. Compact varieties, such as bush-type summer and winter squashes, can easily overgrow a raised bed. For cucumbers, grow on a trellis to save space.

For tomatoes, choose patio varieties like Sprite and Tumbling Tom, as bush-type determinate tomatoes work better in small spaces. If raised beds are taller than the common 10- to 12-inch height, choose bush beans instead of tall pole beans, or use a ladder for picking.

Why not to use raised beds?

Raised beds can be an economically viable option for horticulture, yet they necessitate more frequent irrigation due to their exposure to the atmosphere and the accelerated drying process, which can result in a more rapid loss of nutrients from the soil in comparison to in-ground gardens.

What should you not grow in a raised bed?

Raised garden beds can be a helpful solution for home gardeners, but not all plants are suitable for them. Some plants, such as squash, melon, corn, blackberries, mint, apple trees, asparagus, and pumpkins, require more space for their roots to spread out due to their sprawling vines or complex root systems. Raised beds can help incorporate the right soil for your plants and extend the amount of garden space, but not all plants will thrive in a raised bed.

Horticulturalists and arborists have provided more information on which plants should never grow in a raised bed. Some plants, such as squash, melon, corn, blackberries, mint, apple trees, asparagus, and pumpkins, are better off directly in the ground.

How do you arrange flowers in a raised bed?

Layering plants in a garden bed according to height is a popular method for creating a visually appealing and thriving garden. This involves placing shorter plants in the front, medium-sized plants in the middle, and taller ones in the back. This arrangement ensures that every plant is visible and allows the plants to thrive. To create a beautiful garden bed, follow these expert tips: choose the right flowers, create contrast, layer plants according to height, provide adequate spacing, consider bloom time and duration, consider sun and water requirements, visualize your future garden, consider colors, textures, and shapes, mix annuals and perennials, consider plant heights, include a focal point, choose flowers that grow best in your area, select show-stopping plants, determine the flower size(s) that fit best in your space, choose flowers that offer year-round interest, choose color combinations you love, consider the plant’s fragrance, and consider flowers that attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.

What should you fill a raised garden bed with?

Raised bed gardens can be filled with compost, seed-free plant debris, kitchen scraps, grass clippings, used coffee grounds, newspaper, and weed-free straw. However, certain materials should not be included in raised beds. Garden soil is not suitable for filling raised beds as it can become dense and compact, impairing water flow and stunting root growth. Plastic sheeting is not suitable for suppressing weeds as it can become fragile and degrade over time.

Cardboard and newspaper are better choices for suppressing weeds at the base of raised beds. Rocks or gravel can create a false water table, impairing water flow. Grade the soil around the raised bed away from the garden and ensure good drainage. Treated lumber is not suitable for filling garden beds, and plant materials from allelopathic and water-resistant plants should not be used. Black walnut suppresses nearby plant growth, while cedar is naturally water-resistant. Therefore, it is best to skip branches, twigs, and logs from these tree species when creating raised bed gardens.

How to insulate a raised garden bed?

To winterize raised garden beds, add layers of organic materials like compost and mulch, known as Nature’s Blanket. Add at least three inches to the bed, insulate the soil like a blanket, and Beaver Lake’s compost is superior to local and national brands. It provides necessary nutrients for maintaining the health of perennials and fruit trees over winter. If living in higher elevations of the Western Slope, consider adding wood mulch.

Beaver Lakes Nursery offers ten types of wood mulch, but don’t be afraid to choose the fanciest one. The purpose of applying wood mulch is to lock in moisture and nutrients, protect root vegetables from the elements, and protect them from the elements.

Should you cover raised garden beds in winter?

Raised beds can be wrapped in bubble wrap, garden fleece, or jute to provide additional protection against cold temperatures. This helps keep the cold out of the root zone of plants, preventing frosty temperatures from penetrating the bed. Covering raised beds in winter with leaves or mulch materials like brushwood or fir branches can also protect the soil and winter plants. However, the layer should not be too thick or close to the plants to avoid diseases like stem rot. Heavy feeder vegetables can be isolated with a layer of compost or well-rotted manure.

In winter, rainy weather can be a concern for gardeners. If the bed is not well-drained, it is essential to protect it from rain. Even permeable beds can benefit from a proper roof to protect them from rain and cold wind. Covers can prolong the harvest period for hardy plants like vegetables and lettuce, as they stay warm longer in autumn and warm up faster in spring.

What flowers grow well in raised garden beds?

Raised garden beds are ideal for showcasing annual flowers, which require little maintenance and provide a burst of color throughout the growing season. Popular annual flowers include marigolds, petunias, snapdragons, pansies, and impatiens. These flowers are also suitable for starting a cut flower garden with zinnias, cosmos, larkspur, bachelor buttons, and dahlias. Perennials, such as daylilies, daisies, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, hostas, and lavender, require two or more years to establish themselves before they bloom fully in spring. Bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and alliums, can be planted in the fall when temperatures cool off, providing a year-round display without the need for replanting.

How deep should a raised bed be for flowers?

A raised garden bed should accommodate about 20 inches of soil for the roots of flowers and vegetables. Double-digging can help meet this requirement by turning the soil over to a depth of 24 inches. The extra depth provided by the raised bed is not wasted, as it allows for the addition of compost, which improves plant growth. To create a raised bed wall, two 2×6 boards should be stacked horizontally. If not double-digging, the bed must be raised to meet the 20-inch requirement.

Will perennials survive winter in raised beds in Canada?

In Northen Alberta, raised flower beds are not suitable for wintering perennials due to their lack of protection. Lower raised beds, 1-2 feet off the ground, can be successful as the roots remain below ground level, while higher beds offer no protection. Insulated roots and proper moisture are crucial for survival in winter. Perennials can survive mild winters but not in -40 weather. If planting is attempted, place plants away from the edge for more insulation, water heavily in fall and early spring, and provide extra insulation with leaves, grass clippings, straw, burlap, or foam sheeting. For higher raised beds, remove perennials to a safe ground location over winter and return them for summer.