Trees In A Garden Bed: Is It Possible?

Raised beds are a popular method for growing trees in gardens, as they can overcome natural limitations of soil and create the perfect soil mixture for various tree types. However, growing trees is more likely to destroy raised beds than cause harm itself. Raised beds are often too wide, but they can be built to accommodate a variety of trees, including fruit trees.

Raised beds are large, above-ground planters with walls ranging from 6-24 inches high, typically encased in a frame made of wood, concrete, or stone. When choosing a site for raised beds, consider factors such as soil quality, drainage, and the desired height and width. Fruit trees can thrive on raised beds, as they allow better control over soil quality and drainage.

Ideally, fruit trees should be planted in a raised bed that is around 10 inches high and 6 feet wide. If your soil is poor, raised beds may need to be 3 to 4 feet tall. As long as you have a large enough raised bed and regularly feed/water your plants, you can grow anything you want, including trees. However, fertile soil placed around the trunk can encourage the growth of tree roots, which can be harmful.

Trees require ample space for their roots to spread, so the volume of soil required for raised plantings is substantial. For example, for a flowering crabapple, raised beds work well in this situation, but you can also create hills by raising them 6 inches or 12 inches if the soil is particularly bad.

In conclusion, raised beds are an excellent option for gardeners facing challenging soil conditions or those seeking an easier way to tend to plants.

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.

Can you build up soil around a tree?

When landscaping or building a new house, avoid tree instability issues by avoiding topsoil or fill burying the trunk flare of existing trees, which can lead to stem-girdling roots and destabilize the tree. It is crucial to see the sweeping radius from the tree trunk to the root system. If the tree appears to grow straight out of the ground after backfilling, it is at risk of dying. Removing the root and fill helps dry the root crown and restore the tree to a safer condition.

Is it okay to put rocks around trees?

Rocks are not recommended for use as mulch around trees as they can damage your mower and act as a weed block without adding nutrients to the soil. Wood or leaf-based mulch, such as shredded wood, bark nuggets, or shredded leaves, is recommended for their longevity and effectiveness. Pine needles should not be used under non-pine trees as they can alter the pH of the soil. Instead, use shredded wood, bark nuggets, or shredded leaves for optimal tree care.

Is it okay to build a planter around a tree?

Doris Taylor, Plant Clinic manager at The Morton Arboretum, advises against planting trees in pots, as it can stress the tree, leading to disease, insect problems, or rot, ultimately causing its decline and death. The soil in the planter blocks air and water, smothering the tree’s roots. In desperate situations, the tree may send new roots to the surface, cutting off water flow and strangling itself.

What is best to plant in a raised garden bed?

Raised garden beds require specific plants to thrive. Moisture-loving plants like cardinal flowers, sedges, and monkshood thrive in these beds. In dry spots, try Russian sage, prairie plants, Mediterranean herbs, or succulents. The plant tag or seed packet should indicate if the plant is a water-lover. A water-Smart Garden can be achieved by grouping succulents like golden acre sedum, Matrona sedum, variegated agave, and hen-and-chicks, and adding drought-tolerant herbs like rosemary, lavender, and thyme.

Soil and food are crucial for a successful raised garden. Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Raised Bed Mix is ideal for growing large, beautiful plants in raised beds, as it drains beautifully and is made with organic ingredients. Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Raised Bed Plant Nutrition Granules provide the necessary nutrients for your plants. A combination of Miracle-Gro® soil and plant food will encourage more fruitful harvests and blooms over the growing season.

How to make a garden bed around a tree?

Many people mistakenly believe that planting flowers under trees is a good idea, but this approach fails to consider the fact that tree roots need to breathe. Most tree species have their roots close to the surface of the soil, and even fewer send deep tap roots into the earth. The critical roots are the fine, fibrous roots lying close to the surface, which are essential for the tree to absorb oxygen. If these roots are buried by more than a few inches, it may kill the tree by cutting off its oxygen supply.

However, there are ways to successfully plant flowers or ground cover plants under the tree. A small amount of soil and compost added to the ground around the tree will not seriously hinder the tree’s ability to obtain oxygen. The roots of growing plants will loosen and aerate the soil, helping the plant obtain its oxygen. Gradually adding soil to the ground around the tree can accommodate it by sending new roots up near the surface.

Is treated wood safe for garden beds?

John Harrison, President of JRH Toxicology, states that pressure treated wood for raised bed or box gardening is safe for adults and children in terms of the plants grown and used in these containers. He explains that most chemicals in consumer products have a toxicity and most are very low, so they are not a problem, especially those regulated by the federal government. This is also the case with currently registered wood preservatives that contain copper, which is considered an essential trace element for human and plant life.

Dr. Scott Leavengood, Associate Professor College of Forestry at Oregon State University and Director of the Oregon Wood Innovation Center, authored an article for the OSU Extension Service, stating that the consensus among researchers is that the low levels of chemicals in preservative treated wood that leach out of the wood into the soil are likely to be taken up by the plants only in very small amounts. There has been no evidence to suggest that the level of the chemicals is significant enough to be of concern for human health.

In a 2014 study, wood research scientists Love, Gardner, and Morrell at Oregon State University found that copper levels were not higher in roots or tubers of radishes, carrots, and potatoes compared to beds constructed from untreated wood. They also suggest that when people are concerned about the migration of wood preservatives, they can use polyethylene (plastic) to line the inside of the planter, which can extend the life of the preserved wood and help keep the raised bed garden soil within the bed area.

Can you use wood for a garden bed?

Building a raised bed from wood is an affordable and easy way to start a kitchen garden. Wood is one of the least expensive materials, and it doesn’t require a lot of tools or skills. However, it’s important to consider that a raised bed is not a fence, as it’s exposed to weather and wet, heavy soil. While wood may not have the longevity of other building materials like stone and steel, choosing the right type of wood can ensure that you enjoy your raised bed for at least 10 years.

Is wood good for a garden?

Wood is a beneficial resource due to its high carbon content, which aids in nitrifying bacteria and feeding existing soil organisms. Properly aging wood fines and incorporating nitrogen can prevent nitrogen depletion, resulting in a vibrant soil environment that supports disease and pest-resistant plants. Wood is a renewable, local resource, grown for its wood through modern foresting practices, similar to planting orange trees in a field. We often purchase wood and plant material from orchards near our manufacturing plants, ensuring a sustainable and healthy environment for our planet.

Is it OK to build up soil around a tree?

Adding soil under the canopy can cause severe stress to established and mature trees, leading to declining and dead ones. However, soil addition does not always result in this, as the root system may be deep with few surface roots, young trees can tolerate root removal and soil addition better than mature trees, well-drained soil encourages a deeper root system, and some species tolerate grade changes better. Trees growing on clay soils or poorly drained sites are sensitive to changes in soil level, so it is recommended to consult a qualified consultant or certified arborist before proceeding.

Soil added should be coarser than the existing site soil to allow roots to grow, as air and water can easily penetrate it. If soil is finer, water and air can penetrate more difficultly, causing tree health to decline. Operating soil spreading equipment over roots can compact the soil and damage roots, so it is recommended to spread soil by hand to eliminate compaction and root damage under the canopy.

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.