Raised beds for Ohio?

[MamaHawk]

Hi all,

My husband has taken an interest in raised beds, and we're thinking of using them as a sort of fence to hedge off our corner lot from the sidewalk. The beds would be in almost total sun, safely from 10-6 at least, and on a hill, meaning (theoretically) they'd not retain water (good and bad). My question is, A: would it be better to do in-ground beds and just fence them off there? B: if we do raised beds, what kind of material (wood, metal, plastic) would you recommend for that kind of exposure?

Thanks!
Hawk

 

[Oliver Buckle]

What sort of soil do you have? If there is decent soil things will probably do better in the ground, if it is rubbish you can fill a raised bed with something decent and it will probably do better.
The main difference between being in the ground or being in a raised bed is one of constancy. A wall made of wood is permeable to water, so the bed may dry out. One made of metal won't lose water, but will heat when the sun is full on it and lose heat at night, I guess plastic depends which it is and how thick. Most plants though like constancy.
A good compromise is a layer of paper or cardboard and a bed that is not raised very high. That should stop weeds, but allow the roots to penetrate to the soil, depending what you plant, and not separate the ground from the bed too much so moisture and temperature remain more constant, a few inches should provide a psycholigical barrier that would stop people stepping up onto the bed.
Moisture retention is as much to do with the nature of the soil as the slope in my experience, unless it is extreme. Plenty of organic material helps, and that also goes fo a thick layer of cardboard, I put wood in the bottom myself, with good results, avoid anything treated, and am gradually replacing walls with banks of clay sub soil.

 

[MamaHawk]

What sort of soil do you have? If there is decent soil things will probably do better in the ground, if it is rubbish you can fill a raised bed with something decent and it will probably do better.
The main difference between being in the ground or being in a raised bed is one of constancy. A wall made of wood is permeable to water, so the bed may dry out. One made of metal won't lose water, but will heat when the sun is full on it and lose heat at night, I guess plastic depends which it is and how thick. Most plants though like constancy.
A good compromise is a layer of paper or cardboard and a bed that is not raised very high. That should stop weeds, but allow the roots to penetrate to the soil, depending what you plant, and not separate the ground from the bed too much so moisture and temperature remain more constant, a few inches should provide a psycholigical barrier that would stop people stepping up onto the bed.
Moisture retention is as much to do with the nature of the soil as the slope in my experience, unless it is extreme. Plenty of organic material helps, and that also goes fo a thick layer of cardboard, I put wood in the bottom myself, with good results, avoid anything treated, and am gradually replacing walls with banks of clay sub soil.

I haven't tested my soil, that's probably a good first step. The constancy is something I do worry about, so a lower bed seems smart; I think we've seen the big old tub-beds that make for much less leaning-down, which would be nice, but we're of the age we can handle it still, plus it is likely to be better for the plants. Thank you!

 

[GFTL]

Wood beds can be attractive if done right and if they absorb water it's only because there's more than the soil needs and when the soil dries out that wicking can work both ways. I'd build them at least high enough to designate you should walk over them.

 

[Charlie 001]

One word …. Hugelkultur….
Raised beds as a boundary from the sidewalk is a great idea. The materials used to build them is pretty much cosmetic. I would avoid plastic only because it’s plastic. If it’s in full sun consider how hot it will get and how high you want them

One thing no one has mentioned yet. And I would consider it a very important thing What plants do you want?.. cos I think that will influence what you do

Have I mentioned Hugelkultur? If your hubby has taken an interest in raised beds this will blow his mind

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Have I mentioned Hugelkultur?

I am on heavy clay, so I take off the top soil, then use the clay underneath around the edge of the bed, put wood in the bottom of the hole and compost on top of that, then replace the top soil adding various nice things. The hole in the clay seems to make a pool if I do it in wet weather, so I guess the wood gets well wet. It certainly kept those beds reasonably moist in last summer's drought when things died in the beds I hadn't done. The earth wall is a bit thicker, it grasses over in time, but I find I can grow primroses and wild strawberries on it very successfully as well, and I reckon six or eight inches of clay is probably better than any wood, metal or plastic.

 

[Meadowlark]

Yes, Hugenkultur is a good way to go and it can be very effective in large containers. Those containers can be made to look aesthetically pleasing for those that care about that...I only care about about growing nutritious food.

One word …. Hugelkultur….

See the thread from over two years ago in which I tested it out on containers, successfully, I might add as the data shows.

An experiment in Hugelkulture in containers

I desire to garden and specifically raise vegetables for the duration of my life. I recognize that someday I will not be able to do that in my current large garden. Hence, this experiment to determine the feasibility of Hugelkulture in containers. Two control plants and two hugelkulture plants...

www.gardening-forums.com

 

[Oliver Buckle]

See the thread from over two years ago

Wow! Don't time just fly by?

 

[Meadowlark]

Yes, the older I get the faster it seems to fly by.