Gardening in raised beds is one of the most common ways to grow food for the home gardener. Using this method provides many benefits, the primary one being soil control. This is especially beneficial if you currently have less than ideal soil in your backyard.
But are there practices you can put in place that can help or hinder your efforts. In a word, yes.
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Over the past 10 years, I’ve grown plants in raised beds, and it seems like I add another one every year. I have built 19 raised beds so far and counting over the years. During that time, I have learned what works best and what not to do. Prefer to watch? Click on the video above.
Raised garden beds have become increasingly popular over the last decade allowing home gardeners to grow vegetables herbs, and flowers with ease. But one key question arises when constructing raised beds – what is the optimal height? I dug into the research to determine the best height for raised beds based on key factors like plant needs, ergonomics, and cost.
Why Grow in Raised Beds?
Before diving into ideal raised bed heights, it’s worth reviewing why raised beds are so advantageous for home food production:
- Improved drainage and fewer weeds compared to traditional in-ground gardening
- Enable gardeners to thoroughly amend and enrich soil with compost and nutrients
- Allow for more intensive planting in less space
- Reduce bending and strain with waist-level access
- Provide vertical root space for plants if beds are sufficiently deep
- Extend the growing season earlier into spring and later into fall given warmer soil temps
The Ideal Raised Bed Height Depends On Your Plants
The optimum raised bed height is largely dictated by the root depths of the vegetables and plants you want to grow. Here are typical raised bed height recommendations based on plants:
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Leafy Greens (lettuce, spinach, kale) – 12 to 18 inches: Leafy greens have short roots so they thrive in shallower raised beds of 1 to 1.5 feet.
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Root Crops (carrots, radishes, beets) – 12 to 18 inches: These rooting veggies need loose, deep soil so benefit from at least 12 inches of depth.
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Peppers and Eggplant – 12 to 18 inches: These veggies are content with 12 to 18 inches of raised bed height.
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Tomatoes – 18 to 24 inches Indeterminate tomato varieties especially appreciate extra rooting depth of around 2 feet,
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Cucumbers, Melons, & Squash – 18 to 24 inches: Give large vining plants ample room to spread their roots with deeper beds.
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Potatoes – 12 inches: Grow potatoes directly in the ground, not raised beds.
Factoring In Ergonomics
Beyond plant needs, the height of your raised beds should enable comfortable access, especially if you have back or knee issues.
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For standing access: Beds 18 to 24 inches high allow for easy reach without excessive bending.
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For seated access: Beds 24 to 30 inches high work nicely for reaching and planting from a seated position.
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For wheelchairs: Extra tall beds of 36 inches provide suitable accessibility.
Other Considerations for Raised Bed Height
A few other factors to keep in mind when choosing raised bed height include:
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Critter control: Rabbit fencing or chicken wire around 18 to 24 inch beds helps deter small animal pests. Go higher for excluding larger pests.
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Kid-friendly gardening: Shorter beds around 10 to 12 inches high give kids access. Place stools nearby for adults.
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Aesthetic appeal: Match raised bed heights with surrounding structures for a cohesive look.
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Expense: More materials are needed for taller raised beds, increasing costs.
The Best Raised Bed Height: A Recommendation
Taking all variables into account, I recommend a raised bed height of approximately 24 inches for most homeowners. This provides adequate space for tomato, pepper, cucumber and other vegetable roots to expand while keeping beds manageable for weeding, harvesting, and planting.
Beds in the 24 inch range are also well-suited for standing access without excessive bending. And they can deter smaller animal pests when secured with barriers. 24 inch raised beds balance the ideal conditions for growing a diversity of vegetables with practical considerations of cost, ergonomics, and appearance.
Of course, feel free to adjust heights based on your individual physical needs and preferred vegetables. The beauty of raised beds lies in their versatility – they can be adapted to meet the needs of each gardener. Just keep the key factors of plant roots, ergonomics, and practical concerns in mind when designing your perfect raised bed height. Your vegetables will thank you!
Do Consider Bed Height
There isn’t a right height or a wrong height for your raised bed garden. Instead, it’s more of a consideration of your goals and what works best for you. I have raised beds that range from 8 inches tall to 30 inches tall. I think my favorite height is about 15 inches, but let’s talk about some things first so that you can figure out what your ideal height might be.
Don’t Be Afraid To Use Treated Lumber
Even though I love Birdie’s Raised Beds, I also build my own raised beds out of wood for different reasons. If you look online, you will see people cautioning you to not use treated lumber. Prior to 2003, arsenic was used in the process to treat lumber, but that has since been discontinued. Now copper is used instead. From what I’ve learned and what I personally think, I think that if there was a problem with too much copper getting into your plants, you would be able to see it on the plant before you ate any fruit it had grown.
A few things to keep in mind, though: this is just my opinion, and I like how it saves me money. Essentially, I can grow more food in more raised beds compared to spending more for rot-resistant lumber. But this is a personal choice. I suggest doing your own research and decide what you’re comfortable with.
How Tall Should Your Raised Garden Beds Be?
FAQ
How high should my raised garden bed be?
What is the best depth for a raised bed?
Can you grow vegetables in 6 inches of soil?
How high should a raised bed be?
Sure, you’ll initially put money and effort into construction and soil, but the benefits tend to outweigh the start-up pains. Height: Optimal raised bed height is often debated, but from my experience, a solid 12-24 inches high strikes the right balance, making sure you’re not stooping or stretching too much.
How deep should a raised garden bed be?
14in raised bed height: Shrubs, perennials, creeping fruits and veg tends to need a minimum depth of 12in, so your raised bed will need to be around 14in tall, upwards. 27in raised bed height: Other plants, such as globe artichokes, need a depth of at least 25in for their roots, so look to make your raised garden bed at least 27in deep, upwards.
How big should a raised bed be for a kitchen garden?
While few kitchen garden plants need more than 15 to 18 inches for their roots, you might find that working in a 2-foot-tall raised bed is more comfortable or accessible. This is especially true if you have back or knee problems or any kind of mobility limitation.
What happens if a raised garden bed is too tall?
Raised garden beds that are too tall may impede proper drainage, leading to waterlogged soil and root rot. On the other hand, beds that are too short may not provide enough space for excess water to drain away. Soil Quality: The height of the raised garden bed can influence the quality of the soil.
How tall should a garden bed be?
‘The height of the bed can vary from 6 to 36in, with the most common choice being about 18in, which is knee height,’ says Steve Bradley, gardening expert from Amateur Gardening. ‘It can be made of brick, metal, plastic or wood. Many ready-to assemble kits are made from wood, but you can also use railway sleepers or boards.
Are raised garden beds better than in-ground gardens?
Studies have shown that raised garden beds can yield up to four times more produce than traditional in-ground gardens. The controlled environment of a raised bed allows for better soil quality, drainage, and pest control, resulting in higher productivity.