The Benefits of Low Raised Garden Beds and How to Make Your Own

Raised garden beds provide many advantages over traditional in-ground gardening. They improve drainage, reduce weed pressure, and make tending plants easier on your back. But sometimes, standard raised bed heights of 12-18 inches may be too high for those with mobility challenges or seniors. Enter the low raised garden bed. Ranging from just 3-8 inches tall, these accessible beds offer all the perks of raised bed gardening without difficult bending or kneeling.

What is a Low Raised Garden Bed?

A low raised bed is simply a garden bed that sits just a few inches above ground level. The slight elevation improves drainage while still allowing easy access. Low beds are often designed with the following features:

• Height of 3-8 inches above ground
• Made of rot-resistant wood, stone, or other lasting materials
• Filled with high-quality potting soil
• Integrated into landscape for a cohesive look
• Accessible from all sides or ends

The modest rise provides all the benefits of a traditional raised bed in a more manageable size Low beds are ideal for those with limited mobility as well as kids and seniors

Benefits of Low Raised Garden Beds

Compared to in-ground gardening, low raised beds offer many advantages:

• Reduced bending and kneeling for accessibility
• Better drainage and drier soil suited for many plants
• Easier weeding and maintenance
• Warms up faster in spring for earlier planting
• Extends season longer into fall due to warmth
• Keeps pathway between beds clean of mud
• Defined look for an organized garden
• Can be matched to hardscapes in design

Just a slight elevation yields big rewards for your garden!

Best Plants for Low Raised Beds

Many types of plants thrive in the improved soil and drainage of low raised beds. Consider growing:

• Leafy greens – Lettuces, spinach, kale, chard
• Herbs – Parsley, basil, oregano, rosemary
• Radishes, carrots, beets, turnips
• Strawberries, blueberries
• Flowers – Marigolds, zinnias, cosmos
• Shallow-rooted perennials – Dianthus, asters, sedum

Focus on plants that don’t require deep root space like tomatoes or squash. Shallow and compact varieties work best.

How to Build a Low Raised Garden Bed

Constructing your own low raised bed is an easy weekend project Follow these steps

Choose a Sunny, Level Location

Select a site that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Check that the ground is flat or gently sloped.

Decide on Dimensions

Standard widths are 2-4 feet across. Length can vary from 4-10 feet. Keep beds narrow enough to easily reach the center.

Build Side Walls

Use rot-resistant wood like cedar or redwood, stone, bricks, blocks, or metals. Avoid treated lumber.

Add Bottom (Optional)

Line inside of bed with hardware cloth to keep out burrowing pests. Top with weed barrier fabric.

Install Bed

Level the soil surface. Set bed in place and backfill gaps with soil. Make sure it’s stable.

Fill With Potting Mix

Use a quality organic mix amended with compost. Check drainage by watering thoroughly.

Add Plants!

You can either sow seeds directly or transplant seedlings. Add vertical supports as needed.

Finish With Mulch

Top off beds with 2-3 inches of organic mulch like wood chips to retain moisture.

Low Raised Bed Ideas and Inspirations

Here are some great examples of accessible low raised bed designs:

1. Classic Wooden Bed

A stylish raised bed that is only 5 inches off the ground is made from rot-proof cedar boards that are joined together with galvanized corners. It’s filled with pollinator-friendly flowers.

2. Matching Hardscapes

These narrow stone raised beds coordinate perfectly with the pea gravel pathways and home’s stone facade for a cohesive look.

3. Wheelchair-Accessible Gardens

Raised beds on legs bring the garden up to a comfortable height for gardening from a wheelchair, allowing for easy planting, tending and harvesting.

4. Tiered Beds

Low beds built in stair-step fashion create visual interest while remaining an ideal and manageable garden height.

5. Kids’ Garden

A simple cinder block raised bed lets kids garden at their level, encouraging hands-on learning.

6. Repurposed Dresser Bed

An antique dresser laid on its back transforms into a charming vertical garden for herbs and flowers. Just add legs to boost height.

Get creative with materials and designs, but keep accessibility and ease of care in mind. A low raised bed lets you reap a bountiful harvest with less effort.

Caring for Your Low Raised Bed

Low raised beds are easy to maintain using these tips:

• Water beds regularly until plants are established. Then water when soil dries out.

• Replenish mulch as needed to control weeds and retain moisture.

• Fertilize organically with compost or fish emulsion every 4-6 weeks.

• Remove spent plants promptly and replace with new crops for nonstop harvests.

• Control pests like aphids by handpicking, using row covers, or spraying insecticidal soap.

• At end of season, pull all plant debris and add fresh compost to rejuvenate soil.

With proper care, your low raised bed will provide many years of successful gardening enjoyment!

DIY Low Raised Garden Bed Plans

If building your own accessible raised bed interests you, be sure to check out these step-by-step plans for inspiration:

• Low Raised Garden Bed with Legs – This 3-foot by 6-foot cedar bed sits atop cedar legs for waist-high accessibility.

• Cinder Block Low Bed – An affordable and easy beginner raised bed project using cinder blocks.

• Low Raised Bed with Trellis -Includes a handy bamboo trellis insert for climbing vines.

• Tiered Low Beds – Create graduated levels in your garden for visual interest and increased planting space.

• Cedar Low Box Bed – Rot-resistant cedar makes a long-lasting 5-inch deep accessible garden bed.

The right plans can help you DIY a raised bed tailored to your space and needs. Have fun designing and creating your own low raised bed gardening oasis!