Elevate Your Garden with U Shaped Raised Beds with Fences

Growing your own fruits vegetables, and herbs is extremely rewarding. Not only do you get to enjoy the fresh taste of homegrown produce, but you also know exactly where your food is coming from and what inputs went into it. However, traditional in-ground gardening can be challenging due to poor soil quality drainage issues, bending over, and pest problems. This is where raised garden beds come in!

Raised beds lift your garden off the ground, providing better drainage and allowing you to fill the bed with quality soil. The height makes gardening more comfortable by reducing bending. Fencing around raised beds adds support and can help deter animal pests. U shaped raised beds with fences take these benefits even further!

In this article we will explore what makes u shaped raised garden beds with fences so great for home food production. We’ll cover

• Benefits of u shaped raised beds with fences
• Materials to build u shaped raised beds
• Where to place your u shaped raised bed
• What to grow in a u shaped raised bed
• Care and maintenance tips

Benefits of U Shaped Raised Beds with Fences

U-shaped raised beds with fences are great for growing things and keep animals away. A U-shaped raised bed gives you more room to plant than a rectangular one, so you can grow more food on a smaller area. The partial fencing makes it easy to get to one side while keeping pests out of the other three.

Specific advantages of u shaped raised garden beds with fences include:

• More planting space – The U shape surrounds a center planting area, maximizing space.
• Convenient access – The open side allows easy access for planting, weeding, and harvesting.
• Pest control – Fencing on 3 sides acts as a barrier to rabbits, deer, and other unwanted animals.
• Efficient watering – Grouped plants can be watered efficiently.
• Good for sloped sites – The U shape can level out on a mild slope.
• Eye-catching feature – Unique U shape stands out in the garden.

U-shaped raised beds are a productive and easy way to grow plants because they give you more space for your vegetables and herbs and keep animals away.

Choosing Materials for U Shaped Raised Beds

U shaped raised beds with fences can be made from timber, composite wood, plastic lumber, or other durable materials. The frame is typically wood while the fencing matches or uses a complimentary material.

Considerations for materials include:

• Wood – Cedar and redwood resist rot naturally, but any wood can be used with proper treatment. Wood brings a traditional look.
• Plastic lumber – Made from recycled materials, plastic lumber won’t rot or warp. It needs no treatment.
• Composite wood – Blends wood fibers and plastic for durability. Offers a wood-like appearance.
• Metal – Aluminum, galvanized steel, and powder-coated steel can be used. Long lasting but prone to sharp edges.
• Stone or masonry – Creates permanent raised beds. Easy to incorporate into hardscaping.
• Recycled plastic – Some companies offer raised beds made from recycled plastic jugs and containers.

The framing boards for a u shaped raised bed are commonly 2-3″ thick and 6-12″ tall. The fencing can be wood slats, wire fencing, plastic mesh, or another transparent material to provide visibility. Galvanized hardware prevents corrosion.

Consider durability, appearance, cost, and availability when choosing materials for your u shaped raised bed project.

Positioning Your U Shaped Raised Bed

When installing your u shaped raised bed, choose a spot that provides enough space for the size bed you want, at least 5-6 hours of daily sunlight, and easy access to water. Pay attention to:

• Sun exposure – Vegetables need lots of sun. Be sure the area is not shaded by trees or buildings.
• Soil quality – Native soil quality doesn’t matter as much since you’ll use potting mix to fill the bed. But very poor drainage could still affect the site.
• Slope – The U shape can help contain a gentle slope. Avoid steep slopes which could lead to erosion under the bed.
• Access – Place near a water source and where you can easily reach all sides. Leave room to walk between beds.
• Existing landscaping – Will the bed disrupt or enhance your existing hardscapes and plantings?

Site your u shaped raised bed in the most convenient spot that allows for ample sun exposure. An area near your house or frequently used outdoor living space works nicely.

What to Grow in a U Shaped Raised Bed

The extra room of a u shaped raised garden bed allows for ambitious planting! Take advantage by doing intensive gardening and filling every inch with productive plants.

Great options include:

• Vegetables – Plant short crops like lettuce and spinach in the center. Surround with tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, kale, beans, and other veggies.
• Herbs – Tuck herb plants throughout as companion plants. Basil, oregano, chives, and parsley grow well.
• Edible flowers – Add calendula, nasturtiums, and violas for color and eating.
• Fruits – Bush varieties of blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries can grow in a container inside the bed.
• Mix and match – Combine complementary plants for form and function. Radishes with lettuces, or beets with kale work nicely.

When planning planting schemes, remember to rotate annual crops each year and group plants with similar needs together. This allows you to target care and fertilization more efficiently.

Caring for Your U Shaped Raised Bed

U shaped raised beds are pretty low maintenance, but they do need some care and attention throughout the seasons. Follow these tips to keep your raised bed in top shape:

• Prep the bed – Remove grass or weeds. Add compost and mix in evenly before planting. Top off with 2-6 inches of quality potting mix.
• Fertilize – Use a balanced organic fertilizer at planting time and again midseason according to product instructions.
• Water – Raised beds dry out faster than in-ground beds. Plan to water most days, aiming for 1-2 inches per week.
• Mulch – Apply 2-4 inches of organic mulch like wood chips, straw, or leaves to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
• Edge – Keep the bed looking neat by edging along the sides periodically with a spade.
• Cover – Protect from heavy frost using cloches, cold frames, or fabric row covers.

A properly sited, built, and cared for u shaped raised bed with fencing will provide an abundant harvest! Be diligent about soil health, fertility, and moisture to keep plants happy and productive.

Get Growing in U Shaped Raised Beds

U shaped raised garden beds with fences are the ideal structure for opening up growing space while keeping critters at bay. Follow the planning, construction, and care tips above to create a thriving raised bed garden right in your own yard.

With the elevated design, enriched soil, and central access point of a u-shaped bed, growing vegetables, fruits, and flowers is made so much easier. The partial fencing lends built-in pest management. Your garden will look great and yield a bountiful harvest!

Be sure to choose quality materials and position your bed properly when installing u shaped raised beds. Maintain the soil health with compost, fertilizer, and mulch. A few hours of effort up front establishing your raised beds will reward you with years of gardening joy!