Composite Curved Raised Garden Beds - Frame It All (2024)

FAQs

Is composite good for raised garden beds? ›

All in all, composite decking for raised beds is a great option for anyone looking for a long-lasting, low-maintenance solution.

Durable GreenBed's patented, recycled, wood-cement composite panel material lasts 20-25 years, looking great, year after year. Save time and energy.

The Disadvantages of Raised Beds

They heat up more and dry out a lot faster than level ground, which can be a big disadvantage in very hot or dry climates. They can cost a lot of money to create the frames, and fill the beds with soil, especially if you choose to use Mel's Mix (square foot gardening potting soil).

If you love gardening but struggle with limited space or poor soil quality, a raised garden bed might be just what you need! Raised garden beds are containers made from wood, metal, or even Trex deck boards that hold soil above ground level. They offer several benefits over traditional in-ground gardening.

The cons of raised beds

Use rot-resistant wood if you go with boards and figure even those eventually will have to be replaced. The soil mix also can be a significant, albeit one-time, expense. Raised beds need water more often since the soil is more exposed to air and dries quicker.

Pine and other less expensive wood materials can have a lifespan of less than five years, while metal beds are easy to install and will last over 30 years with proper care, depending on the kind of metal. The downside of metal beds is that they can be expensive to build.”

In general, with proper maintenance, the soil in a raised bed can last for many years. Here are some guidelines for how long raised bed soil can remain viable: Soil that is well-maintained and regularly amended with organic matter can last for up to 10 years or more.

The Best Height for Raised Beds

Keep in mind that beds 18 inches deep or more will have better drainage than shorter beds. While most plants don't need anything deeper than 18 inches, I prefer beds that are two feet deep (24 inches). The extra height is mostly just for the ease and convenience of the gardener.

Beds off the ground and supported by legs are built or manufactured with a bottom. We recommend lining this space with a permeable material (like a weed mat or landscape fabric) to help preserve the structure and prevent soil loss when watering.

Best placement and size for raised beds

Raised beds can be any shape or size, provided the site where you place them gets six to eight hours of sunlight a day, unless the plants you intend to grow are shade lovers. Those standard rectangular beds are generally three to four feet wide by six to eight feet long.

What do you line the bottom of a raised bed with? ›

Newspaper or Cardboard

Even simple, cheap materials can block weed growth from below your garden beds. You can simply lay them on the ground before setting your garden beds on top of them.

Composite boards have several benefits over wood and is the perfect material for garden beds. Using composite for your garden beds will ensure they will stand the test of time, providing an ideal home for your vegetables, variety of flowers or outdoor plants.

Raised garden beds can be constructed from a variety of safe and sustainable materials. Cedar or redwood are two great options for wood as they are naturally rot-resistant and won't leach harmful chemicals into the soil.

Layers of yard debris, such as grass clippings, sticks, branches, trimmings, and leaves, can be beneficial when filling a raised bed for several reasons: Organic Matter: Yard debris is rich in organic matter, which helps to improve soil structure and fertility over time as it decomposes.