Last time we discussed how to build a raised bed and which height would be best suited for your needs. So this time I would like to make a few suggestions about what to grow in it.
The beauty of having a raised bed is that the soil put into the bed can be better than you may have in your garden, here I am thinking cold wet clay can be changed for a much better open crumb structure.
For more details of the soil to place into the bed, please see here. With a raised bed you do not walk on it and so save soil compaction and the need for digging. If you need to be on top of the raised bed for picking soft fruit for example then I suggest placing a plank across the bed resting on the sides and then use that to get access to the plants.
Read on for suggestions on what to grow
Continued
First you need to think about the site for the proposed raised bed, for example will it be next to a building or a wall? If so and you want to grow some plants that have a high water requirement then because the building or wall will act as a barrier to getting rain to fall on the bed you may have to water more often. This is due to the bed being in the ‘rain shadow’ of the wall etc. If you want to grow alpines then this could be an ideal site. Also on what surface do I place the raised bed? If it is going on soil or grass then you need not worry about drainage from the bed. If it is going to be placed on a hard surface and the hard surface is already laid then you will need to think about adding some drainage outlet to allow excess water to escape from the bottom of the bed.