Ground contact: should a raised bed be built on stilts?

Raised beds are usually always in contact with the ground. If no soil is available, the question arises whether a raised bed on stilts can be used just as effectively.

Raised bed on stilts possible?

A raised bed on stilts or feet without ground contact can be implemented without any problems if you rethink a little. Raised beds need to be in contact with the ground so that microorganisms can get into the layers and work. This improves the quality of the substrate and vegetables and other heavy consumers benefit from the concept in particular. This is exactly where the problem lies with raised beds that do not come into contact with the ground. The space below is limited and closed, which means that the necessary layers such as the clippings cannot be filled in. You need to view such a raised bed as a planter and not as a direct replacement for a vegetable patch. For this reason, they can be used on the balcony, terrace or in the courtyard. They are available in two versions:

• Table beds
• Vertical raised beds

A table bed is quite high and at first glance reminds you of a table with plants. That makes them very popular. Vertical raised beds, on the other hand, offer several compartments for the plants, which are attached one above the other. The ground is also not touched with these. Table beds are particularly recommended for terraces and larger plots without free ground, while vertical raised beds can easily be placed on the smallest of balconies. Before you buy, you should know about the disadvantages and advantages of raised beds on stilts.

Note: If you decide on a bed with feet on your balcony, you should only use the types mentioned. Due to their low weight, they do not endanger the statics.

disadvantage

Of course, raised beds on stilts have certain disadvantages that you should be aware of before using them. The biggest problem is the limited selection of plants that you can cultivate in the raised beds. Due to the lower height, no deep-rooted plants can be grown, which makes many types of vegetables such as carrots or radishes unsuitable. Only the following groups are suitable:

• Shallow root
• Mid-root
• Herbs
• flower

Due to the limited number of cultivable plants, such a bed is not ideal for everyone. There are also other points that compare to a classic raised bed are significantly less favorable:

• tends to waterlogging (if constructed incorrectly)
• regular fertilization required
• more sensitive to heat

As you can see, these problems overlap with those of conventional container planting. This is exactly what makes a raised bed on stilts not ideal for every gardener. Make sure that your bed has effective drainage, otherwise the water will not be able to drain away. Either select a model that already has deduction options or you can integrate them yourself. In addition to the already mentioned drainage fleece, several drainage holes on the sides are suitable. Alternatively, you can cover the bed so that no additional rainwater is administered. A suitable substrate for the beds is so-called raised bed soil. It is specially designed for use in beds without contact with the ground, which offsets one of the biggest negative points.

Note: If deer could regularly get lost in your garden, you should provide the beds with additional protection. Due to the easy accessibility, your plants are found food for the game.

advantages

Raised beds that do not depend on ground contact have enough positives, despite the negative aspects, to make the idea interesting for many plant lovers. In any case, the low space requirement that the raised beds have to be mentioned here. Since they stand on stilts, you can stow utensils, materials or other planters under the raised bed. Especially with regard to small plots, terraces and balconies, the space savings are immense, which makes their use in urban areas more and more common. Other positive aspects are:

• low acquisition costs
• easy construction
• transportable
• Wintering measures as with classic raised beds

If you are considering using any of the types above, you don't need to purchase this one. Due to the simple construction, you can build the bed yourself. Basically, it only consists of the following components, which is another benefit for plant lovers without a proper garden:

• crate
• four stilts
• Bottom with drainage holes
• optional: drainage fleece

Each stilt is attached to one of the corners, the floor is equipped with drainage holes and the bed is ready. Since no classic layers are possible, the selected substrate is poured in and the plants are planted. Depending on the substrate used, compost can be mixed in to improve the structure and provide the crops with sufficient nutrients.

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