What effect does a raised flower bed have on your small garden?

Raised flower beds are very popular. If you go by the gardening shows on TV, you might even think that a raised flower bed is the standard for every garden… But why are raised flower beds so popular? What are the benefits of a raised flower bed in a small garden?

Why choose a raised flower bed?

Amid the greenery

Perhaps the biggest advantage—or the greatest added value—of a raised flower bed is that it places you right in the middle of the greenery. A raised flower bed next to the patio or a seating area ensures that you’re surrounded by greenery. This way, you can experience plants, flowers, and small creatures at sitting height or even at eye level.

More privacy

An added benefit of a seating area among the plants is that it gives you more privacy and blocks the view from outside. That is, if you choose shrubs, taller perennials, or ornamental grasses for your raised border. Of course, you could also plant a (trained) tree or small tree.

More spacious

A well-placed raised flower bed can also make your garden appear more spacious. The use of height and variations in elevation in the garden visually expand its space.

Multifunctional

A raised flower bed is a great spot for a permanent seating area or a garden bench. Or choose a wide border so you can sit on it. That way, you can make your raised flower bed multifunctional.

Another great addition to a raised flower bed: a mini pond! That way, you can clearly see all the little creatures that come to the water. Wonderful! Or incorporate an insect hotel into your flower bed.

Easier to maintain

Garden maintenance is also easier with a raised garden bed. You no longer have to get down on your knees to pull weeds; instead, you can work comfortably at a comfortable height. With a wide border, you can even do your gardening tasks while sitting down.

Gardening on Paved Surfaces

Do you have a patio or garden without open ground? Or do you want to brighten up a paved area? Then create a raised flower bed on top of the pavement. This is an easy way to make a colorful flower bed. Just make sure to provide good drainage; otherwise, it will turn into a pond over time…

Additional drainage

Water drains much faster in a raised garden bed. If you don’t make the edge of the bed watertight (a sturdy edge with a few cracks and seams looks best anyway AND is good for insects). The improved drainage is ideal for many Mediterranean plants such as lavender, Mediterranean herbs, jasmine, fig, and olive trees. It’s perfect if, for example, you have heavy clay soil that stays wet for a long time in the winter but you still want to enjoy these types of plants.

Of course, extra drainage is also a drawback, especially in the summer. Plants will dry out more quickly and will need extra water sooner. For that reason, drought-tolerant plants are perfect for this border.

Choosing Soil

You can also decide for yourself what kind of soil to add to your raised border. Garden soil or potting soil are the obvious choices, but are you a fan of rhododendrons, hydrangeas, heather, or other acid-loving plants? If so, fill this border partly with garden peat or a peat substitute. This way, you can create the desired acidic soil if you don’t already have it.

Benefits of a Raised Flower Bed

Here’s a list of all the benefits of a raised garden bed in your small garden:

• A more immersive garden experience, right in the heart of nature and surrounded by plants and flowers
• Plants and flowers at seat/eye level
• More privacy/less visibility when combined with shrubs and taller plants
• Differences in elevation create a sense of space
• A nice spot for a permanent seating area, a mini pond, or an insect hotel
• Easier to maintain (better working height)
• Opportunity to garden on hard ground/paved surfaces
• Better drainage; ideal for Mediterranean plants
• Choose your own soil: for example, add well-drained soil to clay soil, or alkaline soil to acidic soil

Disadvantages

• Your border dries out faster
• More straight lines in your garden (although, of course, you can also choose a rounded or organic shape for your raised bed)

Are you a fan of raised flower beds?

Do you have one in your garden? We'd love to know!