Building and planting a raised bed

In short: A raised bed is an elevated bed with several layers (branches, leaves, compost, soil). It warms quickly, spares the back and yields early crops.

In more detail: As the lower layers rot, heat is generated and nutrients are released. In the first year heavy feeders therefore grow especially well.

In detail

• Dimensions: Height 80 to 100 cm, width at most 120 cm so you can reach from both sides.
• Material: Untreated wood (larch, Douglas fir), stone, metal. No impregnated railway sleepers.
• Layers: At the bottom branches and shrub cuttings, then leaves and grass clippings, then semi-ripe compost, soil on top.
• Planting: Year 1 heavy feeders (cabbage, pumpkin, tomatoes), year 2 medium feeders, year 3 light feeders.
• Protection: Vole mesh at the bottom.
• Settling: The filling sinks; top up with compost annually (kompost-anlegen, tomaten-anbauen).