Guide to Using Raised Beds in a Greenhouse

5 December 2022 | Matt

two raised beds in garden

Raised beds can be fantastic additions to yards and balconies whether you’re planting in or outside of a greenhouse. Raised beds enable you to plant herbs, spices and vegetables in a small area, and they're easy to set up.

Once you have set them up, you can start growing immediately. A raised bed allows you to start growing delicious greens whether you have a great deal of experience in this area or not.

What are the advantages of raised garden beds in a greenhouse

One of the main advantages of using a raised garden bed in a greenhouse is that it allows for better organisation. With a raised bed, it becomes easier to keep track of what you have planted and to group similar plants.

Another big benefit of using raised garden beds is that they make it even less likely that bugs will feed on your plants. If you keep your pots on the ground, there’s a chance that they could be invaded by ground bugs including slugs.

The higher your garden bed is, the greater the chances of gravity helping you drain your soil of excess water become. If you overwater your crops, they could easily be rendered useless. Raised beds reduce the chances of overwatering.

A raised bed can also help you to reduce your workload. There’s no denying that gardening can be tough work. However, raised beds can help you continue gardening even if you do have issues with your back or knees.

wooden raised bed

Are there any disadvantages to raised beds?

One of the drawbacks of using raised beds is the cost. Nonetheless, if you invest in a well-built raised bed, this can last for several years.

The vast majority of greenhouses are organised with shelves. If you opt for a blend of shelves and raised beds, you can make the most of the space that’s available to you. If you only use shelves, your crops won’t receive an equal amount of light.

Raised beds allow you to create consistent conditions for your plants, which can assist with growth. If you have a large greenhouse, you can place shelves on the side or sides and put one or two raised beds in the middle of your greenhouse. Just ensure there’s enough space to move around.

What are hoop houses?

Hoop houses are temporary greenhouses that you can make use of whilst growing your garden in the winter. They give you a warm temperature controlled for plants and ensure you have quality insulation during colder days.

Hoop houses are cheaper to build than conventional greenhouses. They just require PVC pipes, plastic sheeting, and some stakes.

To build your hoop houses, get the measurements that you need for the size you desire before planting the stakes alongside your raised beds. The PVC piping then needs to be bent and placed over your garden beds. Wrap the piping around with your plastic sheeting. Your hoop house can protect your plants from mild winter conditions.

If you do live in a location that only has mild winters, a hoop house could be ideal for your needs.

planting in raised beds

Planting in a raised bed

Almost anything can be grown in a raised bed. However, some plants really benefit from being grown in these conditions.

If you’re just getting started with raised beds, you could build a small herb garden. Herbs don’t require a great deal of space, so you can combine various types including chives, thyme, basil and more. Lettuce and spinach are ideal for raised beds as they require soil that isn’t too wet. Root vegetables like carrots and beets can also survive in these conditions.

Some plants need a lot of nutrients. These can include onions and tomatoes. You can provide a great deal of compost to help them thrive. Onions can be grown even better inside a raised bed as this extends your growing season.

Related:

What kind of raised bed do I require?

Most raised beds work well both inside and outside of greenhouses. They are normally made from metal or wood. Wooden raised beds can last for up to 15 years, but metal options can last for up to a quarter of a century. What’s also interesting is that there doesn’t tend to be a huge price difference between wooden and metal raised beds. If you prefer the industrial look, a metal raised bed could be right for you, whilst a wooden bed could be great if you want a natural appearance.

You also need to think about whether you want your raised garden bed to be elevated or not. Raised beds can be placed on the ground, though higher models are also useful. Elevated beds can be better for your backs and knees whilst helping you avoid problems with slugs.

However, if you need a particularly large raised bed, you will require a lower model. The elevated garden beds are more suitable for smaller surfaces.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our article on using raised beds in a greenhouse.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments, or contact us at support@swgreenhouses.co.uk