Workable Position to Place the Metal Raised Garden Beds
Details for how to place the metal raised garden beds. As we all know, metal garden beds have high adaptability; they can be placed on concrete, on grass, on sand, or even on gravel. That's why, nowadays, more and more people choose to use them in the backyard. In this article, let's go further and talk about the best position to place the metal garden beds.
Where to place the metal raised garden beds?
The metal raised garden beds could be placed on concrete, grass, soil, rocks, gravel, or fallen leaves. In general, as long as the garden bed can be placed firmly, that is enough. It’s recommended to place some gravel at the bottom of the raised garden bed or surround the garden bed, no matter where to place the metal garden bed. This method can be effective for weed control. You will see the result as time goes on.
Read more: How to fill the metal raised garden beds?
Place the garden bed on the concrete ground
We don't need to worry about weeds growing around the garden beds if we put them directly on the concrete ground. And after being exposed to sunlight, the concrete floor will warm up the soil in the garden bed, accelerating plant growth, especially in the spring and winter. But what if the weed seeds are carried into the garden bed by birds? That's how mulch works. You can read about our multiple choices for applying organic mulch.
Tips: 17-inch or 32-inch-tall metal garden beds can apply to this method. An 8-inch tall metal garden bed is not recommended to place directly on the concrete or rocks if you plan to grow long roots plants. While if you plan to grow short-roots plants like herbs and verbena, they can be.
Place the garden bed on the soil
Putting the garden beds on soil or grass is the most popular method for gardeners because it allows the microbes in the garden bed to exchange with the microbes in the grass or soil and the plant roots can also grow downward. However, if you need to put it directly on the grass, be aware that the grass at the bottom may have a potential pest and disease hazard, so remove the original grass first.
Place the garden bed on the leaves
If you have a big garden, you may consider placing the metal garden beds under the tree, where there are a lot of fallen leaves. That is a good choice, as the fallen leaves and wood are natural fertilizers for plants after fermentation. Beware that the fallen leaves may have the disease, so check them out before you place your garden bed.
Placing the garden bed on the fallen leaves is the easiest way to provide nutrients to the bed. Most gardeners like to fill metal garden beds with fallen leaves, which are effective in retaining soil moisture and improving soil fertility as they decompose.
Factors to consider when placing a metal garden bed
Sunlight exposure
The first thing to consider, no matter where it is placed, is sunlight. Light is essential for most plants, including fruits, flowers, vegetables, and grains, and sun-loving plants require 6 hours or more of direct sunlight per day. So choose a place without tree shading or surrounded by houses where the beds can't get the sunlight.
Location
It is not a good idea to place a garden bed in a vent or in a low, wet area. If you put the beds in those places, you may consider that a strong wind can easily blow off the branches and leaves on the garden beds. And also, the low, wet area can easily cause water to stagnate or the soil to stay soggy. So, choosing a broad and dry area is the best option.
Water source
In general, we can choose to water manually by the kettle, or we can install an irrigation system or pull the pipe to water. But either way, being relatively close to the water source is more convenient for irrigation, isn't it?
Pest problems
We don't have to worry about the remaining pest problems on the ground if it's placed on concrete. However, if it is placed on soil or grass, it is necessary to consider whether there has previously been a pest problem in this location and before placing a garden bed over it, cleaning that area of weeds is effective in inhibiting the pest problem. If you've had this problem before, think about changing the location or fixing the issue before putting the garden bed on it.
Conclusion
For most of raised garden bed, it doesn't matter where they are placed as long as they are securely placed. Some of these restrictions are for the gardener's future convenience and efficiency.
Infographics for placing the metal raised garden bed
