Raised bed
The raised bed becomes high thanks to the stacking of rich materials in different layers. Those who want to use a raised bed to grow vegetables should plan for five floors. "For raised beds primarily used for herbal and/or ornamental plants, the scheme is simplified,"
In this case, only three different layers are required.
Overhead bedspread
A raised bed can also easily be turned into a cold frame - for example, an old window can be used as a cover.
Advantages of loft beds
Not only does a raised bed look beautiful, it also provides perfect conditions for plants in a small garden. Through different layers, herbs, flowers or vegetables get the best nutrient supply. Whether you choose a decorative bed or a functional bed is entirely up to your taste.
One of the advantages of a loft bed is that it is much easier to work on the back than with a "regular" bed on the ground. "You don't have to bend your knees to stand up and work comfortably," says BAYERN1 plant expert Karin Greiner. Another advantage is that you can reach the raised bed from all directions and identify potential problems or infestations faster.
The decay of layered material generates heat, while the different layers provide plants with particularly high levels of nutrients. "As a result, I can harvest about three times as much from a raised bed as a regular bed," says plant expert Greiner. But high nutrient density also ensures that you can grow plants that are denser than regular beds.
fill up the loft bed
The layers need to be placed on a raised bed from the bottom up:
Vole Grid: Grid protects soil and plants from rodents and other invaders.
Rough shears: such as twigs and shrub waste, about 25 to 30 cm high. They provide good ventilation and prevent standing water.
Sawdust: Shredded material about 15 to 20 cm high, such as branches, finely cut hedge trimmings and chopped bush residues. This layer forms a kind of barrier and prevents the upper layer from slipping through.
Rotten manure or coarse compost: The layer is about 20-30 cm high and provides plenty of rot heat and nutrients.
Rotten compost: A height of about 10 cm is sufficient for this layer, which provides a lot of nutrients.
Soil/Plant Substrate: You can fill this layer to the top. It is the top layer and is used for planting.
Raised bed in winter
At the latest, when the last cabbage plant clears the raised bed in late winter, it will catch your attention: the fill level of the bed has sagged and the surface has sunk by 10 to 20 cm due to the decay process of the lower layers. If you haven't harvested your raised bed and refilled it with soil in the fall, the start of spring is a great time to do so.
Refill loft bed
To refill your raised bed, start by pushing away the top layer of finely divided soil. Then shovel in compost or even seasoned horse manure (just check a nearby stable), spread it out, and push the potting soil back on top until smooth. If you don't have your own compost, you can buy it at a garden center; or, more simply, buy a compost soil mix and pour it directly onto your raised bed.
Tip: If year-round mulching, i.e. covering the soil with plant material (grass clippings, leaves, vegetable scraps, etc.), new humus will form and the bagging effect will be reduced.
