Four Advantages of Raised Garden Beds in Austin, Texas

In our home gardens and in the gardens we create for our clients throughout Austin and Central Texas, we only grow vegetables in raised garden beds. It makes it easier, makes it more fun, allows your plants to be healthier, which means fewer pest and better harvests.

Here are the 4 key reasons why you should use raised beds to grow fruits, veggies and herbs in our area:

1) Soil quality:

Here in Central Texas the soil is about 3-6 inches of very firm, thick clay, which means the nutrients are harder for your plants to absorb. Then under that clay is solid limestone rock, which means your plants do not have room for their roots to grow. Yes you can till and add 3-6 inches of compost in mounds on top of your native soil, but you will be doing that every year and we like to offer clients (and prefer for ourselves!) low-maintenance gardens. Filling a raised bed with the perfect, organic mix of soil meant for growing healthy vegetables and herbs avoids all that trouble.

2) Improved drainage:

Back to the problem of the heavy clay on top of rock as mentioned above, homegrown vegetable and herbs do not like “wet feet.” Water needs to come from the top of the soil and drip down with gravity. The plants need that downward motion with more moisture on the bottom and having it drain away in order to grow strong, branching root systems and avoid problems with fungus and stunted growth.

3) Better pest control:

The height of raised beds alone can avoid some pests (rabbits have a hard time climbing 2ft for example) and with the improved soil quality, structure and drainage as mentioned above, plants are generally happy and less stressed out. When plants are stressed they put out hormones that attract pests. Lower stress equals fewer pests. Also, the way we plant in our raised beds is not in rows like you might see on a farm. Raised beds offer you the space and ability to plant intensively, which means you fit a lot in a small space and you plant diversely, which can also reduce pest problems.

4) Functionality:

With everything in your reach, you can spend more time tending to your plants and less time trying to navigate your garden. Fewer hours bending over, tomatoes at eye-level, what is not to love? After 12 years of growing in three different homes in different climates and different stages of life (late 20s without kids or back problems versus 3 children and 12 years later) having a higher garden bed is a no brainer for me and it is for most of our older-then-late-20s clients.

Have a raised bed but need guidance?

If you already have the framework in place but require assistance with soil health and plant selection, hiring a garden consultant can provide valuable support. We can help ensure the right soil composition for optimal plant growth and guide you in creating a garden that is fruitful and abundant. If you have an existing garden with problems and need help, our Garden Assessment might just be perfect for you. If you do not have a raised bed garden that you love, consider a Home Consultation to get started. Book either by clicking below: