Raised Garden Bed Ideas for Fall

Whether you’re searching for the perfect decorative feature or the best way to grow your favorite seasonal fruits and vegetables, raised garden bed ideas could be what your landscape is missing this fall.

Both simple prefab kits and elaborate homemade designs offer excellent spaces for cultivating crops. So, it’s time to pull out your landscaping plans and sketch your layout because we have a ton of raised garden bed ideas for fall!

Benefits of raised garden beds

You’ll find plenty of reasons to add raised beds to your garden. From small, modern plots to large, sprawling designs, you can build them to meet your specific needs. Here are some of the other perks to look forward to:

Better drainage

Read the label on nearly any potted plant, and it will likely say it thrives in well-drained soil. While there are some exceptions to this principle, most plants — especially those in your garden — can’t tolerate wet roots for very long before rotting. A raised bed can ensure all that water has somewhere to go.

Raised garden beds are particularly beneficial in areas with high amounts of clay in the soil or areas that experience heavy rainfall.

Better soil quality

With raised beds, you also control the overall quality of your soil. You can add garden soil and compost, worm castings, and other amendments to create the perfect mix for your crops.

Weed and pest control

Raised garden beds can keep certain pests, such as rabbits and squirrels, from having easy access to your plants.

Additionally, many weeds will need to travel farther to establish themselves among your crops. That said, you’ll still want to remove or cover grass and other weeds beneath your beds before you fill them with soil. 

More accessible

Tall planters can make it much easier to tend to your garden. Without having to kneel, crouch, or bend down, you might spend more time in the backyard doing what you love. 

Longer growing season

Raised beds typically warm up quickly in the spring and retain heat longer than the soil beneath your feet. By separating your planting area from the ground, you’ll enjoy a longer growing season and more fruits of your labor. 

What to plant in your raised garden bed

Certain crops grow particularly well in raised beds, while others tend to prefer fewer constraints. Here are some of the best plants to cultivate in elevated plots:

Fruits and vegetables

Many root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and onions will thrive in raised beds that are at least 12 to 18 inches deep. Since you control the growing medium and raised beds naturally have less compacted soil, these veggies will likely do well here.

Other options include leafy greens, determinate tomatoes, squash, zucchini, and strawberries. Try to avoid planting particularly heavy crops like pumpkins and watermelons that may strain your infrastructure or become root-bound. 

Herbs

Culinary herbs are an excellent option for raised garden beds. They also tend to be very adaptable. For example, you could build a single bed for your herbs that you place near the kitchen for accessibility. Or you can simply intersperse these plants with your other crops. 

Flowers

While we’ve been focusing on edible plants so far, we can’t forget to mention raised flower beds for an aesthetic touch to your garden space. Consider planting beneficial bloomers like nasturtiums, marigolds, and chamomile to attract pollinators and lure pests from your main crops.

Ideas for starting a raised garden bed

Whether you want a quick and easy setup right out of the box or you prefer to construct a DIY masterpiece, we have some tips to help you pick the best option: 

Pre-built kits

Take a stroll through your local home improvement store, and you’ll find ready-made raised bed kits just waiting for assembly. Depending on the size, they often start around $100. They might be made of natural or synthetic materials, including wood, corrugated metal, or sturdy plastic.

Pre-built kits are a great way for novice gardeners to get started without devoting a ton of time and resources to a lengthy construction project. 

Recycled pallets

Folks who’d rather customize their raised beds can build on a budget with recycled pallets. All you have to do is remove the lightweight, pre cut boards with the claw end of a hammer, then construct the plots to your specifications.

However, it’s important to note that some pallets may have been used to transport toxic materials. Furthermore, it may be hard to tell how the original manufacturers treated the wood used to make your pallets. If you’re unsure of their origin, you may want to use these materials for ornamental beds rather than edible crops.

Many consider raw cedar the gold standard for building raised beds, but it can be much more expensive than other options. 

Stones or pavers

Pavers and landscape stones can also be used to build cheap, upcycled raised garden beds. They form sturdy, durable frames, especially when kept low to the ground. You can even make a tiered plot or herb spiral with these items. 

Find all your raised bed supplies at Whitwam Organics!

At Whitwam Organics, we’re passionate about helping new and experienced gardeners succeed! We carry a wide variety of plants and seeds, as well as soil amendments and pest control supplies to ensure a productive growing season.

We also offer residential and commercial consultations for those who’d like site-specific guidance for a thriving garden. Contact us today to learn more!