How tall should the raised beds be? What are the advantages of deeper beds?
The best choice of bed height depends on your gardening goals, personal preference and budget. There are two main benefits to taller beds—greater root space and improved accessibility. Taller beds provide more root space, which generally translates into healthier plants and a more productive vegetable garden. Some plants, like salad greens, herbs and alliums (onions, garlic, chives, etc.) have relatively shallow root systems, in which case a bed height of 5.5″-11″ is often sufficient. For deep rooted plants, like tomatoes, beans, squash, and potatoes, a bed depth of at least 11″-16.5″ is recommended. It is a good idea to loosen the ground beneath the planters to improve drainage and aeration before filling the beds with soil. The other main benefit of taller beds is improved accessibility for people who have difficulty (or just want to minimize the need for) kneeling and bending over. Raised beds 22″ or taller are recommended for wheelchair access. Tall beds also make a convenient plac
