We dug out this section to add raised garden beds — we will have these 4 and then 3 smaller round ones. We will lay down weed barrier in the dug out part. My goal is to make this low maintenance because I don’t want to manage grass or weeds.
In my mind I can go two directions: mulch or crushed gravel/rock. I feel like mulch would look more rustic (better for me) while rock would look cleaner. Mulch would be easier to lay, but possibly more maintenance going forward.
I’m curious what you all would do. Also interested in any other advice you have.
by JustHere4TheZipLines
22 Comments
Clover?
Mulch
Gravel needs weeding and gets hot and isn’t as comfortable underfoot. I’d go mulch. I’m currently doing cardboard as a weed barrier with mulch on top but I don’t know yet if that will be good.
I mean.. personally I would just put down new grass and weedeat and mow around the beds. They’re tall enough you shouldnt get much grass growing through.
Wood chips
Go with mulch, no question.
If you ever want to change your layout, moving gravel is a huge pain you’ll be digging it out forever. Mulch, on the other hand, breaks down over time and actually improves the soil underneath. Even if you’re not using that ground now, you might later, and you’ll be glad it’s been building instead of buried under rock.
We used to do everything in raised beds too, but switched mostly to in-ground last year. It’s been way easier overall especially less watering. We still keep a few boxes for certain crops, but most of it is in the ground now.
Just let the grass grow. You’re going to fight it anyway.
Don’t do rock. If you ever change your mind it’s a PIA to deal with. Same for fabric.
Cardboard topped with mulch. Will keep the area weed free for years, and mulch is SO MUCH easier to work on than gravel
ETA: the cardboard is ESSENTIAL. Is the only thing I’ll use for weed barrier now, as I get it for free from work. Just be sure to remove all tape/labels.
Add logs to the bottom of the planters. Thank me for a decade.
Micro clover will stay short and add nitrogen to the soil.
Mint!!!! Ever be is terrified of it but it is fantastic, beautiful, self-sufficient, fragrant and if it ever gets a little too big you literally just pull it up wherever you need to!
Depends on your climate. To add heat, use rock. But not gravel. Flat stones, brick, pea gravel or river rock. Because regular gravel feels nasty in bare feet.
To add coolness, use a light colored mulch. (Keep in mind, as the mulch composts down, it will cause the metal to rust more quickly than other possible surrounding materials.)
Or you could use ground cover to keep it green, like thyme, micro clover, camomile.
Yooooooo at the best possible moment while scrolling my eyes crossed and I really thought you had coffin shaped raised beds!! I will now be doing this with headstones as plant markers. 🤘No ground cover. lol
Wood chips
OP don’t use a weed barrier or fabric, just cardboard and mulch. You’ll regret using any synthetics when it inevitably gets clogged with dirt and starts growing things you don’t want everywhere.
Not to mention all the micro plastics leaching into the soil with synthetics
We just use weeds.
Clover makes great sound cover, chokes out other weeds, and is also a really good nitrogen fixer that will ultimately improve the quality of your soil to where some day you may not even need those raised beds 😀
Bugle weed
Sand. I’ve great a great sand guy. Or foam. Either way, your call. This is about the Mitch’a’palooza, right?
Best thing would be wood chips in my opinion.
My son contacted a local tree trimming service and got a truck load for *free*. Most trimming services have to pay to dump their chips, so to avoid that they may drop off at your place instead. He used the chips around the bins and IN the bins. In the bins saves on the amount of soil needed (also added layers of cardboard) and will break down over time to a great soil addition.
I brought attention to the *free* because he did give the two workers a tip of $15 each (which they said their boss let them keep in addition to their pay).
I’d go wood chips all day, cooler on the feet, easier to work with, and fits the setting better than rock.
Mulch