Raised Bed Gardening
Raised beds are the ideal partner for Square Foot Gardening. Mel Bartholomew, the inventor of SFG, explicitly recommended them. A raised bed solves many common garden problems at once – poor soil, bad drainage, back pain, and pest pressure.
Why Raised Beds + SFG?
No stepping on soil – SFG's #1 rule is enforced naturally since you work from the sides.
Perfect soil control – fill with Mel's Mix without touching your garden's existing soil.
Better drainage – raised beds drain excess water naturally, preventing root rot.
Longer season – soil warms up faster in spring, letting you sow earlier.
Fewer weeds – the raised height and fresh soil mix dramatically reduce weed pressure.
Ergonomic – less bending and kneeling, especially at 60–80 cm height.
Recommended Sizes for SFG
Classic (1.2×1.2 m) – 16 squares, ideal for gardens
Balcony (1.2×0.6 m) – 8 squares, fits terraces
Compact (0.9×0.9 m) – 9 squares, small gardens
Large (1.8×1.2 m) – 24 squares, use SA optimizer!
Building a Raised Bed
You can use untreated wood (larch, Douglas fir), stone, metal, or even recycled pallets. Here's the basic process:
Choose a level, sunny spot (6+ hours of sun). Ideally north-south orientation.
Build the frame. Height: 30 cm minimum, 60–80 cm for ergonomic working.
Line the bottom with wire mesh (against voles) and the inside with pond liner or cardboard (against wood rot).
Fill in layers (see below) or use Mel's Mix for a pure SFG approach.
Divide the surface into a grid using string, wooden strips, or just mark with a stick.
Classic Raised Bed Layers (bottom to top)
If you want to build a traditional 'Huegelbeet' raised bed with layers that generate heat and nutrients as they decompose:
1. Coarse branches & twigs (20 cm)
Drainage layer. Use thick branches and woody cuttings. Creates air pockets and decomposes slowly over years.
2. Turf / leaves / hedge clippings (15 cm)
Green waste layer. Grass sod (upside down), autumn leaves, shredded hedge material. Retains moisture.
3. Half-finished compost (20 cm)
Nutrient engine. Semi-decomposed compost, kitchen scraps, manure. Generates warmth as it breaks down – up to 5°C above ambient!
4. Fine compost / Mel's Mix (20–30 cm)
Growing layer. High-quality compost or Mel's Mix (1/3 compost, 1/3 peat/coir, 1/3 vermiculite). This is where roots grow.
Practical Tips
In year 1, a layered raised bed is very nutrient-rich – plant heavy feeders (tomatoes, cabbage, zucchini).
Year 2–3: switch to medium feeders (carrots, onions). Year 4: light feeders and herbs. Then top up with compost and restart.
Install a drip irrigation hose – raised beds dry out faster than ground beds, especially in summer.
Cover the surface with mulch (straw, grass clippings) to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
On a balcony, ensure the structure can handle the weight (~150–200 kg/m² when wet). Use lightweight mixes with perlite.
Raised Bed Cross-Section
Branches
Turf / Leaves
Half-compost
Mel's Mix
In PlotMate, set your grid dimensions to match your raised bed (e.g. 4×2 for a balcony bed). Use the Gallery tag 'Raised bed' to find inspiration from other users, and the 3D view to check plant heights won't shade each other.