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what to put on the bottom of a metal raised garden bed
If you are building a modular metal raised garden bed, make sure to place drainage holes at the bottom of the modular metal raised garden bed before placing anything on top. This will drain excess water from the roots of the plants and ensure they don't flood or get wet. The first rule you must consider when building a modular metal raised garden bed is to fill your plants with good soil. Next is choosing the material to place at the bottom of the garden bed. Plus, because four sides of the modular metal raised garden bed can be used for weeding, watering, and harvesting, you'll never have to worry about stepping on the soil and causing it to deteriorate. The advantage of modular metal raised garden beds is that you get soft, fluffy, well-drained soil that will help your plants thrive. Since you don't need to step on the soil, aeration and soil levels are not reduced and the activity of valuable microorganisms is prevented from being affected. To achieve this, we must lay a flat layer of material on the bottom of the garden bed to isolate the soil between the ground and the garden bed. Here are some suggestions for the materials most gardeners choose to place at the base of a modular metal raised garden bed.
1. Waste newspaper
Depending on the size of your modular metal raised garden bed, you can place 4-6 layers of newspaper or cardboard on the bottom. Colored paper is not recommended here because it contains heavy metals. The advantage of this method is that it is very easy to buy because you can easily buy it close to your home.
2. Weed fabric
Another popular option is weed fabric, which is available at most home improvement stores and provides good drainage and prevents weeds from growing from the bottom of a modular metal raised garden bed. The downside of this material is that it doesn't last long, which means it has to be replaced more frequently.
3. Dried pine needles
Pine needles help keep weeds out of your modular metal raised garden beds because they decompose very slowly. As a natural product, they don't contain any herbicidal chemicals, which means you don't have to worry about them damaging the plants in your garden beds over time.
4. Rubber mulch
Rubber mulch is another great option for the bottom of a modular metal raised garden bed. It's more expensive than other options, but it does offer some benefits, such as keeping weeds at bay and retaining moisture during droughts. It's made from recycled tires, which not only makes it a sustainable option, but also has the benefits of rubber. Recycled tire covers are easy to clean. Available at most hardware stores and home improvement centers, it can be expensive, but it can last for years without any odor or weed growth.
5. Coconut Fiber
This organic material has many advantages over other materials used for the base of raised garden beds. One of the biggest benefits of coconut fiber is that it doesn't break down like other materials, thus adding to the cost of a modular metal raised garden bed due to frequent replacement. Coconut fiber also regulates the soil temperature of plants, helping to retain heat in the soil. In areas that are particularly cold at night or in the morning, coconut fiber can also help prevent the soil from cooling too quickly. This type of mulch also helps retain moisture in the soil mix, which means you don't have to water as much every day or two as you would with other types of mulch.
6. Treated mulch
One of the benefits of using treated mulch is that it contains weed-fighting compounds. This means you don't have to worry about weeds growing on your modular metal raised garden beds. Treated mulch is not as readily available as other types of mulch and is generally more expensive. Treated mulch does not contain any herbicide chemicals, which means they are safe for animals and people if they accidentally come into contact with your garden. It also doesn't have any unnatural or noxious smells, which is another great benefit compared to other types of mulch.
7. Stainless steel mesh
If you are concerned about burrowing animals affecting your modular metal raised garden bed, you can use this durable material under the bed to keep these animals out. This also ensures that plants such as tuber crops are not targeted by gophers. Be sure to secure them in place to prevent them from moving.
Considering cost and usage time, you can choose a material and place it on the bottom of a modular metal raised garden bed according to your conditions and circumstances. All these materials are environmentally friendly. When you place the material on the bottom of a modular metal raised garden bed and put soil on top, you can start planting whatever you want.
1. Waste newspaper
Depending on the size of your modular metal raised garden bed, you can place 4-6 layers of newspaper or cardboard on the bottom. Colored paper is not recommended here because it contains heavy metals. The advantage of this method is that it is very easy to buy because you can easily buy it close to your home.
2. Weed fabric
Another popular option is weed fabric, which is available at most home improvement stores and provides good drainage and prevents weeds from growing from the bottom of a modular metal raised garden bed. The downside of this material is that it doesn't last long, which means it has to be replaced more frequently.
3. Dried pine needles
Pine needles help keep weeds out of your modular metal raised garden beds because they decompose very slowly. As a natural product, they don't contain any herbicidal chemicals, which means you don't have to worry about them damaging the plants in your garden beds over time.
4. Rubber mulch
Rubber mulch is another great option for the bottom of a modular metal raised garden bed. It's more expensive than other options, but it does offer some benefits, such as keeping weeds at bay and retaining moisture during droughts. It's made from recycled tires, which not only makes it a sustainable option, but also has the benefits of rubber. Recycled tire covers are easy to clean. Available at most hardware stores and home improvement centers, it can be expensive, but it can last for years without any odor or weed growth.
5. Coconut Fiber
This organic material has many advantages over other materials used for the base of raised garden beds. One of the biggest benefits of coconut fiber is that it doesn't break down like other materials, thus adding to the cost of a modular metal raised garden bed due to frequent replacement. Coconut fiber also regulates the soil temperature of plants, helping to retain heat in the soil. In areas that are particularly cold at night or in the morning, coconut fiber can also help prevent the soil from cooling too quickly. This type of mulch also helps retain moisture in the soil mix, which means you don't have to water as much every day or two as you would with other types of mulch.
6. Treated mulch
One of the benefits of using treated mulch is that it contains weed-fighting compounds. This means you don't have to worry about weeds growing on your modular metal raised garden beds. Treated mulch is not as readily available as other types of mulch and is generally more expensive. Treated mulch does not contain any herbicide chemicals, which means they are safe for animals and people if they accidentally come into contact with your garden. It also doesn't have any unnatural or noxious smells, which is another great benefit compared to other types of mulch.
7. Stainless steel mesh
If you are concerned about burrowing animals affecting your modular metal raised garden bed, you can use this durable material under the bed to keep these animals out. This also ensures that plants such as tuber crops are not targeted by gophers. Be sure to secure them in place to prevent them from moving.
Considering cost and usage time, you can choose a material and place it on the bottom of a modular metal raised garden bed according to your conditions and circumstances. All these materials are environmentally friendly. When you place the material on the bottom of a modular metal raised garden bed and put soil on top, you can start planting whatever you want.