I’ve always loved natural materials, but some may not be the best choice in your garden. Wood is an amazing resource, but it can create more problems than it solves.
A content creator with the username @inthecottagegarden agrees with this and reveals her own reasons for hating her wooden raised beds.
Here they are!
Slugs Hide Beneath Them
The edges of the beds are the perfect habitat for slugs to hide under, comments the video maker.
This may not seem like a big deal but, at night, these pests will wreak havoc in your vegetable garden. They can eat everything in their path, including your veggies.
There are ingredients that will control slugs and snails in your garden, but a much better way of dealing with them is creating a hostile environment. That means your wooden garden beds may have to go.
Wood Rots Fast
Wooden materials are amazing for mulching or filling your raised beds. That’s because they decompose overtime and enrich your soil with nutrients.
Yet, the very thing that makes them perfect for mulching and raised-bed-filling, makes them horrible for raised bed frames.
Since wood is a natural material, it will rot sooner or later. This will happen quicker in more humid and rainy climates, but even the dry regions can’t stop nature from taking its course.
@inthecottagegarden agrees, saying that in a few years, I’m going to have to spend more time and money replacing it.
They’re Pricey
Wood was an excellent budget-friendly option back in the day, but its price has sky-rocketed in recent years.
Sure, there are cheaper options, but as the video maker expresses, finding reclaimed wood that hasn’t been chemically treated can be quite a challenge.
So, what do you do in this case? Well, you can switch to a new kind of raised bed!
Solution: Switch To Metal Raised Beds
Wooden raised beds bring a certain charm to your garden, but so do metal ones! They may not be as visually appealing as the wooden ones, but they have other benefits.
Metal raised beds are more durable and won’t rot in any kind of weather. This makes them a perfect long-term investment that will last for years to come.
The thin edges don’t provide habitat for slugs, meaning my plants will be a little bit safer, comments the video creator.
@inthecottagegarden A few reasons why I’m trying a new style of raised beds in my next garden projects. Don’t get me wrong, I always believe using what you already have is the best option, but wood is becoming increasingly difficult to get my hands on for a good price, and the more it rots, the more it attracts slugs. I still love the way wooden beds look, but I thought I’d try something new! #raisedbedgarden #gardening #gardeningtips ♬ original sound – In The Cottage Garden 🌻