If you’ve ever wanted to know more about growing in raised beds, The Raised Bed Book is for you. A comprehensive exploration of the subject by David Hurrion, it really is a one-stop guide to all aspects of this popular form of gardening.
(I was given a book in return for a fair review.)
It’s a way of growing that’s been practised for centuries and still takes many forms around the world from the traditional Hügelkultur mounds in Germany to ‘straw bale growing’ in the United States and African keyhole beds.
The book opens with by covering the basics – why use raised beds, how they can benefit plants, garden design, gardeners and even the environment.
There’s also a careful look at the pros – such as bringing plants up to an easily reached height – and the cons, including needing to maintain the structures.
The Raised Bed Book is a mix of the purely practical and the inspirational. Practicalities include the choice of material (everything from wood and stone to metal or old tyres), what to fill your raised beds with, and plant care – watering, feeding and how to deal with weeds.
Beds need not be the usual rectangular or square – stacks and pyramids are a good way of making full use of space – and they need not contain plants. A raised bed pond is another idea.
Woven through ideas for themed raised beds, such as alpines, veg, or drought-tolerant, are suggestions from ‘raised bed heroes’, people who are experienced in growing this way. They include Mark Diacono who shares ideas for growing herbs, and Emma Lovewell who offers a plan for a raised bed vegetable garden.
While little of the information in the book is new, it does draw together in one place absolutely everything you’re ever likely to need to know about raised beds.
The Raised Bed Book by David Hurrion is published by DK with an RRP of £20. You can buy it here for £13.60. (If you buy via this link, I receive a small commission. The price you pay is not affected.) Alternatively, you may wish to buy from an independent bookseller here. All prices correct at time of publication of this post.
Images on this post © Paohan Chen 2024
You can read more of my gardening and garden-related book reviews here.
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I like the idea of the African Keyhole bed with the compost in the middle.
It did sound interesting.
As I grow older it is much easier to garden using deep raised beds – no bending!
A definite advantage!