Watering raised beds – what you need to know!
How much water does a raised bed need? What should you pay attention to when watering a raised bed? And what do I do with the raised bed if I'm not home for a few days? We explain what is important when it comes to optimal raised bed irrigation and what you should avoid. Discover the best professional tips and build your own raised bed with our configurator .
Watering raised beds correctly: Why is irrigation important?
Water is just as vital for plants as sufficient light. However, too much of a good thing can also have a negative effect on the development of plants in raised beds and cold frames . Proper watering is a crucial aspect of optimally caring for your plants. With the right method you can the Improve drainage , regulate soil moisture and the various plants can be supplied with the required amount of water. In addition, a targeted irrigation schedule enables the cultivation of plants with different water requirements, while improved drainage reduces the risk of waterlogging and root rot . A suitable irrigation system not only contributes to healthy plant growth, but also has a positive impact on the environment . Proper water management can reduce overall water consumption, thereby avoiding waste of one of our planet's most important resources.
When should you water the raised bed?
To care for your raised bed, you need to know the proper schedule . Typically, the best time to water a raised bed is early morning or late evening.
- Water early in the morning: What applies to ground-level beds also applies to raised beds: one of the best times for watering is early in the morning. Because in the morning the earth is not yet warmed as much by the sun . The cool morning hours offer lower evaporation , meaning more water can be absorbed by plants. In addition, the plants have all day to absorb the nutrients from the watered water, which promotes their growth.
- Water late in the evening: Not only early morning but also late evening is a good time to water your raised bed. Due to less water evaporation and less risk of scalding the plants' leaves , the evening is the perfect time of day to give your plants the moisture they need. However, it is important to avoid overwatering the leaves and to ensure that the soil is allowed to dry out completely before nightfall.
Higher water requirements: How often do I have to water the raised bed?
The water requirement of a raised bed differs from that of a classic bed. As a rule, a raised bed should be watered once a day in summer . The reason for the higher water requirement is explained by the higher temperatures inside the raised bed.
There are two reasons why the soil inside the raised bed is warmer than the soil in a bed at ground level:
- Natural rotting processes
Due to composting and the decomposition processes in the nutrient layer, the temperature inside a properly filled raised bed is consistently up to 5°C higher than in ground-level garden beds . This means that the water added to the raised bed evaporates comparatively faster.
- Stronger sunlight
Due to the elevated position, the sun's rays can warm the raised bed all around - the side walls are also exposed to the heat of the sun . This further increases the temperature of the earth and leads to faster evaporation of liquid.
Watering Methods for Raised Beds
There are numerous methods for watering raised beds, which can be chosen depending on the needs of the plants and personal requirements and preferences.
Watering can
The watering can is one of the simplest and most effective watering methods for a raised bed. All you need for this method is a watering can and you're good to go. Fill the watering can with water and water directly at the base of the plants , making sure the soil is evenly covered. The only disadvantage of this method is that watering by hand is unfortunately very laborious and time-consuming
Spray irrigation for raised beds
With a spray irrigation system The raised bed is watered from above . To do this, an irrigation device in the form of a pole is attached above the raised bed. All you need to do is plug in the garden hose. Valves allow you to easily regulate both the amount of water and the pressure with which the water rains onto the raised bed by hand . Spray irrigation systems can remain installed almost all year round : you should only remove the spray irrigation during the worst frosts. You don't need to lug heavy watering cans around the garden and you can water your raised bed at any time simply by opening the tap. In combination with a timer, this irrigation system makes watering much easier.
Drip irrigation for raised beds
With drip irrigation, the plants only get what they really need. Each clay cone is a sensor and a drip point at the same time : the suction power of the earth is transferred to a membrane, which opens or closes the passage of the clay cone and thus enables or stops the water flow. Thanks to the slow, measured dripping, the plants only receive naturally preheated water. The individual clay cones are distributed over the raised bed so that different water requirements in different parts of the raised bed are not a problem. This means that different plants are always supplied with water as needed. The drip irrigation method is particularly practical if you have to leave your raised bed alone for a few days. With this irrigation system, the optimally dosed supply of water to the raised bed is easily possible, even over several days. Perfect for the holiday season!
6 professional watering tips for your raised bed
Watering is an important part of caring for your raised beds. That's why hochbeet.com has put together a list of six practical tips for caring for your raised beds.
- Monitor the soil: Monitor the soil regularly to assess moisture and determine when watering is necessary. Check the water level at different depths.
- Targeted irrigation: Target watering based on the plants to avoid overwatering the leaves and reduce the risk of disease.
- Efficient irrigation systems: Use drip or spray irrigation systems when possible to target water to plant roots and reduce water waste.
- Mulching: Cover the ground with mulching material, e.g. B. Straw or mulch to reduce evaporation and conserve soil moisture.
- Water pressure: When watering raised beds, make sure that the pressure of the water jet is not too high. When watering using a spray irrigation system or by hand, if the water jet is too strong, the top layer of soil (in which the plants were planted) can be partially washed away. To avoid this, the water pressure should be kept moderate.
- Observe the plants: Look for signs of water stress or overwatering of the plants. Symptoms such as wilting, yellowing leaves, or root rot may indicate a watering problem.
Find the right irrigation system for your raised bed on hochbeet.com and be inspired by the experiences of our customers.
