Your Garden Bed Tub Volume

	157cm long	81cm long
23cm deep	120 litres	60 litres
35cm deep	220 litres	110 litres
41cm deep	270 litres	135 litres

Optimising Root Health with Ventilation

The side holes (and drain holes) allow for aeration of the roots. It’s genreally understood among gardeners that

• sunlight,
• water, and
• nutrients are essential for healthy plant growth, but
• air is just as critical for both the above-ground and below-ground parts of a plant.

Roots need oxygen to function properly. 

• Plants depend on respiration to produce energy for nutrient absorption.
• Air circulation in the potting mix fosters beneficial microbes that:
• Break down organic matter.
• Release nutrients in plant-accessible forms.
• Proper aeration allows roots to grow freely, supporting healthy development.

Fill your garden bed right to the top

• When filling your garden bed, a small amount of potting mix may fall out through the side holes initially, but this will quickly settle, and no further loss will occur.
• If you opt for soil instead of potting mix, you might notice that soil, being less structured, is more prone to falling out.
• For added peace of mind, we offer Drainage Fabric as a liner. While we don't consider it necessary when using the recommended potting mix, it can be a good option if you need to keep the surrounding area particularly neat and tidy.

Mulch Your Garden Bed

Benefits of Mulch

• Moisture Retention: Reduces evaporation, keeping the potting mix moist and reducing watering frequency.
• Temperature Regulation: Insulates roots from extreme heat or cold, stabilising soil temperatures.
• Weed Suppression: Blocks sunlight, inhibiting weed growth.
• Erosion Control: Protects the potting mix from wind and water erosion.
• Improves Potting Mix Quality: Organic mulches decompose, adding nutrients and improving the potting mix texture.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Enhances the look of your garden or landscape.
• Pest Control: Certain mulches like cedar chips can deter pests.

Potting Mix vs Soil

We recommend potting mix - but here are some pros and cons of Potting Mix vs Soil in your raised garden bed.

Potting Mix

Pros:

• Lightweight: Potting mix is less dense than soil, making it easier to handle and reducing strain on containers.
• Better Drainage: Designed to drain excess water while retaining enough moisture for plant roots, reducing the risk of waterlogging.
• Disease-Free: Typically sterile or pasteurised, reducing the risk of soil-borne diseases and pests.
• Customised Nutrients: Often comes pre-mixed with nutrients and additives tailored for specific plant needs.
• Easy to Work With: Its fluffy, aerated texture is ideal for planting and transplanting.

Cons:

• Cost: Potting mix is generally more expensive than regular garden soil, especially for filling large containers.
• Nutrient Depletion: Nutrients in potting mix may deplete quickly, requiring regular fertiliser applications.
• Quick Drying: Can dry out faster than soil, especially in hot weather, necessitating frequent watering.

Garden Soil

Pros:

• Affordable: Soil from your garden or bulk topsoil is slighly cheaper than potting mix.
• Long-Term Nutrients: Soil typically contains more organic matter that breaks down slowly, providing sustained nutrients.
• Moisture Retention: Retains moisture better than potting mix, which can be advantageous in hot, dry climates.

Cons:

• Heavy: Soil is dense, making it harder to move and putting more stress on containers and their supports.
• Poor Drainage: Garden soil can compact over time, leading to waterlogging and root rot in containers.
• Pests and Diseases: Non-sterile soil may introduce weeds, pests, or soil-borne diseases into your containers.