Raised beds in polytunnel

[MarkHackwell]

I currently have raised beds in my polytunnel but am deciding whether or not to lift them out and just use the ground as I think they are taking up space. What is the advantage of raised beds? And also what about manuring the polytunnel can I do that too?

[chris]

You can do whatever you want to in it, really - just be careful of the plastic, obviously.

If your ground doesn't drain well, or is poor (or you just like them), then by all means go for it I know plenty of PT owners who just grow in the ground as usual. Raised beds reduces your growth height by the height of the bed though - so just keep that in mind if you PT's arches are low.

[Linzy]

Ive tried both. Im not a huge fan of raised beds, don't really see the point in them. I have them in my front garden but only cause they look nice.

[Two_Sheds]

What is the advantage of raised beds?

Raised Deep Bed Gardening Pt 1 - About Raised or Deep Beds

[Alison]

I just have marked out beds in my tunnel, well to be more exact, the paths are marked out and what is left is a bed. Unless you have mobility issues then I don't think that it's a brilliant idea to do raised ones in a tunnel, as said above, you reduce the growing height and I grow my toms, cucs, melons etc up to the roof as it is. That said, it's entirely your own decision, if you like them then keep them but if not then get rid. You can manure as you want, I don't tend to add any as I'm too nervous it'll be full of weed killer but do add a lot of homemade compost every year which refreshes the beds as well as practice crop rotation around the beds. Oh and one other thing about raised beds, I run a gravity watering system off water butts outside the tunnel so couldn't do that if the beds were above ground level but that's only applicable if you have such a system in place.

[Veggielot]

I have raised beds, about 6 inches, in my greenhouse. It has allowed me to add compost to help improve the soil. However I did it to keep it tidy.

[marchogaeth]

Raised beds to get above the water table for me.



Also gives me a greater depth of soil beofre hitting subsoil as my soil is very thin.

The only tall crop I really have problems with is sweetcorn. The tomatoes and beans can be curved up over the roof. I think you have to be a bit more aware of space when using canes!

[annacruachan]

I use fishboxes on upturned fishboxes in my new pt as I'm unable to work at ground level. The heavy plastic boxes have the advantage of being relatively smooth, so not a danger to the polythene.
Tomatoes will go in pots on the ground when it's warm enough and will be allowed to grow across the roof - beans and peas too! Having said that, it is already full of plants! So exciting!

[Ericthehalfabee]

Recently had a new gh built and had to make the same decision, i.e raised beds or not. I went for them and have no regrets, One goes the length of the greenhouse and two shorter ones along the centre, with a gap betwen them. It's far easier not to have to bend down to do everything, mobility probs or not. Having them in the centre allows for the xtra height of some crops, toms etc.