The most popular heights for raised beds are 8 – 24” which will suit most vegetables. Might be a good choice for you depending on the vegetables you like to grow. 2 x 6” boards would therefore be fine and as you have already found out cheaper too!

Choosing the height of your raised beds is ultimately a matter of own personal preference. Some factors regarding choice of height you will need to take account of are:-

• Personal preference
• Cost
• Vegetables you intend to grow
• Site

Personal Preference
People have different abilities so you may wish to consider how much bending down you want to do. If you are prone to back strain or have any mobility issues a taller bed will be necessary to make gardening easier for you. 2 foot high beds will be helpful in this case. The final choice of height will ultimately be personal to you.

Choice of vegetables
For most vegetables (Cabbages, Salads, Onions, Leeks, Spinach etc) the root room they need will be between 12” and 18”. Carrots, Turnips, Chard, Cucumbers, Peas and Peppers will need 18 -24” of good soil. Rhubarb, Squashes, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Artichokes and Asparagus and Root vegetables like Swedes and Parsnips will ideally need deeper soil between 2 foot and 3 foot deep. Remember if your raised beds are sited on soil they will be able to obtain nutrients below the level of the raised bed provided this is topsoil (the top darker layer of soil which contains more humus).

Allow for mulch and prevent overspill
Remember that height of bed should allow for space for adding mulch so soil level needs to be at least a couple inches lower than height of boards. Also stops spillage onto neighbouring paths.

Site
Ensure good drainage for good plant growth– consider adding a shallow layer of drainage material in bottom of raised beds such as small stones or gravel.

I hope this helps. Good luck with your growing.

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