Gardeners, Step Up Your Game (And Save Your Knees) With These Raised Garden Beds

✔️ Materials: Most raised beds are made from wood such as cedar, fir, or pine; metal; plastic; vinyl; or fabric.

✔️ Drainage: If the raised bed has a bottom, make sure it has drainage holes; roots need oxygen to survive, and you’ll drown plants if there’s nowhere for excess water to go.

✔️ Self-watering feature: Some planters have a reservoir you can fill which allows the plants to take up the amount of water they need when they need it. This is great for plants that benefit from steady moisture, such as peppers. You also will be able to water less frequently, which is great in the heat or if you’re going away for the weekend.

✔️ Elevated design: Raised beds on legs prevent your having to bend over, which saves your knees and back. It’s also ideal for those with mobility issues.

✔️ Wheels: If you’ll be placing your raised bed on a deck or patio, it’s convenient to have wheels so you can move it out of the way or push it around to maximize the hours of sun exposure it receives. For example, if part of the deck becomes shaded at certain times of day, you can wheel the container into full sun.

Source: womansday.com