The shape of a raised bed greatly influences how it holds or drains water, and each shape has its advantages. Master gardener Paul James shares key tips:
The shape I prefer most is the raised hill, in which the entire bed gently slopes down and out from the center (figure A). The slope is just enough to prevent excessive rains from forming puddles in the bed, but not enough to create excessive runoff. It takes a while to get the knack for shaping them, but it's rather simple when using a raised-bed builder (figure B).
For small-seeded crops that need plenty of water, I sometimes go with the flat-top bed, especially during dry spells. Occasionally, I'll plant my crops in rows on either side of the bed and create a shallow furrow in the center on either side (figure C). Creating a lip on both sides of the bed holds water, although you'll likely have to reconstruct them now and then.
Use the recessed-pan approach to keep your garden lush in the middle of the summer when rain is scarce. First, create a flat-top bed, followed by furrows (figure D). Planting your seeds or placing your transplants in the furrows themselves, which hold water, makes this approach unique.
Whether you're growing radishes or roses, you should grow them in raised beds. They can be easily modified any number of ways to suit the season or the crop you're growing.
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