Best perennials for raised beds: what works and why The best perennials for raised beds are usually the ones that hold their shape, return reliably, and stay worth having once the bed settles in. The real winners are not always the showiest in year one. They are the plants that cope well with the sharper…
How to attract bees and butterflies in a small garden If you want to know how to attract bees and butterflies in a small garden, the answer is not simply to add more flowers. Small spaces work best when planting is deliberate, easy for pollinators to find, and structured to offer food, shelter, and continuity…
What to plant in a raised bed for the long term Raised bed planting is usually treated as a short-cycle job. Sow, crop, clear, repeat. That works for many beds, but it is not the only way to use them well. Some raised beds are worth planting for years, not months, especially when they offer…
How deep should a raised bed be for different plants? For most gardens, a raised bed with 30 to 45 cm of usable soil depth is a strong all-round choice. Shallower beds can still work well for quick crops and intensively managed planting, but herbs, bulbs, flowers, vegetables, and longer-term planting usually perform better when…
Best soil mix for raised beds in 2026: 3 simple mixes that work If you want the best soil mix for raised beds, start with this: most beds do best with a balanced mix of topsoil, compost, and a smaller amount of drainage or structure-improving material. The exact balance then changes depending on whether the…
Best place to put a raised bed: sun, drainage, shelter and access A raised bed should usually go in the part of the garden with the most reliable light, decent drainage, some shelter from strong wind, and easy access for watering, weeding, and harvesting. Full sun is often the best starting point, but not every…
Wooden raised beds vs Corten steel: which is actually better? Choosing between wooden raised beds and Corten steel is no longer a simple choice between weak timber and durable metal. When timber is properly specified, the comparison completely changes. A Yakisugi Western Red Cedar raised bed offers long-term durability with a fraction of the production…
How Dorset shapes our raised bed design Dorset shapes our raised bed design by teaching us to think about materials, weather, proportion and time. The landscape around us is not just scenery. It influences how we judge timber, how we think about outdoor durability, and why our raised beds are designed to feel grounded in…
The UK’s first Yakisugi raised beds for design-led gardens Yakisugi is a centuries-old Japanese method of protecting timber through controlled charring. At The Raised Bed Company, we have adapted that method for British gardens, creating what we believe are the UK’s first commercially available Yakisugi raised beds. Handcrafted in Dorset from Western Red Cedar, each…
Discover how traditional Yakisugi meets locally sourced timber, zero-VOC oils, and skilled craftsmanship to create durable raised beds with rich grain, refined detail, and a timeless Dorset character.
