Lazy beds and raised beds
Lazy beds and raised beds are two traditional gardening and farming methods, but they differ in structure, purpose, and historical use. Here’s a breakdown of each:
1. Lazy Beds
- Definition: Lazy beds are a traditional method of cultivating crops, especially potatoes, in areas with poor or wet soil, like in Ireland and Scotland. They were used intensively in South-America, France and China.
- Structure: A lazy bed involves digging trenches to lift long, strips of soil, usually 4 to 6 feet wide, with trenches (paths) in between. The soil from the trenches is piled onto the beds to create a raised strip, while the furrows themselves improve drainage, especially if you lay a mulch of dead leaves or hedge clippings.
- Process: Organic matter or seaweed is sometimes added for fertility. Soil can always be improved and you start with your own soil. It is a safe way to avoid introduction of nightmare weeds like bindweeds or horse tail.
- Drainage: The trenches act as drainage channels, which is ideal for areas with heavy rainfall or waterlogged soil. It is better if they have a natural fall. It is a very good system to become more resilient when our weather is becoming so extreme.
- Historical Context: Lazy beds were especially popular during the Irish Potato Famine and were used in nutrient-poor soils where traditional farming wasn’t feasible. But also, they were used in France to produce massive amount of vegetables in small surfaces around Paris. It is called the French intensive system. You should read books from John Jeavons. He explains his bio-intensive system using lazy beds.
- Efficiency: This method was “lazy” in the sense that it minimized the need for plowing or intense soil preparation, making it practical in rugged, rural landscapes. It is a very good system because it is simple, very productive and it has a very low carbon foot-print.
2. Raised Beds
- Definition: Raised beds are garden beds built above ground, often in a rectangular or square frame filled with a chosen soil mix.
- Structure: Raised beds are typically enclosed by materials like wood, stone, or metal, and can be any size. They’re usually higher off the ground than lazy beds, ranging from 6 inches to several feet high.
- Process: Soil in raised beds is carefully mixed and chosen, often to create a well-draining, nutrient-rich growing environment. Gardeners often use a combination of soil, compost, and organic matter.
- Drainage: Raised beds provide excellent drainage, as water can easily move through the soil and out of the bed. They are beneficial in compacted areas or if you have no soil.
- Historical Context: Raised beds are commonly used in home and urban gardening, as well as in areas with challenging soil types, since they allow gardeners to control soil quality.
- Efficiency: Raised beds are built to improve accessibility and are especially helpful for people with mobility issues if they are raised to sink level. In that case, they might be very expensive to build and to fill with growing medium.
Key Differences Summarized:
| Feature | Lazy Beds | Raised Beds |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Long, soil mounds with furrows | Framed beds built above ground level |
| Purpose | Traditional method to produce intensively a huge amount of vegetables. | Ideal for managing soil quality and accessibility |
| Drainage | Excellent! Provided by trenches between beds | Good due to elevated structure |
| Materials | Soil, sometimes organic matter/seaweed | Soil mix, compost, framed with wood/stone/metal |
| Accessibility | Lower to ground, minimal structure. Easy to mend when kneeling | Raised higher, can be difficult for the back. |
Pros and Cons
Back Problems: Lazy Beds: Having suffered from back problems for a long time, I much prefer the lazy bed method because you can kneel down (with knee pads) to cultivate the ground, keeping your back straight. You should be able to reach the center of the bed without stretching; the average width is around 1.2 meters.
Raised Beds: Raised beds made with timber look neat, but they are more difficult to access if you have a bad back, as kneeling on the planks isn’t practical, so you end up bending more.
Managing the Soil: Lazy Beds: The lazy bed system relies on your own soil, which you improve by adding organic matter produced from your garden. You simply pile it on top of the soil (mulching). This method supports excellent carrot and root vegetable growth because they won’t fork.
Raised Beds: Raised beds need to be filled with soil, and it’s not always clear where that soil comes from. It may be polluted with heavy metals or contain invasive plants. Sometimes “topsoil” is actually subsoil mixed with peat, which should not be sold as topsoil. Avoid this type of medium, as it can lead to poor results. Be aware that some bulk compost contains woody material that causes roots to fork, and some brands have high levels of microplastics due to finely shredded waste material. Watch out for this to avoid contaminating your soil and food.
Use of Timber: One of the major drawbacks of raised beds is the timber used to contain the soil. This is not very sustainable and adds an unnecessary carbon footprint. Treated timber may contain preservatives that can contaminate every crop you grow. Our grandparents never used raised beds—there may be a reason for that!
Final Point:
I believe raised beds are often popular because garden centers promote them heavily. They’re sold at a good price, but that money could be better spent on seeds or plants. Gardening is a source of joy. If you prefer the raised bed, then go for them:). There are no good or bad. Growing our own food is one of the most imporant thing we can do for our health and our poor climate!