Asked on Jul 21, 2018

Should a raised bed be covered in the winter?

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4 answers

Gk
on Jul 21, 2018

It depends on what you use your raised bed for. If it is a vegetable garden-not necessary. If you have some perennial flowers in a raised bed you could chose to cover it with a good layer of mulch or individually cover the plants. Otherwise it is not necessary to cover. I clean mine out in the fall removing all dead plant material and rake it smooth. In the spring I rake again before I plant.

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- Barb Harter
  on Jul 21, 2018
  
  Thanks, this is my first attempt at raised bed gardening. This was very helpful.
  
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Pat Russell
on Jul 21, 2018

Hey, Barb: I don't think it is necessary to cover a raised bed. Treat it just like the dirt in your yard. If you are trying to save some plants over the winter and are in a cold area, covering might be helpful.

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- Barb Harter
  on Jul 21, 2018
  
  This seems right now that I think about it. I have done some containor gardening as my soil has never been good, and that's what I do with my rhubarb. Thanks for the info.
  
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Dwp7470b
on Jul 21, 2018

Yes, you can use leaves or other biodegradable paper or bags to Cover it.

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- Barb Harter
  on Jul 21, 2018
  
  Good idea for plants that are effected by the cold. Thanks for the info.
  
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Sharon
on Jul 21, 2018

Do you mean as in a canopy or a bed skirt? Personally when I do a raised bed for a client, I do add a bedskirt, so there can be underbed storage. I have found over time, I don't like canopies as they are massive dust collectors unless your going to take them down monthly as wash - too much work for me. Now mosquito net canopy is another matter as that will keep me from getting eaten alive during spring.

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- Sharon
  on Jul 21, 2018
  
  LOL guess I didn't get it was a garden bed. I do cover garden beds for my winter crops using hoops and plastic.
  
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Should a raised bed be covered in the winter?

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