When I first started working as a garden consultant, I thought that garden design was just figuring out the best spot to place a wooden box. Now, I know that there are dozens of ways to plot out your kitchen garden space to combine form and function, including our most classic and tested layout options:
The reason we can plant intensively and grow way more plants in a raised bed than we could in the ground is because the raised garden bed provides room for roots to dig down deep, the soil provides the nutrients they need to thrive, and the trellis provides vertical support and encourages larger plants to grow up and stretch out.
Raised garden beds are a hugely popular gardening method, allowing you to grow flowers, herbs, vegetables and other plants in an elevated container. But is it a good idea to position these right against your house? Or is leaving some space better? Here’s a complete look at the pros, cons and best practices for locating raised beds near homes.
Potential Issues with Raised Beds Next to Houses
Placing raised planter boxes too close to exterior walls can potentially cause some problems
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Moisture damage – Soil and mulch pressed directly against siding or wood can transfer moisture leading to rot mold, insect damage or other deterioration over time. This is a major concern.
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Pests – Rats, mice and other undesirables can more easily get into cracks and crevices in your walls or foundation if the soil is touching it.
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Weed growth – Narrow gaps between the raised bed and house can become packed with weeds that are tedious to remove.
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Drainage issues – Rainwater and overflow from watering raised beds should drain away from your home’s foundation, not pool near it
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Difficult maintenance – Having a raised garden bed flush against the house makes it tougher to paint, repair siding, clean gutters or do other needed exterior maintenance.
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Emergency access – Beds positioned right against windows, doors or utility meters can obstruct emergency or service access.
So in general, leaving ample space between a raised planter and a home’s exterior walls is smart. But what’s the ideal minimum distance?
Recommended Clearance Between Raised Beds and Houses
Most landscaping experts recommend maintaining at least 6 inches of space between a raised garden bed and your home’s siding or walls. Even better is 12 inches or more of clearance.
This leaves sufficient room to:
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Allow airflow and drying to prevent moisture damage to siding.
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Reduce chances of pests entering through tiny gaps.
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Access for weeding, pruning and other garden bed maintenance.
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Keep mulch and soil from direct contact with exterior walls.
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Promote proper drainage away from the foundation.
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Carry out exterior maintenance like painting or power washing.
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Allow for minor soil settling over time without wall contact.
For any existing raised planters right up against the house, try pulling them away from the wall several inches if possible. Or you can install a physical moisture barrier.
Barriers to Use for Raised Beds Next to Houses
For raised garden beds that must abut the home for space reasons, installing an impermeable shield can help protect siding:
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Use sheet metal or thick plastic to create a waterproof barrier.
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Attach roofing paper or house wrap as a moisture break.
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Line the planter box with rigid plastic or landscape fabric.
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Create a gravel strip at least 6 inches wide between bed and house.
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Install gutter extensions to direct rainwater well away.
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Seal any gaps with high-quality caulk.
Even with these safeguards, minimizing soil-to-structure contact is wise to avoid moisture issues long-term.
Ideal Locations for Raised Garden Beds
The very best placement for raised planter boxes is:
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In open yard areas, allowing good drainage and airflow.
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Along fences or freestanding walls, keeping beds 6+ inches away.
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On patios, decking or gravel, avoiding soil contact on the house.
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With a paver path between the raised bed and home.
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On slopes where drainage flows away from the foundation.
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Under small roof overhangs for weather protection.
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On the sunny side of the house for ample light.
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Near exterior faucets for easy water access.
Tips for Building Raised Beds Near Houses
If installing a raised garden next to your home can’t be avoided:
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Choose rot-resistant wood like cedar or plastic composite frames.
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Elevate beds on bricks or blocks to prevent direct soil-to-siding contact.
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Use pressure-treated lumber. And line beds with landscape fabric.
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Direct nearby downspouts and add gravel strips to improve drainage.
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Ensure the surrounding ground slopes away from the foundation.
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Use drip irrigation instead of sprinklers to reduce moisture.
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Add gravel in the bottom of beds for drainage.
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Caulk cracks or holes in exterior walls.
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Leave as much space as possible between bed and house.
Watch for Problems with Existing Raised Beds
Closely monitor raised planter boxes already snug against your home. Look for:
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Pests entering through gaps. Seal any entry points.
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Moisture damage or rot on siding and walls. Improve drainage.
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Decaying wood frames. Replace damaged sections.
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Weeds growing in tight spaces. Remove and mulch well.
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Soil contacting siding. Prevent backfill buildup.
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Poor drainage. Slope beds and ground away from foundation.
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Plant overgrowth touching walls. Trim back for air circulation.
Addressing any issues early on can prevent more severe moisture or pest damage. Relocating beds further from the house may ultimately be needed in some cases.
Get the Most from Your Raised Bed While Protecting Your Home
With smart planning and care, you can install raised garden planter boxes that enhance your landscape without undermining your home’s structural integrity. Follow best practices for placement, spacing, drainage and construction. And periodically inspect for potential problems. This allows you to grow a thriving raised bed garden right outside your door.
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Raised Beds — The Most Important Element of the Kitchen Garden
As the cost of lumber continues to increase, I get more and more questions about whether raised beds are necessary for a healthy and productive kitchen garden. The extra expense—for the bed materials and then all that soil to fill each one—of a raised bed versus in-ground gardens might seem like, well… a waste.
I get it. But after trying (unsuccessfully) to garden in the ground, I converted to growing most of my edible plants in raised beds and using raised beds in all of my kitchen garden designs for clients.
And let me tell you, unless youre blessed with the perfect soil for growing fruits and vegetables (is anyone?), youll find that raised beds will drastically increase your productivity and overall success in the kitchen garden, too.
Before setting up your own raised beds, its important to consider the purpose of gardening in a raised bed, the ideal size of the structure based on your space, and the best materials to use to build your raised bed. Lets look first at the reasons I consider raised beds the most important element of any kitchen garden.
9 Beginner Raised Bed Garden Mistakes to Avoid
FAQ
Can you put raised beds next to a house?
Your garden will need to receive six or more direct sunlight hours per day. Really though, you’re aiming for as much sun as possible. Ideally, you’ll position your garden on the south side of any tall structures, such as homes, garages, tall sheds, and fences.
How far should a raised bed be from a house?
Part of our old backyard garden, with 4 raised beds configured in a U-shape along a sunny south-facing wall. I made them 33″ wide so I could easily reach across them from the front side only, and kept them at least 6 inches away from the house.
Can I plant a garden right next to my house?
There are no rules. You can have gardens right up to your house. Foundation planting is very popular. However, if you have gardens that you are planning on watering a lot, you might not want them right up against the house.
Is it okay to have a garden against a house?
It’s best to keep all vegetation (flowers, shrubs, etc.) several feet away from the foundation. They might look beautiful planted right next to your house, but they need water, and you should be trying to avoid adding excess moisture to the ground around the foundation.
Can I build a raised garden bed next to my house?
A raised garden bed has many benefits over a traditional garden bed. It can be built next to a house. This bed enables you to save space, offers excellent drainage, protects plants from pests & rodents, warms up soil quicker, and allows the gardener to control the soil in the garden.
Can you put a raised vegetable garden bed next to the wall?
In addition, placing a raised garden bed, specifically, right next to your wall could give pests a way to access your vegetables or vice versa. Pests could use the raised garden to gain access to your house walls and foundation. Where Is The Best Place To Put A Raised Vegetable Garden Bed?
How to build a raised garden against your house?
The following steps must be followed to build a raised garden against your house: 1. Dig down into the soil Deeply dig the ground (almost 10-20 inches deep) for the construction of a bed. Compact the surface soil with the help of a heavy log and level the surface using a level meter for good drainage. 2. Cast bricks around the excavated area
Can you put a raised garden next to a house foundation?
Placing a raised garden or flower bed next to a house foundation can be done safely. Considering what water can do to erode a foundation, providing adequate space and drainage is a must. It is also important to consider the materials used, types of plants, and sunlight. In this article I will focus on the feasibility of this type of gardening.
How far away should a raised bed be from a house?
For this reason, it is also recommended that raised bed gardens be constructed 1 to 2 feet away from a house so that the walls would not be affected by the roots from the garden. If you want to prevent root problems in your existing raised bed, you will have to install obstacles to stop spreading plant roots in raised beds.
Does a raised bed affect a house?
Yes! The soil will affect the house because as the soil sits against the brick and mortar structure, the moisture from the soil will slowly start penetrating into the house. Over the course of time, the wall structure will weaken from routine watering of the plants in the raised bed.