Question
Hi, My wife is disabled and wants to grow vegetables/fruits. I am thinking of building raised beds of about two to three foot high so as she does not have to bend down at all. Can you tell me what is the minimum depth of soil needed for the veg/fruit to grow successfully and do you see any problems arising from making the raised beds this height.

Thank you for your time in this matter.

Kind regards
Terry

Answer
Terry,

Yes you can make raised beds to any height that would work best for your wife.  Most small plants like lettuce, spinach, cucumber, beans, and peas need a minimum of 12 inches of soil to grow best.  If she will wants to carrots, beets, cabbages, broccoli, or tomatoes you will want the soil depth to be 16 to 18 inches.

I have seen table-like raised beds where the person can actually place a chair of wheel chair under the table and comfortably work in the bed.  You will just have to make sure your bed has drainage holes so excess water can be drained.  The soil will have to be fertilized on a regular basis (perhaps once a month) and changed each year (or at least 50% of it). I would consider this type of raised bed to be a container and manage it in that way.  

If you want to build a raised bed on the ground, a 2 or 3 foot height will work really well, you will just have to bring in more soil to fill it.  If you are thinking of making a more permanent garden where more veggies can be grown, I would suggest paying the extra for more soil and doing it this way. You will still have to amend and fertilize once or twice a year, but you would not have to replace the soil as the plants can have access to more soil giving them more nutrients and they will grow better.

When deciding on the width of the bed in either option make sure your wife can easily reach across the bed or if she will have access from all sides make sure she can easily reach to the center of it that way she will be able to manage the bed with no difficulty.

I hope this helps and good luck with your project.  Please let me know if you or your wife have anymore questions.

Happy Gardening,
Catherine Abbott
www.your-vegetable-gardening-helper.com