How to Sow Seeds in a Metal Raised Garden Bed?

By: M. Zaid

Growing vegetables in raised garden beds has become very popular lately because they offer several benefits over traditional gardening methods. One of them is that they allow you to grow plants closer to each other which means less space between rows. This makes growing veggies easier and faster.

However, if you have never tried this method before, it can be pretty challenging at first. You will need to prepare the soil and plant your seedlings properly. If you are unfamiliar with these steps, you may waste time and money on unsuccessful attempts.

This article will show you how to sow seeds in a metal raised garden bed. We will also give you tips along the way so you don’t make any mistakes.

What Are the Benefits of Using Metal Raised Garden Beds for Sowing?

Most of metal raised garden beds are made from galvanized steel or aluminum, while Vegega’s metal raised bed are made from zinc-aluminum-magnesium. They are usually rectangular and come in different sizes. The bed size depends on the space you want to use for planting.

Metal raised beds provide numerous advantages when compared to traditional gardening methods. They require minimal maintenance. In addition, they are durable and long-lasting.

Moreover, they are ideal for small spaces such as balconies, patios, decks, and rooftops. They are also great for people who live in apartments or condos. You can easily move them around whenever you wish.

Metal garden beds are also perfect for growing herbs, flowers, and vegetables. They are suitable for all climates, as long as you keep them protected from direct sunlight.

Which Plants Can Be Directly Sown in Metal Raised Beds?

While metal raised beds are best suited for growing vegetables, some plants can be directly sown into them. These vegetables grow perfectly fine without transplanting. Some examples include:

Radishes

If you're looking to get some fast results, then radishes are the right choice for you. They are one of the easiest vegetables to grow. Radishes grow perfectly in metal raised beds. However, they do not like hot weather. So, protect them from the direct sun if you plan to sow them outside.

Chard

Chard is another vegetable that grows quickly. It's an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K. This vegetable grows fine in metal-raised beds but requires plenty of water. Make sure to add more water during dry periods.

Onions

If you're a fan of onions, you should try growing them in metal raised beds instead of pots. They grow much better than in containers. Moreover, they are much healthier.

All you need to do is to cover the bottom of the bed with a layer of compost. Then, place your onion bulbs in the center. Cover them with soil. Water regularly until they sprout. And you're done!

Spinach

Spinach is one of the most nutritious leafy greens available. It contains lots of iron, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Plus, it's low in calories. This quick and easy-to-grow vegetable does great in metal raised beds too. You'll have fresh spinach within a few weeks.

Carrots

While carrots are grown in many ways, they are still considered a root vegetables. That means they grow underground. Metal raised beds are perfect for growing carrots because they allow roots to develop freely.

Other Vegetables

While we've mentioned above only a handful of vegetables that grow well in metal raised beds, there are others that you may want to consider. Here are some other vegetables that grow well in this type of raised bed:

1. Pea
2. Bean
3. Garlic
4. Lettuce
5. Tomato
6. Beetroot

You can plant these vegetables in any season. Just make sure to choose the appropriate planting time. For example, tomatoes will grow best in spring. Lettuces, on the other hand, prefer cooler temperatures.

How to Properly Sow Seeds in Metal Raised Garden Beds?

Sowing seeds in metal raised garden beds is just as simple as sowing them in regular garden beds. The difference lies in how you prepare the bed before planting. Let's take a detailed look at how you can start sowing seeds in metal raised beds.

Preparation

First, remove weeds and debris from the area where you intend to sow seeds. You don't want to damage the seedlings when you dig out the weeds accidentally. Also, ensure that the soil is loose enough so the roots won't stick together.

Next, mix a small amount of fertilizer or organic matter into the soil. If you use fertilizers, make sure to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Organic matter such as manure, compost, or peat moss works very well.

If you decide to use organic matter, make sure to apply it evenly throughout the entire bed. Otherwise, you might damage the plants' roots due to the uneven distribution of nutrients.

Finally, you need to rake the surface of the bed flat. Raking helps prevent the seeds from sticking together. Also, raking allows air to circulate through the roots.

Seeding

Now that you're ready to sow seeds soak them overnight in warm water and drain excess water. You can use a seed tray to distribute seeds across the prepared bed evenly.

Once sown, cover the seeds with about 1/4 inch of soil and gently press the ground around each seed. This prevents the seeds from drying out and also keeps the soil moist.

You can also sprinkle seeds directly onto the soil. However, if you do this, make sure not to let the seeds touch each other. Instead, space them apart. Otherwise, they may have poor germination rates.

Safeguards

When sowing seeds in metal raised beds, you should be careful not to damage the young seedlings. You can protect your seedlings using a mesh screen. Alternatively, you can place plastic sheeting over the raised bed.

Also, keep an eye on the weather conditions during the first week after planting. Rainfall can cause the seeds to rot. So, avoid watering the raised bed until the sun has dried up the soil.

In other words, wait for the soil to dry before watering the bed. You can mist the bed with water if you see signs of dampness. But, make sure to do this sparingly. Too much moisture can lead to root rot. You should also look closely at signs of any pests infesting the bed.

If you find any bugs, spray insecticide on the affected areas. Organic pesticides are safe for both humans and animals.

Conclusion

Metal raised gardening beds allow you to grow healthy crops even in cold climates. They also provide a convenient way to raise vegetable gardens. However, there are some things you need to consider before starting to plant seeds in metal-raised gardens.

First, you need to know what seeds you'll be growing. Then, you need to prepare the garden bed properly. Finally, you need to take precautions against possible problems. If you do all these things correctly, you'll enjoy the successful results of your efforts.

We tried our best to help you learn how to sow seeds in a metal raised garden bed. Hopefully, we've helped you understand the process better. We hope you learned something new today!