Will water get sucked up into a raised bed?
 

I'd like to put a 8 to 10 inch raised shrub bed in a low lying
wet area (it's pretty wet).. will the bed be soaked all the time like
the rest of the ground or will the water 'seek it's level' as is has
in that particular area? Thank you!

Kevin

Will water get sucked up into a raised bed?
 

On Fri, 11 Apr 2003 08:48:09 -0500, Kevin Miller wrote:


I'd like to put a 8 to 10 inch raised shrub bed in a low lying
wet area (it's pretty wet).. will the bed be soaked all the time like
the rest of the ground or will the water 'seek it's level' as is has
in that particular area? Thank you!

Kevin

By capillary action, the bed will definitely draw the water in.

Will water get sucked up into a raised bed?
 

In the battle between surface tension and gravity, which do you think will
win out?


Kevin Miller wrote in message
news:5B8C131E75380642.7C2A1DD786F33306.9048ABA955E ...

I'd like to put a 8 to 10 inch raised shrub bed in a low lying
wet area (it's pretty wet).. will the bed be soaked all the time like
the rest of the ground or will the water 'seek it's level' as is has
in that particular area? Thank you!

Kevin

Will water get sucked up into a raised bed?
 

Kevin Miller wrote in message news:5B8C131E75380642.7C2A1DD786F33306.9048ABA955 ...
I'd like to put a 8 to 10 inch raised shrub bed in a low lying
wet area (it's pretty wet).. will the bed be soaked all the time like
the rest of the ground or will the water 'seek it's level' as is has
in that particular area? Thank you!

Kevin

I have my veg garden in a similar area, and no, it does not. Granted
my area may flood six or seven times a year, but my beds are low too
(6 inches or so).
I am almost certain that it will work for you. I have excellent soil,
somewhat sandy, with billions earthworms which certainly makes for
excellent drainage. You can get it too if you take care of mulching
with earthworm food.

Will water get sucked up into a raised bed?
 

"Kevin Miller" wrote in message
news:5B8C131E75380642.7C2A1DD786F33306.9048ABA955E ...

I'd like to put a 8 to 10 inch raised shrub bed in a low lying
wet area (it's pretty wet).. will the bed be soaked all the time like
the rest of the ground or will the water 'seek it's level' as is has
in that particular area? Thank you!

A raised bed is the easiest solution to high moisture levels. It will be
dryer than the current soil. Go for it.

Bob

Will water get sucked up into a raised bed?
 

"Kevin Miller" wrote in message

news:5B8C131E75380642.7C2A1DD786F33306.9048ABA955E ...

I'd like to put a 8 to 10 inch raised shrub bed in a low lying
wet area (it's pretty wet).. will the bed be soaked all the time like
the rest of the ground or will the water 'seek it's level' as is has
in that particular area? Thank you!



It depends somewhat on the soil type. If it is a low wet area, it's
probably a soil with a high organic content. In that case, you will get
capillary action which will move some water up a few inches. However, if
it dries out during the summer, it may take more watering than a flat
area. Generally, the water is higher in the spring and gets lower as
summer progresses. That's OK because the plant roots grow to follow the
water (although some plants never develop deep roots).

Sandy soil has some capillary action, but it might be only an inch. Clay
soil, forget it. Add some peat moss to lighten it up.