1. Will the zinc in metal raised garden beds leach into the soil?
Galvanized steel is produced by bonding a layer of zinc to the surface of the steel. This helps prevent the metal from rusting. One of gardeners' biggest concerns about using metal raised garden beds is that the zinc used in the process can leach into the soil and damage any plants and vegetables growing in it. While small amounts of zinc may leach into the soil over an extended period of time, that's not necessarily a bad thing for your vegetables or the people who eat them. Zinc is a naturally occurring mineral found in garden soil.
2. Metal raised planters get too hot when dry
Metal conducts heat and is usually warm to the touch when exposed to sunlight. Do metal raised garden beds cause plants and soil to overheat? The answer is no. On warm days, the soil temperature near the edges of the garden may rise slightly, but not enough to have any effect on the plants. If you water your garden plants correctly, you don't have to worry about them drying out. Like metal patio furniture or fences, metal garden beds can heat up after prolonged exposure to sunlight, but are still safe to touch and handle.
Do metal raised garden beds need to be filled with a lot of soil?
One of the main advantages of raised garden beds is that you can choose the best soil type for a particular plant, rather than relying on what you already have in your yard or garden. Beginner gardeners, however, may be intimidated by the initial amount of soil needed to establish a garden bed. Yes, garden beds do need soil, but they don't need as much as you might think. Most plants and vegetables only need about a foot of good-quality soil to grow. Instead of filling the entire garden bed with soil, use a filler such as pine cones, packed peanuts, or sand to cover the lower half of the garden bed. Then, place a piece of landscape fabric on top of the filling and fill the top half with your favorite soil.
Do metal raised garden beds need a lot of water?
Raised garden beds are often large and the idea of keeping your garden watered can seem daunting, but by following a few tips, you can keep your soil moist without having to water your garden bed regularly. When it comes to gardening, choosing the right soil is key, whether growing in the ground, in pots, or in the garden. The best soil choice for raised garden beds is a light soil mix, which retains moisture so you don't have to water the bed as often.
5. The drainage performance of metal elevated flower beds is not good
Metal raised garden beds do not drain well and your plants will be submerged in standing water. This is not true either. Being able to choose the right soil for your metal raised garden beds is a great bonus, as you can choose a lightweight soil that drains easily. Additionally, many garden beds are either bottomless or have drainage holes that allow water to move easily through the soil and into the ground.
