Why Every Gardener Needs a Raised Bed Greenhouse

You know the frustration of planting something, only for it to get wiped out by unexpected weather or a sudden heavy rain.

One minute, everything is looking great, and the next, your plants are struggling—or even dead—because of extreme weather you weren’t ready for.

What’s worse is dealing with pests like slugs, rabbits, or even neighborhood pets sneaking into your garden.

They can ruin your whole crop in no time. For bigger animals like deer, a deer-proof raised bed garden can help protect your plants from being chewed on, having your veggies eaten, or being stomped all over after you’ve worked so hard to grow them.

That’s where a raised bed greenhouse can really help. It combines the best of both: the benefits of a raised bed and the protection of a greenhouse.

In this article, we will go through why you should opt for a raised bed greenhouse and how it can help your garden thrive and be productive all year round!

What is a Raised Bed Greenhouse?

A raised bed greenhouse is basically a garden setup that combines a raised bed with a greenhouse cover.

The raised bed is built above the ground, often using materials like wood, stone, or metal to make a contained, elevated space for your plants.

The greenhouse part is a cover, usually made from clear plastic, polycarbonate, or glass, that goes over the raised bed.

This cover traps heat from the sun, creating a warmer environment for your plants. It also helps protect them from bad weather, pests, and strong winds.

Why a Raised Bed Greenhouse Is Worth It

A raised bed greenhouse addresses many common gardening challenges by providing your plants with a safe and controlled environment to grow. Beyond that, it offers even more benefits.

Longer Growing Season

We all know how difficult it is to grow food in the winter. The cold, frost, and shorter days make it hard to keep plants alive, and the weather is so unpredictable that it’s tough to know when to plant.

A raised bed greenhouse can help with that by creating a warmer space for your plants. You can start growing earlier in the spring, even when the ground is still cold, and you don’t have to worry about the last frost or sudden cold snaps.

The greenhouse traps heat, keeping your plants warm enough to grow even when it’s cold outside.

In the fall, the greenhouse helps your plants keep growing long after the temperature drops. You can continue harvesting crops like lettuce, kale, and herbs, even when frost has hit other gardens.

Keep Pests and Animals Away

One of the biggest challenges for gardeners is dealing with pests and animals that destroy your hard work.

Larger animals, like squirrels or raccoons, can dig up your beds and eat what’s growing—and you definitely don’t want that to happen.

A raised bed greenhouse offers a layer of protection that helps keep these unwanted visitors out. The greenhouse cover acts as a barrier, making it harder for animals to reach your plants.

It’s especially helpful if you’ve had issues with birds pecking at your fruit or smaller pests, like insects, attacking your leaves.

With this setup, you don’t have to worry as much about waking up to find your plants eaten or trampled.

It creates a safer space for your garden, giving your plants the chance to grow strong without constant interference.

You’ll spend less time dealing with pest problems and more time enjoying the results of your hard work.

Warmer Growing Conditions

A raised bed greenhouse works by trapping heat from the sun, creating a warmer and more stable environment for your plants to grow.

This is especially helpful when the weather is unpredictable or too cold for certain crops to thrive.

One common problem gardeners face is trying to grow heat-loving plants like peppers, tomatoes, or eggplants in the spring when it’s still too cold outside.

If you plant them too early, they might struggle to grow or even die from the cold. A raised bed greenhouse helps by keeping the temperature inside warm and steady, even during cool days or nights.

This means you don’t have to wait for the weather to fully warm up before planting. A greenhouse provides a consistent temperature that’s ideal for growing heat-loving plants like tomatoes and peppers.

If you live in a colder climate, consider building a raised bed greenhouse.

It allows you to grow plants that usually wouldn’t survive the cold, extending your growing season and giving you more options for what you can harvest.

Less Weeding

Raised beds already help keep weeds down because the soil is more contained and less likely to get overrun by them. But when you add a greenhouse, it makes weeding even easier.

The greenhouse cover keeps windblown seeds from landing on your plants, which means fewer weeds grow in the first place.

Since the space is more controlled, there are fewer chances for seeds to be blown into your garden by the wind or carried in by birds.

This cuts down on the time you spend pulling weeds, which can feel like a never-ending task in traditional gardens.

With fewer weeds to worry about, you can focus more on caring for your plants and enjoying the harvest.

The raised bed itself also makes it easier to spot weeds, so you can deal with them quickly before they get out of hand.

Keep Rain from Overwatering

We all know that raised beds already do a good job of draining excess water, but with a greenhouse, you get even more control over how much rain your plants receive.

Heavy rain can sometimes flood your garden, especially during stormy weather.

A greenhouse helps by acting as a shield, keeping the rain from hitting your plants too hard. This way, your plants don’t get soaked and stressed from sudden downpours.

Not only does the greenhouse block excess rain, but it still allows enough moisture and air to reach your plants, keeping them hydrated.

So, while the greenhouse protects your plants from the worst of the rain, they still get the right amount of water needed to grow well.

This also means less worry about the soil becoming too muddy, which can make it harder to work in the garden.

Protection from Strong Winds

In some cases, the wind can blow your plants right over, which can be a disaster if you’ve put a lot of work into your garden.

But worry no more—a raised bed greenhouse can act as a shield against these strong winds.

The structure of the greenhouse helps block the wind from hitting your plants directly, protecting them from drying out.

This means your plants can stay healthier, especially on those windy days when they would normally struggle. It also helps keep your plants standing tall instead of being knocked over.

See? You don’t have to worry about your plants getting blown around or damaged by the wind with a greenhouse raised bed in place.

Choosing the Right Greenhouse Cover

You’ll want to pick one that fits your budget, the weather you’re dealing with, and how long you want it to last.

Plastic Sheeting

Plastic sheeting is a good choice if you're on a budget. It's inexpensive, easy to work with, and does a good job of letting in light while keeping your plants safe from wind and rain.

The downside is that it doesn’t last forever (harsh weather can tear it up) so you'll probably need to replace it after a couple of seasons. Still, it’s a good option if you want something simple and affordable.

Polycarbonate Panels

If you're willing to invest a little more, polycarbonate panels are definitely worth considering. They’re more durable than plastic and do an excellent job of keeping your plants warm in the cold and cool in the heat. They also provide protection from the sun’s harsh rays.

While they cost more upfront, polycarbonate lasts longer, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a more long-term solution.

Glass

Glass is a classic option that I think can be great if you’re after something really durable and long-lasting. 

It lets in plenty of light, which is perfect for plants. The downside is that it’s heavier, trickier to install, and can break easily if something hits it.

Another consideration is that it’s the most expensive option. So, while glass looks nice and works well, it might not be the best choice if you're on a tight budget or want something easier to manage.

In the end…

Raised bed greenhouse is a practical way to solve some of your common problems as a gardener. 

So, if you’re tired of fighting these problems and want to give your plants the best chance to grow, it might be time to consider setting up your own raised bed greenhouse.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)