choose the correct location
Have you ever tried lifting a plant pot full of dirt? It's not easy. Plus, it's nearly impossible to move garden beds without pouring out all the soil. It's good for your plants...but bad for your back. Before you start planting flowers, it is important to decide where to place your garden beds. Make note of the amount of shade and sun the plants will get, and look for plants that will thrive in those conditions.
Choose the right filling material
Fill the bottom third of the raised metal garden bed with a lightweight filler. Fillers take up space in your garden beds, so you don't have to fill them with expensive soil that your plants will never use. You can fill the bottom of your garden beds with a variety of materials, just make sure they are non-toxic and won't decompose during the growing season. After filling the bottom of the garden bed with filler, cover the material with a piece of landscape fabric. Then, fill the garden beds with light potting soil and plant the flowers. Your plants will have all the soil they need without the extra weight. After spending so much time growing flowers, the last thing you want is to replace the soil by pouring it out of your garden beds, but every year you'll need to add new soil to keep your plants healthy. Don't worry, you don't have to ditch your metal raised garden beds entirely. Once a year, simply remove the top layer of old soil and replace with new soil mixed with a slow-release fertilizer. Mix as much of the new soil into the old soil as possible without affecting the plant's root system.
choose the right plants
Once you've decided where to place your garden beds, it's time to choose your plants. No matter what plants you choose, you must make sure they will grow in the location you choose. Check the plant labels in your greenhouse to determine how much sun each plant needs and look for ones that are right for your growing conditions. You should also choose annuals or slow growing plants, or your plants will grow into pots without your knowledge.
Don't overwater the plants
Metal raised garden beds contain a lot of soil, so the garden beds take longer to dry. The top soil may appear dry while the deeper soil remains moist. If the soil is too wet, it won't be able to deliver oxygen to the roots, which can stress the plant and make it more susceptible to disease. To determine if your plant needs water, dig your finger deep into the soil, up to the second knuckle. If the deeper soil layers feel dry, it's time to water the plants again. You should also pay attention to the weather. Water takes more time to evaporate from metal raised garden beds when temperatures are cooler, so you don't need to water your plants as often.
