Grow More with Less Effort: Build Your Own Raised Garden Bed!
Any green thumbed pro or even an avid gardener will be put off by problems like poor soil, back pain, or constant weeding. If you are dreaming of a lush, thriving garden but feel limited by these problems a raised garden bed is the game-changer you need! Not only do these elevated planters make gardening easier on your body, but they also improve soil quality, boost drainage, and keep pesky weeds at bay.
This video is sourced from YouTube@The Gardening Channel With James Prigioni
Table of contents
- Raised Garden Bed: The Word on the Street
- How to build a garden bed?
- Things to Keep in Mind While Planting Seeds on a Garden Bed
- Creative Garden Bed Ideas
- Raised Garden Bed - Maintenance Tips
Raised Garden Bed: The Word on the Street
You might have already heard the raised garden bed buzz. Gardeners everywhere are talking about raised gardens as a proven way to grow healthier plants with less hassle. From suburban backyards to urban balconies, raised garden beds are taking over the traditional gardening method.
Why has this become a trend you ask? Well, raised beds offer a ton of benefits:
● Better soil quality
You choose your own soil to pile in the raised bed which means that you have complete control over the soil composition. You can create a nutrient-rich, well-draining soil perfect for plant growth rather than tilling the existing soil in your garden.
● Improved drainage
Don’t need to worry about if you poured a little too much water for your plants. Since raised beds are elevated, water naturally flows downward and away from the roots rather than pooling around them. Also, raised beds contain loosely packed soil compared to compacted ground, improving the drainage.
● Fewer weeds
You create your own soil to fill the raised bed instead of the existing ground soil which may already be full of weed seeds. This reduces the chances of weeds sprouting in the first place. Since raised beds are enclosed with sturdy sides, they create a physical barrier that prevents weed seeds from spreading into your garden from surrounding soil.
● Less strain on your body
As a gardener you would already know the stress of bending, kneeling, squatting and other positions you have assume for gardening. Elevated beds mean less bending and kneeling, which is great for those people who love gardening but are ailing from back or joint pain.
● Extended growing season
One of the main advantages of raised garden beds is that they allow you to start planting earlier in the season and even extend your harvest into the fall. You can have some extra time on your hands to plant and harvest, if you are planting on a raised garden bed.
In early spring when the soil is waterlogged with winter moisture making the soil unsuitable for planting. With a raised bed there is no waterlogging allowing the soil to dry out and warm up faster, creating ideal conditions for seed germination and root growth. Late season crops can gro well into the fall as you can easily cover the raised bed with mulch, row covers, or even small hoop houses.
● Better pest control
Since a raised garden is covered on all sides it acts as a natural barrier against common ground-dwelling pests. The elevated height makes it difficult for slugs, snails, and crawling insects to reach your plants. Also, if you live in a surrounding with rabbits and other small animals, raised garden bed offers protection from nibbled crops. With fewer intruders to your bed of soil an plants, you spend less time dealing with pest damage.
With all these benefits, it’s no wonder raised garden beds have become a trend among gardeners. Are you ready to build your own? Let’s get started!
How to Build a Garden Bed?
Whether you are a pro at gardening or a complete beginner, this step by step guide will walk you through building a raised garden bed.
Step 1: Pick the Right Location
The location for your garden bed depends on these factors:
● Sunlight: Most plants need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight in a day. Choose a sunny spot that is not shaded by trees, fences, or buildings.
● Accessibility: The garden bed should be easy to reach for everyday watering. Consider the locating it close to a water source. It should also be easily accessible for the purposes of planting and harvesting.
● Level ground: Pick a flat area so that your elevated garden planter box sits evenly and drains properly.
Step 2: Decide the Size
Depending on the space you have, your gardening goals, and mobility, you can decide on the right size for your raised beds. These are the measurements that are considered ideal for a garden bed.
● Height: 10 - 12 inches is usually enough for a raised garden bed. You can go up to 18 – 24 inches if you want better accessibility or deeper root space. Also, make sure you align it to your height as well. A 6ft tall person will need a loftier garden bed.
● Width: 3 – 4 feet wide is considered ideal to ensure reach and accessibility to the center from either side without stepping into the bed.
● Length: Depending on ease of access, the length of a raised bed can vary from 6 – 8 feet. This is a manageable size if you can make sure that you don’t overextend the reach.
Avoid making the bed too wide or lengthy as you might have to step into it to reach your plants. If you step into it it compacts the soil affecting drainage.
Step 3: Get the Materials and Tools Ready
Materials:
● Wood: People usually choose cedar or redwood as they are rot resistant and adds a deep red hue to your garden increasing the beauty of your garden. Avoid treated wood that contains chemicals, especially if you are growing food. Wooden raised garden beds are the most popular DIY raised garden beds.
● Weed barrier or cardboard for the base, but this is optional
● A mix of topsoil, compost, and organic matter for filling in the bed
Tools:
● Measuring tape
● Saw
● Drill or screwdriver
● Level
● Shovel or garden fork
● Galvanized screws or wood screws, ideally 3 inches long
Step 4: Cut and Assemble the Frame
1.Measure and cut the wood: Based on your bed size you gave decided to build, measure and cut the wood to form the sides. For example, for a 4x8 ft bed, cut two 4 feet and two 8 feet boards.
2.Assemble the frame: Place the boards in a rectangle on the ground. Using the screws secure the corners. At least two to three screws should be used to tighten a corner.
3.Add support: For beds longer than 6 feet, add a cross brace across the width of a raised garden bed. This reinforces the side walls and prevent the boards from leaning outward once filled with soil.
Step 5: Prepare the garden bed area
1.Clear the area: Remove grass, weeds, and debris from the spot.
2.Level the ground: Level the soil on the ground using a shovel or garden rake.
3.Add a weed barrier (optional): Get a piece of cardboard or landscape fabric, cut it to the desired size and lay it on the ground. This will help prevent weeds from growing into your bed from below. Wet the cardboard to help it stay in place and break down faster.
For those actively trying to avoid weeds, you might have a question that once the cardboard breaks down will weeds start growing? The cardboard’s main job is to choke out the existing weeds or grass long enough for the new plants to get rooted. By the time the cardboard breaks down, most of the weeds would have died. Aggressive or deeply rooted weeds might eventually push through, especially if your raised bed isn’t deep.
Step 6: Affix the wooden frame
Once the site is ready, position your wooden frame in place. Using a make sure the frame is even on all sides. Press down on the corners to ensure that the frame is firmly placed on the ground.
Step 7: Fill up the bed
Get your soil mix and and pour it into the frame. Rake the soil to make it flat. Water the soil thoroughly to help it settle. After it settles, see if the soil is enough and add more if necessary. While packing the soil into the wooden frame, make sure it is loose and well-aerated. This promotes healthy root growth and better water retention.
There you go, your raised bed is ready for planting. You can choose your seeds and seedlings and start sowing the garden bed.
Things to Keep in Mind While Planting Seeds on a Garden Bed
● Sort plants according to water requirements, sunlight, and spacing. Adopt companion planting to maximize yield and repel pests.
● Overcrowding your plants can lead to less yield. Read the back of seed packets or plant tags to know the proper spacing before sowing the seeds.
● Once you have planted, give your new garden a deep watering to help roots take hold in the soil.
Creative Garden Bed Ideas
For those living in apartments and flats, creating a raised garden bed might not be possible. If you don’t own yard space for planting purposes, you can always use the space in your balconies and terraces to build a garden using a raised bed. Want to know how?
Today, there are pre-built raised garden beds available in the market that are easy to assemble and durable. These are perfect for both beginners and experienced gardeners alike. With the right design, you can turn the smallest outdoor nook into a green space with high yield.
Tiered Garden Bed
If you want to plant many varieties of plants but are short on square footage, a tiered galvanize raised garden bed can be your best friend. These feature vertical layers that allow you to plant herbs on top, veggies in the middle, and root crops at the bottom without overcrowding. Tiered beds not only saves space, but they are also visually appealing.
Check out Garvee tiered garden beds
Kitchen Garden Box
If you have a spacious kitchen or a balcony like space next to your kitchen you can try placing a garden bed in this area. You can choose a pre-built garden bed that is compact enough to fit into your space. This garden bed can easily grow essentials like basil, cherry tomatoes, and salad greens for easy snipping while cooking.
Check out this wood raised garden bed from Garvee featuring a compact and lightweight design tailored for a small space.
Raised Garden Bed with Trellis
Pre-built garden beds that come with a space for climbers are excellent for increasing space for planting without actually using up floor space, especially in compact areas like balconies or patios. These come with built-in climbing supports or trellises that allow you to grow climbers like tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, or even flowering vines without needing additional structures. If you have nosy neighbours invading your balcony space, this can function as a privacy screen.
Check out this raised garden bed with trellis from Garvee
Raised Garden Bed - Maintenance Tips
To keep your raised garden bed thriving, here are a few maintenance tips:
● Compared to in-ground beds raised beds tend to dry out faster, so monitor moisture levels frequently.
● Add a layer of straw, wood chips, or shredded leaves over the soil to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
● Even though you have put in a soil mix, you should add organic compost or manure to keep the soil rich and healthy.
● Change the location of your crops to prevent nutrient depletion and diseases every season.
● Add fresh compost each season to replenish nutrients and keep the plants healthy.
If you are an avid gardener or a backyard botanist, raised garden beds are rewarding DIY projects that can significantly improve your gardening results. You control the soil and layout which means your seedlings have better chances of successful growth with high yield.
What’s more? Those pesky weeds that you have keep plucking off the ground is no longer a problem. No more bending, kneeling and flexing to get your plants to thrive and survive. A simple setup is enough to enjoy a productive and enjoyable growing season. You can complete the setup in a day and have a healthy plants sprouting in no time.
So pick up your tools, choose a sunny spot, start building your garden bed and put your green thumb to work.
