How To Build a Raised Garden Bed

how to build a raised garden bed

How To Build A Raised Bed In Your Garden

Have you ever wanted an organized garden that grows more and allows you to start growing earlier? Well, by building a raised garden bed system you can do just that.

In this article we will discuss everything from what you can grow to how you can build your own raised bed.

What Is A Raised Garden Bed?

A raised garden bed is an above-ground gardening bed normally built out of non treated cedar, composite lumber, or redwood. The reason for it being raised is to allow you to work comfortably in your garden and walk around the soil making it less compact for your plants

6 Benefits Of Having A Raised Garden Bed?

#1 – Raised beds won’t disturb other roots in the ground. It’s perfect for very congested gardening areas with trees. Also great if you have hard clay or rocks in the soil.

#2 – Easier to garden and maintain. If you build your bed at the right height, you won’t need to kneel or lean down.

#3 – Less weeds to maintain by having a raised bed

#4 – You can fit more crops in smaller rows due to the loose soil which means your garden will take up less space.

#5 – Your raised bed will warm up quicker then the ground letting you grow sooner

#6 – Can be converted into a cold frame to extend your growing season by a few months

#7 – Provides good drainage and aeration for your plants

What Can You Grow In A Raised Garden Bed?

Here is a list of the top vegetables to grow:

  • Carrots
  • Beets
  • Radishes
  • Tomatoes
  • Spinach
  • Lettuce
  • Kale
  • Onions
  • Parsnips
  • Potatoes

How Do You Fill Your Raised Garden Bed For Cheap?

The best fill for a raised garden bed is 70% topsoil and 30% compost. Organic material such as manure is great for any garden. Here are two methods on how:

Method #1 – The best way to fill your raised garden bed for cheap is to create your own compost and add it with standard topsoil (bought bags or found for free). This will eliminate the cost of buying multiple bags of soil.

Method #2 – This second method is to collect tree branches and organic material that are on the ground. Make sure you are within your local laws.

Place what you found on the bottom of your raised garden bed and cover it with topsoil. On the very top, add some compost or make some compost and add it consistently.

Tip #1 – It is always beneficial to add a layer of mulch once your garden bed is ready. This allows you to limit the watering, regulate soil temperatures, help control weeds, enrich the soil with organic material, and prevent unwanted diseases.

How To Build A Raised Garden Bed

Step 1 – Figure out the dimensions for your raised bed. The most common is a 4ft by 8ft but you can do any dimensions you like.

Keep in mind that if you go larger than 4ft wide, you may have troubles reaching across your garden when you are harvesting your crops.

Step 2 – Count the amount of material you will need for the project. This includes nails/wood screws, wood, and stabilizing wood.

Remember to measure the width of your wood pieces to find the length of nails/screws needed.

Step 3 – Either get your local hardware store such as Home Depot to cut your wood pieces to length or do it yourself.

Step 4 – On a level surface, place your wood pieces together to make the shape of your raised bed and to make sure everything fits properly.

Step 5 – Using screws, pre drill and screw your raised bed corners together at a 90 degree angle. This will ensure the garden will last the longest.

For extra support, use 2-inch x 4-inch in each corner to provide more surface area for extra screws. This will consist of a tighter 90 degree angle.

Step 6 – Once you have the desired height and all pieces are secured. Place your raised bed in the permanent location.

What Material Do You Need To Build A Raised Garden Bed?

The standard raised bed dimensions are 4ft wide and 8ft long. The material used for this includes:

  • Deck screws
  • Drill
  • Drill bit for a pilot hole
  • Hammer
  • 24ft of 2-inch x 10-inch pieces of wood
  • 8ft of 4-inch x 4-inch pieces of wood to secure the inside of your frame
  • Soil to fill the raised bed. Preferably a mix of topsoil, compost, and additional organic materials such as manure

Tip #1 – Stay away from pressure treated wood since arsenic leaches into the garden and can be dangerous. Cedar wood, red wood or composite recycled lumber lasts the longest.

How Deep Should A Raised Garden Bed Be?

The depth of your raised garden bed should be at a minimum of 6-inches. This gives most plant roots enough room to get the nutrients they desire for proper growth.

Tip #1 – If you have hard clay or rocky soil underneath that make rooting tough then extend the height of your raised bed past 6-inches.

How Often Do You Water A Raised Garden Bed?

Deep water your raised garden beds 2-3 times a week and frequently monitor conditions. Try to water between 6am – 10am and avoid watering at the hottest part of the day from 11am – 3pm.

In the morning there is less wind, heat from the sun, and lets your garden have the ability to dry during the day if you overwater.

Watering at night increases the chance of mildew and fungus growth but if you have to, water your raised beds between 4pm – 7pm.

Additional Raised Bed Tips

  • Treated lumber has improved over the years but is still not recommended for raised beds
  • Using cedar wood is your best natural rot resistant option but is more expensive. A cheaper alternative is to use plain discounted wood which will save you money but not last as long.
  • If you are building a 4ft x 8ft raised bed, buy an extra 8ft piece and cut it in half. This will result in zero waist
  • If you are planning to place your raised bed over grass, either break up the grass if you have a 10 inch tall raised bed or build it higher so deep rooted crops can grow properly (carrots, potatoes)
  • Give your raised bed soil a week to settle before seeding or transplanting
  • If you have poor soil that normally comes with newer homes, then attach a weed barrier to the bottom of your raised bed before setting it in place.
  • Using recycled plastic lumber will cost more but last much longer
  • Measure the diameter of your wood pieces to get an exact deck screw length
  • Use planter blocks if you are in a hurry and need to save time. They are like tetris blocks
  • Mulch the top of your raised beds especially if you live in a climate with a cold winter. This will keep your raised bed protected over the winter. Finding mulch with pine needles or wood chips is your best option.
  • Continue adding organic material to your raised beds