Construction Of A Raised Garden Bed That Is Raised?

This video demonstrates how to build an elevated raised garden bed made from cedar fence pickets, making gardening much easier. The project includes free plans and materials needed, such as cedar fence pickets, Cedar 4×4 posts, wood glue, and oil finish. Elevated planters make growing almost any plant easier, and can be created in just a few simple steps.

1. Make initial lumber cuts.
2. Attach the 1×2 boards to the bottom of two 1x6s to create a ledge.
3. Assemble raised planter boxes.
4. Join the walls to the legs.
5. Measure the boards to build the raised bed.
6. Mark where framing angles will go.
7. Drill and attach framing angles to the boards.
8. Stand the long boards with posts on the ground parallel to each other and 4 ft. apart.
9. Complete the bed by nailing the short boards to the posts.

In summary, this video provides a detailed guide on how to build an elevated raised garden bed made out of cedar fence pickets, making gardening more accessible for those with limited mobility. The steps include cutting boards, attaching them to the legs, adding wire to hold dirt, filling with soil, and assembling raised planter boxes.

What do I put on the bottom of an elevated raised garden bed?

One of the advantages of gardening with a raised bed is you’re in control of the soil. It’s a significant benefit for homeowners with yards of clay or hardpacked soil, tree root issues, or concerns about pollutants in the ground. Soil is the foundation of your garden, and you want it to be healthy so you can set your plants up for success! We recommend buying high-quality, nutrient-rich soil in bulk. Or, you can make a soil mix with equal parts topsoil, organic materials (leaves, composted manure, ground bark), and coarse sand.

You can build your raised garden bed however you see fit. Feel free to get creative or stick to a simple design; it’s your choice! Below are some raised garden bed ideas you can use for inspiration.

Built-in raised beds: You can build a raised bed with brick or wood and put it in the best place for sun or shade (depending on the plants and flowers you choose). If you select a wood design, ensure it’s intended for outdoor use and holds up well to the elements (sun and rain). If not, you’ll find yourself replacing it every year.

Should I put rocks in the bottom of my raised garden bed?

Line the bottom of raised beds if you’re dealing with pest or weed issues. Galvanized metal beds typically don’t require lining, as their height deters weeds and draining conditions are adequate. Avoid placing rocks at the bottom of your garden bed, as it can increase water saturation levels and allow gravel to mix with the soil, making it difficult to remove later. Instead, use metal raised beds that are tall enough to deter weeds and provide adequate drainage.

Do you need to put anything under a raised garden bed?

To protect your garden from pests, consider adding a liner at the bottom of your raised garden bed. This barrier prevents common digging pests like moles and gophers from entering the bed, causing damage to your plants. A heavy-duty option like hardware cloth can deter these pests. A liner also helps prevent temperature fluctuations, as the soil in a raised bed loses or gains heat more quickly than the ground soil. It provides a buffer or insulation, protecting the soil against rapid temperature changes.

Additionally, consider adding a greenhouse cloche over your plants to protect them from cooler temperatures, especially in early spring or fall when overnight frost can damage or destroy plants. By implementing these measures, you can ensure your garden remains safe and healthy for your plants.

Why not to use raised beds?

Raised beds can be an economically viable option for horticulture, yet they necessitate more frequent irrigation due to their exposure to the atmosphere and the accelerated drying process, which can result in a more rapid loss of nutrients from the soil in comparison to in-ground gardens.

What are the negatives of raised beds?

Raised beds are a popular gardening trend for 2021/2022, gaining popularity due to Instagram and the growing trend of ‘grow your own’ and ‘garden zoning’. These raised containers or boxes, typically 6 inches deep, are made from durable materials like wood, stone, or bricks. They can be made at any time of year, but winter or late summer is the best time for them to be used, as they can provide the benefits of spring. However, raised beds require more watering as they suffer more from drought due to improved drainage and warmer soil in the summer. Perennials need to be hardier to survive the colder winters.

How deep should a standing garden bed be?

Vegetable beds should be excavated to a depth of between 12 and 18 inches to accommodate the roots of the plants, particularly if the beds are placed on cement or a patio. This will prevent the roots from growing deeper into the ground.

Do raised garden beds need to be level?

Raised garden beds don’t need to be perfectly level, but they should be sloped for optimal plant growth. A sloped bed can cause uneven moisture distribution, overwatering some plants and underwatering others, and attract insects and pollutants. Soil erosion from the higher end can also affect the stability of the bed and the health of plants. Higher plants may not receive enough nutrients, while lower plants may overdose on certain nutrients. Therefore, it’s essential to consider these factors when choosing a raised garden bed.

Should raised beds have a bottom?

Raised beds typically have no bottom, except for those placed on surfaces like wooden patio decks, balconies, porches, or concrete walkways. Most online raised bed kits and instructions do not have bottoms. Four-sided beds, like those shown, are designed for optimal drainage and should be set on gravel, grass, or mulch, filled with good soil. This ensures that the bed does not turn into a bathtub, which is ideal for herbs and veggies that prefer a good soak but do not want their roots to sit in water too long. Most raised bed kits and instructions do not include bottoms.

What to fill raised garden beds with?

Raised bed gardens can be filled with compost, seed-free plant debris, kitchen scraps, grass clippings, used coffee grounds, newspaper, and weed-free straw. However, certain materials should not be included in raised beds. Garden soil is not suitable for filling raised beds as it can become dense and compact, impairing water flow and stunting root growth. Plastic sheeting is not suitable for suppressing weeds as it can become fragile and degrade over time.

Cardboard and newspaper are better choices for suppressing weeds at the base of raised beds. Rocks or gravel can create a false water table, impairing water flow. Grade the soil around the raised bed away from the garden and ensure good drainage. Treated lumber is not suitable for filling garden beds, and plant materials from allelopathic and water-resistant plants should not be used. Black walnut suppresses nearby plant growth, while cedar is naturally water-resistant. Therefore, it is best to skip branches, twigs, and logs from these tree species when creating raised bed gardens.

What should you not grow in a raised bed?

Raised garden beds can be a helpful solution for home gardeners, but not all plants are suitable for them. Some plants, such as squash, melon, corn, blackberries, mint, apple trees, asparagus, and pumpkins, require more space for their roots to spread out due to their sprawling vines or complex root systems. Raised beds can help incorporate the right soil for your plants and extend the amount of garden space, but not all plants will thrive in a raised bed.

Horticulturalists and arborists have provided more information on which plants should never grow in a raised bed. Some plants, such as squash, melon, corn, blackberries, mint, apple trees, asparagus, and pumpkins, are better off directly in the ground.

Should I put cardboard in the bottom of my raised bed?

Cardboard provides a damp environment that attracts earthworms and other beneficial soil microorganisms. It can be used in raised beds and vermicomposting bins, serving as bedding and food source. Vego Garden’s in-ground worm composter is a low-maintenance option for soil enrichment. Cardboard can also serve as pest protection against burrowing pests like gophers, voles, and moles. To prevent dirt and debris accumulation, add a gopher net. Landscape fabrics are permeable, but dirt and debris can accumulate over time, making them impermeable. To protect plants, add a layer of cardboard to garden beds and place netting above it.