Proper Raised Beds
Never in a million years did I think I would have proper raised beds in my back yard. And here we are!
Last year, Greg created the three 2 foot tall raised beds that rounded off the garden and created this lovely boundry between the garden and the street. I love the height of these beds. I feel like you could age in place with this size of bed.
This year, Greg created 13 boxes to house the dirt of my raised beds creating defined areas for planting and walking. Our main goal is to create structure and control the erosion as my garden has a hard slope toward the neighbors back yard. The garden has amazing drainage, however erosion has been an issue in the past.
With the edging Greg installed last year, the retaining walls and fencing, and now the raised beds, I can already see a difference with the erosion issues. It looks as though we have mitigitated a ton of dirt loss.
Check out the video to see the progress as we transform our back garden in to a beautiful place to spend time and grow our own food.
Building Wooden Raised Garden Beds
Materials Needed:
Untreated wood (such as cedar or redwood)
Wood screws (3-inch)
Wood brackets (optional for added stability)
Measuring tape
Saw (handsaw or power saw)
Drill
Level
Landscape fabric (optional)
Soil and compost
Step-by-Step Process:
Choose Location: Select a spot that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Clear the area of grass, weeds, and debris.
Determine Size: Decide on the dimensions of your raised bed. A common size is 30 inches by 8 feet, with a height of 5-8 inches.
Cut the Wood: Measure and cut your boards according to your chosen dimensions. For a 30 inch x 8 foot bed, you will need two 8-foot boards and two 30 inch boards.
Assemble the Frame: Lay out the boards in a rectangular shape. Use a drill to attach the corners with wood screws. If using brackets, place them at the corners for extra support.
Level the Bed: Ensure the assembled frame is level. Adjust the soil underneath if necessary to create an even surface.
Optional - Add Landscape Fabric: If desired, line the bottom of the frame with landscape fabric to prevent weeds from growing through while allowing for drainage.
Fill with Soil: Begin filling your raised bed with a mixture of soil and compost. A good mix to use is 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% peat moss or vermiculite for aeration.
Plant Your Vegetables: Once the soil is in place, you can start planting your favorite vegetables. Make sure to follow the planting guidelines for spacing and depth.
Water Regularly: Water your new garden bed thoroughly after planting, and maintain consistent watering as your plants grow.
Mulch (Optional): Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
By following these steps, you’ll have sturdy wooden raised garden beds ready for your vegetable garden, enhancing your ability to grow healthy food on a budget while also contributing to food security. Happy gardening!
