Are you ready to take your gardening game to the next level? Building a raised bed is a fantastic way to optimize your gardening space, improve soil quality, and make maintenance a breeze. Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or just starting out, creating a raised bed can be a rewarding and enjoyable project. In this blog post, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to build your perfect raised bed.
Step 1: Choose Your Location
The first step in building a raised bed is selecting the perfect spot in your garden. Look for an area that receives plenty of sunlight and has good drainage. Avoid placing your raised bed under trees or near large shrubs, as their roots can compete with your plants for nutrients and water.
Step 2: Gather Your Materials
Once you've chosen the location, it's time to gather your materials. You'll need:
- Wood or Alternative Material: Cedar is an excellent choice for building raised beds because it's naturally rot-resistant. Other options include pressure-treated lumber or composite materials.
- Hardware: Grab some screws or nails to assemble your raised bed.
- Soil: Depending on the size of your raised bed, you'll need a significant amount of soil to fill it. Consider purchasing a mix specifically designed for raised beds, or create your own blend using topsoil, compost, and other amendments.
Step 3: Build Your Raised Bed
Our Favorite Way to Build an Inexpensive Raised Bed
These beautiful, long-lasting raised garden bed using a simple construction process. Trust me, following these steps (and using any of my suggested modifications) will save you so much time, frustration, and money if you've been searching for inexpensive raised garden bed ideas.
Note: I call this my $100 raised bed. That's how much the cedar boards, framing angles, and hardware originally cost. Unfortunately, the price of cedar keeps increasing, so budget for a little over $100 total. Prices may vary depending on your location.
- 2’ x 8’ x 1’
- 4' x 4' x 6"
- 4' x 6' x 1'
- 4' x 8' x 1'
- 2' x 6' x 1'
My favorite way to grow in a bed this size is to scatter a salad mix like in the picture above. I can harvest salad bowls for my entire family daily from this bed. But really, the list of things you can grow in a $100 raised bed are endless.
Now it's time to roll up your sleeves and get building! Follow these simple steps:
- Cut Your Materials: If you're using wood, measure and cut the boards to the desired length for your raised bed.
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Mark Where The Framing Angles: Lay out the boards in a rectangle or square shape, and use screws or nails to secure them together at the corners with the framing angles. Make sure the corners are square to ensure a sturdy frame. Line up the framing angle along the line you've created and mark inside 2 or 3 holes, depending on how many hex screws you purchased for each side. You'll drill where these holes are, so make sure you're not marking in between two boards. Also check to ensure there will be at least one hole per board. Double and triple check your marks! I'm sure you've heard the expression "Measure twice, cut once," right? Well, the same goes for drilling holes.
- Drill: Carefully drill a straight hole in each place that you've marked.
- Attach Framing Angles to Create Panels: Attach each framing angle with the hex screw on the outside and the washer and nut on the inside. You should now have two panels complete with framing angles on both ends, as shown in the picture above. (Note that once boards are secured in place with a framing angle, I'll be referring to them as panels.)
- Begin Other Sides of Wooden Raised Beds: It's time to prepare the other boards. Line up two new boards along a framing angle that's already attached to a panel and make sure the edges are flush and straight. Mark holes on the two new boards for drilling.
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Complete 1st Raised Bed Corner: Remove the boards and drill holes in the places you marked. Attach two boards to the framing angle with hex screws, washers, and nuts. Having a partner for this step to hold the boards steady is great!
You've now completed the first corner of your raised garden bed.
- Repeat!
Not interested in building your own?
Garden Raised Bed Acacia Wood:
https://harvickfarms.com/products/garden-raised-bed-acacia-wood-19-7x9-8x
Step 4: Plant Your Garden
- Prepare the Site: Clear any grass or weeds from the area where your raised bed will sit.
- Place Your Raised Bed: Position the assembled frame in the desired location, ensuring it's level.
- Fill with Soil: Once your raised bed is in place, fill it with soil, leaving a few inches of space at the top to prevent overflow when watering.
With your raised bed built and filled with soil, it's time for the fun part – planting! Choose a variety of vegetables, herbs, or flowers to suit your tastes and climate. Remember to space your plants according to their specific requirements, and water them regularly to help them thrive.
Step 5: Maintenance
One of the benefits of raised beds is that they require less maintenance than traditional garden beds. Keep an eye on your plants for signs of pests or disease, and water as needed. Over time, you may need to add more soil or compost to replenish nutrients.
Conclusion
Building a raised bed is a fantastic way to create a productive and beautiful garden space. With just a few materials and a little elbow grease, you can enjoy fresh vegetables, herbs, and flowers right outside your door. So why wait? Roll up your sleeves and start building your perfect raised bed today! Till next time Harvick Farms gardening buddies.