How to Make a Raised Bed for Gardening
Raised bed gardening has advantages over conventional gardening if you prepare the beds correctly.
Instructions
- Step 1: Choose a level site Select a level location for the raised bed and clear the site of any existing vegetation.
- TIP: Choose a site that gets at least eight hours of sunlight each day.
- Step 2: Construct the walls Construct the walls of the raised bed. You can use untreated lumber, bricks, concrete, or decorative blocks for construction material.
- TIP: Build 4-foot-wide beds if they will be free-standing, or 3-foot-wide beds if they will not be accessible from one side.
- Step 3: Add soil Add quality, well-draining garden soil to the bed. A mediocre soil will hold too much water.
- Step 4: Space the plants closely together Space the plants in the bed closer together than you would in a conventional garden. Keep in mind that the spacing should be adequate to let the plants mature, but close enough to discourage weeds.
- Step 5: Enjoy the fruits of your labor Enjoy higher yields from your homemade raised bed garden without the tedious maintenance of a conventional garden.
- FACT: The soil in raised beds warms up faster in the spring, allowing for earlier planting and effectively extending the growing season.
You Will Need
- Level site
- Soil amendments
- Bed walls
- Soil
- Proper plant spacing
- Adequate sunlight (optional)
- Optimal sizing (optional)