How to Make a Raised Bed for Gardening

Raised bed gardening has advantages over conventional gardening if you prepare the beds correctly.

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.