How to Build a Raised Bed for Vegetables
An unusual article for us to be writing here at Bestraisedgardenbeds. If you know of us you will be aware that we generally inform you about the best preformed raised garden bed planters that are available on the maret.
However it is only right that we do touch on the fact that you can build and form your own raised bed of which many have done in the past as long as you follow the correct steps.We will touch on how to Build a Raised Bed for Vegetables
Photo by congerdesign on Pixabay
A raised bed planter can be made using common materials such as wood,brick,corrugated steel or metal and even these days plastic that you might have on hand, and require only basic skills to build.
If building your own garden bed planter isnt for you then you can find plenty of information of pre made raised beds at bestraisedgardenbeds.comHere are some tips on how to build a raised bed for your home garden.
it is much easier to manage the soil in a raised bed than in an excavated area of your garden; the soil warms faster in a raised bed; weeds are less likely to take hold , you reduce risk of contamination and it creates perfect conditions for climbing plants like tomatoes and lettuce;.
Decide on the size and shape of your raised bed
The first step in planning a raised bed garden is deciding on its size and shape. Raised beds are typically built to a depth of about 12 to 18 inches, but this depth can be greater or lesser depending on your specific gardening needs.
A wider bed will give you more growing space, but a n. The shape of your bed can be rectangular, square, or even round. You can also make a curved bed if you want to add a unique touch to your garden.
When deciding on the size and shape of your raised bed, keep in mind both the type of vegetables you want to grow and their expected yield.
A key factor you must consider is orientation. Think about where your current garden or outdoor space gets the sun first thing in the morning and where and when it loses sunlight.This will differ dependant on your location but isis very important to now.
Marking the bed’s outline
Once you have decided on the size and shape of your bed and its location you will need to mark its outline. You can use wooden stakes or garden marking flags todo this on the corners or outline of the bed. Then, use an edging spade to dig a rough outline of the bed about 6 inches deep.
Be sure to leave an area around the bed to allow yourself access to tend to your produce.
Build the frame
It is time to construct your frame. You can use a variety of materials to build your frame, including untreated timber,Cedar, cinder blocks, bricks, concrete blocks, ,Corrugated steel sheets and even old rail sleepers
Whichever materials you decide on your raised bed will need to be level so be sure to pick a flat area with little to no gradient.This is quite easy to do you eill need to use a level to ensure that eachindividual piece dits at the same height.
Think of what it ios you are oing to grow. Is it a deep routed vegetable. If so then ensure you make the fepth of your bed sufficient enough If you plan to grow a lot of vegetables together ensure you give yourself enough length and width.
You may want to consider lining your raised bed with a protective liner but this is not essential. I does help with moderating the temperature ,can maintain moisture,help mitigate weed infestation and can deter pests.
Check out the video below to use as a guideline
The main Tips for building a raised bed
Measure the area where you want to build a raised bed.
Mark out the bed’s outline on the ground with stakes and string.
Smooth out your raised bed’s bottom surface so it is level and flat. This will make it easier to add the build up of your organic matter or soil .
If you choose add a fabric liner to your raised bed ensure there is some perferation to allow air flow and drainage.
You can mix organic materials like straw or wood chips into your soil to improve drainage and help the soil retain water. – Don’t forget to add compost to your soil before you plant.This will help nutrients and minerals break down so that they are available for your plants.
Remember Vegetables grown in raised beds can be grown much closer together compared to those in the open ground. Make sure that they are well fed with a general purpose fertiliser to support the dense, quicker growth.
Where can you purchase tour materials
You can purchase your materials to make a raised bed at most outlets such as Home depot, Weyerhaeuser Co.Sierra Pacific Industries plus many many more
Conclusion
While there are many advantages to building a raised bed, there are also a few disadvantages. The main disadvantage of a raised bed is its cost relative to an in-ground garden.
Depending on the materials used to build it, a raised bed can be more expensive to build than simply planting directly into your existing garden however that is sometimes just not possible for many reasons.It can also be a very pleasing ddition to any garden or open space area
