How To Build A Raised Garden Bed (for free)

Written By Tanya Melendez

Building A Raised Garden Bed

Gardening is a rewarding endeavor that allows you to grow your own fruits, vegetables, and flowers right at home. While traditional in-ground gardening has its merits, many garden enthusiasts are turning to an alternative method: raised garden beds. In this article, we're going to share some reasons why choosing a raised bed for your green endeavors might be the best decision you make.

To kick off this discussion, I'll share my personal experience. Our backyard, where we initially wanted to start our garden, wasn't exactly the ideal place. The yard was plagued with poor drainage and was prone to flooding. The higher part was constantly soggy and wet, while the bottom part tended to flood, rendering it useless for any form of gardening.

Adding to the complications, large trees covered about 80 percent of the top half of our backyard. Now, this was a blessing in disguise for our energy bills as the shade kept our house cool, but the same couldn't be said for our gardening aspirations. The abundance of shade meant a lack of sunshine, which is crucial for the growth of most plants.

With these conditions, conventional gardening was only possible in a very small space. The only viable place for a garden was a small area in our yard that received an average of 6-8 hours of full sunshine. However, the area was still prone to the drainage issues that plagued the rest of the yard.

This is where the concept of raised garden beds came into play. Raised beds allowed us to circumvent the drainage problems by building the beds high enough for proper water flow. Additionally, the raised beds could be placed in the areas that received adequate sunshine, overcoming the challenge of our shadow-laden yard.

Picture of our Backyard Garden Area Makeover. About 50% completed.

What we used:


Step1: Create a four-sided structure using 2, 3 or 4 x 10-inch lumber, that has been cut to length.

Step 2: The dimensions of your raised garden bed can vary depending on your needs and available space. Most vegetables need about 10 inches of soil to thrive.

Step 3: The garden bed should be four-feet-wide or less. Anything wider than that can make it difficult to reach the center of the bed.

Step 4: Place the shorter walls flush to the longer walls to create a rectangle.

Step 5: Drill pilot holes and use 1-1/4-inch deck screws to fasten the short walls to the ends of the long walls.

  • Note: As a general rule, raised beds are typically between 1.5 and 4 feet wide and between 4 and 10 feet long.

Raised garden beds have numerous benefits that go beyond resolving our specific issues:

  1. Improved Drainage

  2. : Raised beds allow for better water drainage, which is essential for healthy plant growth. This can be particularly beneficial in areas with heavy clay soil, where water tends to pool on the surface.

  3. Higher Yield

  4. : Raised beds can often produce a higher yield than traditional in-ground gardens of the same size due to the improved soil and drainage conditions.

  5. Less Strain on Your Back

  6. : Raised beds require less bending and stooping than in-ground gardening, making them a comfortable choice for those with back problems or mobility issues.

  7. Control Over Soil Conditions

  8. : With raised beds, you have complete control over the soil conditions. You can tailor the soil mixture to the specific needs of the plants you are growing, improving their chances of success.

  9. Reduced Weeds

  10. : Raised beds can significantly reduce the number of weeds in your garden, making maintenance easier.

  11. Extended Growing Season

  12. : The soil in raised beds tends to warm up faster in the spring, potentially giving you a head start on the growing season.

So, if you're grappling with similar issues or just looking for a more efficient way to garden, raised beds might just be the solution you need. They offer flexibility, control, and an opportunity to maximize your yield, making your gardening experience more rewarding.

Are You Interested in Being Part of the Eat Pray and Meditate Community and helping to build a core foundation? We want to hear from you, Email us eatpraymeditate@yahoo.com

Tanya Melendez
Previous

DIY Hanging Planter with Post