First-timers may find it complicated on how to build a raised bed vegetable garden. Although they may know how it looks and how it works, some important reminders may be forgotten which may lead to frustration and unsuccessful planting at the end. This article will direct you correctly right from conception to finalization of your raised bed. Learning how to build a raised bed vegetable garden has never been this simple and complete!
How to Build a Raised Bed Vegetable Garden – 3 Questions You Should Ask Yourself
Learning the ‘how’ of some things does not just focus on the step-by-step procedures. It must be backed up with some important considerations that one must take into account first before anything else.
how to build raised vegetable garden beds
1. Where to place my garden?
- Sunlight is the primary concern of gardeners or those who would want to start a garden. Check your chosen location if it gets a minimum of eight hours of sun exposure daily.
- Source of water must also be consider although you can make use of garden hose if it’s a bit far.
2. What is my garden size?
- Width: Bear in mind that you must not step on top of the soil of the raised bed garden. Therefore, in order to do that, you should design a bed which you can access the middle from both sides, ideally that’s around 48 inches (4 ft) wide. Although of course, you can make the width shorter or wider as long as you get control of the area.
- Depth: For vegetables, you may start with six inches (1/2 ft). For other crops that require a deeper earth, 10 to 12 inches would serve best.
- Length: Regardless how long your garden you wanted it to be, you may do so.
3. How do I construct the bed?
- First, mark the outline of the bed (both inner and outer side) using a chalk or other marker.
- Next, plough at least ½ foot channel in the outline of the bed. Remove turfs and weeds then fill it out with 2 inches of gravel.
- Then, lay down the first layer of woods. After that, assemble the second layer of woods. Make use of level each time you put the timbers together.
- Finally, fill the base of the bed with three inches of gravel, followed by the quality topsoil and compost that you have.
With that three essential questions to think about, understanding how to build a raised bed vegetable garden is a lot easier and comprehensive.
How to Build a Raised Bed Vegetable Garden – Concrete Walls versus Wooden Walls
Concrete and wood are the typical materials for creating a raised bed garden. But each type has its own pros and cons which you just have to assess before choosing your wall material.
- Concrete Walls
Advantages
Learn Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening
- Keep your garden from invasion of slugs and snails.
- Preserve the moisture of the soil.
- Concrete walls are known to retain the temperature at night time which helps in extending the growing period of the plants.
- Can be corner-less or seamless.
Disadvantages
- The lime component of concrete may leach over time which can disturb the soil balance and affect the development of your vegetation.
- Wooden Walls
Advantages
- Untreated woods like cedar, oak and redwood contain natural insect-repellant properties which do not harm the plants.
- These not-chemically treated woods are also known to be durable and rot-resistant.
Disadvantages
- Wooden walls usually have gaps and holes in which weeds can get through.
- Give chance of habitation for slugs and snails.
- There’s a chance to lose soil moisture especially during hot season.
- Crops that grew in treated-wood beds can neither be labeled nor sell as organic plants.
Getting the whole picture on how to build a raised bed vegetable garden starts not just on the site or compost to be utilized but to the wall materials as well.
How to Build a Raised Bed Vegetable Garden – The Ideal Irrigation System
Gardeners and planters have seen the how simple and efficient drip watering method is. Some of the reasons why they pick this system over the other watering practices are as follows:
Benefits of Drip Irrigation Technique
- This irrigation procedure is the most practical way of watering raised bed gardens.
- It conserves significant amount of water than sprinklers.
- It supplies water directly to plant roots where it is needed.
- With automated timer, you won’t forget your watering schedule.
If you want to be successful on how to build a raised bed vegetable garden, you better be concerned on the irrigation supply as well.
How to Build a Raised Bed Vegetable Garden – Plant Your Veggies!
Once your raised bed is fully constructed, all that’s left for you to do is plant! Since you have limited space, you may not plant all types of crops especially potatoes since they would require spacious soil area, although of course, it depends on how big your garden is. The following are the top selections of veggies you may place in your ground.
Raised Bed Vegetable Garden Layout
- Carrots
It has been proven that carrots planted in raised bed grow better than those in traditional soil. The customized compost in your bed offers carrots the nutrition they need.
- Beets
Beets are easy to grow and can be harvested just after a few weeks or when they reach the size of a golf ball.
- Radishes
Similar with beets, radishes are planted and grown easily.
- Onions
They are low maintenance crop which makes them fit for raised bed planting.
If you really want to push on how to build a raised bed vegetable garden, then vegetables that are trouble-free to grow should be your preference plants.
Got educated in just few minutes with this article? Let your friends know about how to build a raised bed vegetable garden as well and be a flora enthusiasts; meanwhile, let your own idea be heard by writing out on the comment section.
