How to build a raised bed garden
Raised bed garden
By Mlynch43. Raised bed gardens are are a great way to increase the efficiency of your gardens and give yourself better control over the soil quality. Also, you can plant your vegetables much closer together in a raised bed. This reduces the amount of sunlight that reaches the soil and helps keep weeds to a minimum. The garden will be much easier to maintain and more productive. Raised bed gardens are able to retain moisture better and they seem to have fewer problems with insects as well. If you’re interested in building your own raised bed gardens keep reading and see how simple the process really is.
1).Locate the area you would like to put the new beds and dig down about 6” to loosen up the top layer and remove the weeds.
2).Assuming the beds will beds be 4′x8′ purchase three 2”x8”x8” pressure treated boards and at your home supply store. If you want you can have them cut one of the boards in1/2 for the sides. This will save you the trouble later. You will need twelve 3” galvanized wood screws. A drill bit slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw. The parts listed in this step is for one bed only.
3).Lay your boards out along the bed boundaries and drill starter holes through the first and only a little bit into the second board. You’re now ready to start the assembly. You can rub the screw into a bar of soap before putting it into the boards. This will make driving it much easier. Do this on all four corners. If you want you can add a piece of 2”x4” scrap in the corners to make them stronger.
4).Your beds are now ready to fill. Fill with a mix of good dirt and compost and mix the two up as you fill. You can mix some of a good balanced fertilizer at this point to help get your new plants off to a fast start. Pack the soil lightly and water thoroughly. You can some additional fill if you see any low spots. Once finished your new beds are ready for the plants.
