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Raised garden beds (also known as garden boxes) are ideal for producing vegetables and flowers. They minimize soil compaction, improve water drainage, and function as a weed and pest deterrent. They work best when placed in a sunny area and filled with good-quality soil.
Garden boxes typically have an open bottom so plants’ roots can access soil nutrients below ground level. However, you could also make a raised bed without a structure by just mounding dirt six to eight inches high and flattening the top.
Tips on Choosing Garden Boxes
We put two DIY garden boxes in our backyard a few years ago. We just made a simple structure out of cedarwood. However, there are plenty of raised garden bed kits you could buy.
A raised garden bed is typically three to four feet wide by six to eight feet long. This allows you to plant, dig, and weed from the sides without entering the garden. Raised garden beds don’t need to be tall, but taller does allow for easier weeding.
Our DIY garden boxes are 24 inches high. I love that I don’t have to kneel on the ground to weed them.
If you’re going to put your raised bed on a hard surface, such as a driveway or over hard-packed dirt, make it deep enough for plants to root. If the depth is too shallow, the roots will penetrate the subsoil and collide with the hard surface.
Whatever height you decide on for the frame of your garden boxes, you’ll need to soften the dirt under them. If you want to grow root vegetables in a bed that is only six inches high, you’ll need to loosen the soil below the ground roughly six to nine inches more.
Where to Set Up Raised Garden Beds
Most veggies require at least eight hours of full sunlight every day for optimal plant health and yield. The more sun you get, the better…
Put your garden in the brightest area of your yard. However, avoid locations where the soil can become oversaturated from water drainage. You can grow plants in shade, but you won’t get as much yield.
Remove any grass or perennial weeds from the area before putting your raised beds in their permanent location. Then, loosen the native soil to a depth of six to ten inches. This will result in better drainage.
Soil Requirements for Raised Garden Beds
The single most critical component of a successful garden is healthy soil. Fill your raised beds with a soil mixture that is superior to the natural soil in your yard. It should be rich in minerals and organic matter. According to The Home Depot, the ideal ratio is 75 percent topsoil and 25 percent screened compost. You can buy this premixed as ‘garden soil.’
Some growers use a topsoil-free combination of compost, perlite, and coco coir to fill raised garden beds. It’s a great growth medium since it’s fluffy and retains moisture.
To determine the amount of soil you need, multiply the width of your garden box by the length and the depth. This gives you the volume of your garden beds. For example, a garden box with a length of 5 feet, a width of 4 feet, and a depth of 2 feet, has a volume of 40 cubic feet. This is how much soil you’d need to get. However, there’s nothing wrong with not filling your garden boxes to the top as long as you have deep enough soil for your plants to take root.
What to Plant in Raised Garden Beds
Raised-bed gardening is popular because the soil heats up sooner in the spring, providing a longer growing season. They also minimize soil compaction, improve water drainage, and function as a weed and pest deterrent. Gardeners in many parts of the country may plant earlier in the season because the soil is warmer and better drained above ground level.
You can plant almost anything in a raised garden box — lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, herbs, onions, peppers, potatoes and more. Just be careful to provide adequate spacing so plants don’t need to compete for root space. If you plant early in the season, you also need to cover your plants at night to protect them from frost.
How to Water Plants in Raised Garden Beds
GreenHouseMag.com says most people water their gardens too much. The ideal time to water your plants is early in the morning or late in the evening.
Watering needs for raised garden beds change depending on the temperature and weather in your region. During the heat of summer, you may need to water your plants twice a day. You can buy a soil moisture meter to help you know when it’s time to water.
Raised garden beds are ideal for drip irrigation systems. You can put them on a timer to ensure your plants get all the water they need. If you just want to water your garden with a hose, make sure to get a shower nozzle to avoid damaging your plants.
Do you use garden boxes in your yard? What tips do you have to share? Leave a comment below.
