How to create a raised flower bed
What is the cheapest way to make raised beds?
Used bricks and breeze blocks are cheap or even free. Breeze blocks laid on their side can make a good cheap and safe raised bed and form a seat to sit and garden from. Old planks nailed or screwed around a simple frame of corner stakes that have been well hammered in is cheap and very simple to make.
What do I put on the bottom of a raised garden bed?
The bottom of a raised garden bed should be a layer of grass clippings, leaves, wood chips, straw, and other organic material. The cardboard should be placed on top of that layer. The organic material will turn into compost, while the cardboard will prevent weeds.
What kind of wood should I use for raised beds?
In most cases, cedar is the best wood to use for garden beds because cedar is naturally rot resistant. Western red cedar is commonly used, but Vermont white cedar, Port Orford (yellow) cedar and Juniper are also high-quality choices for outdoor construction projects.
How deep should a raised bed garden be?
A raised bed does not have to be very deep to be effective. Eight to 12 inches is usually adequate. If drainage is a problem, or if the plants you are growing prefer drier soil, the bed could be taller and filled with a porous growing medium.
Should I put rocks in the bottom of my raised garden bed?
Since you’re putting your highest-quality soil on the surface, whatever’s underneath will need to drain off an excess of moisture. Avoid using materials like rocks on the bottom of your raised bed, as this can create an artificial water table that will prevent good drainage.
Should I line my raised garden bed with plastic?
You can line your raised bed to make it more durable and to prevent toxics from leaching into the soil. For lining, use landscape fabric found at garden supply stores or cloth fabric from clothing. Avoid non-porous plastic, as it can retain too much water and discourage beneficial insects and worms.
Can you put cardboard on the bottom of a raised garden bed?
Cardboard is another great material for putting at the bottom of a raised bed if you‘re on a budget. Like newspaper, it is also very cheap and easy to get your hands on. Cardboard will eventually decompose overtime however, since it is thicker and more durable than newspaper, its decomposition will take much more time.
Do I need to cover my raised garden bed?
The plastic may be laid directly on the soil surface as well. Either way, soil will be protected from six months of pummeling rain. This way, your soil will warm more quickly in the spring and soil nutrients will not be lost in run off.