Tips For Gardening In Raised Beds

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Preparing a raised garden bed is similar to preparing an in ground bed. The difference is that the former is set up above the ground. Although you rarely have to dig the ground out before setting up the bed, the groundwork is still time consuming. If you are interested in learning how to prepare a raised garden bed, consider the following steps.

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1

Draw out a plan of your raised garden. Label where you want each vegetable and flower to grow. Remember to add room for you to maneuver around your garden for harvesting and picking if your garden is for vegetables.^[1]
2

Choose a location for your raised garden bed. Ideally, you should select a place that sits in the sun at least 6 hours in a day.^[2]
3

Decide on the height of your raised bed. If you cannot till your current land, then the plants or flowers you grow will have to depend on the soil in your garden bed. Therefore, expect to build a raised bed that is approximately 3 feet (0.91 m) high. If your land is conducive to planting, then you only need to build a raised bed that is 8 inches (20.32 cm) high.^[3]
4

Decide on the size of your garden and lay out the perimeter. If you choose to use corner posts, lay out a hose or string to define the boundaries of your garden. Position your corner posts and dig a trench approximately 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 cm) deep from post to post along the marked edges. Alternatively, for a more simple design, omit the corner posts and lay out your two side walls and front/end boards so that they form a rectangle.^[4]
5

Assemble your garden bed frame. Secure each side wall by screwing it together with the neighboring front or end board. The front and end boards can be placed either inside or outside of the side walls but be sure to be consistent on both ends.^[5]
6

Level the frame. Dig and add soil where necessary to level the frame. Make sure that the frame is securely in place since it will be keeping your soil and growing plants or flowers from eroding.^[6]
7

Get the base of your raised bed cleaned up before adding the topsoil. If you have Bermuda grass, you will have to remove it with a shovel; otherwise, just get rid of the big weeds, rocks and other debris. Pour the topsoil into the frame. You can also mix in some compost for added nutrition, should you feel it necessary. Just make sure that your soil, whether it's amended or not, feeds your plants and retains some moisture while providing drainage and ventilation. Additionally, you should mix the compost into the topsoil before pouring it into the frame. Once the soil is added, spread it out and rake it down.^[7]
8

Design an irrigating system for your raised vegetable or flower garden. Consider drip irrigation that waters the area. A sprinkle system with perforated hoses is also adequate. Whatever you decide, make sure that your system will not overwater your garden or waste water.^[8]

Add New Question

Question

We are the last house at the bottom of a steep hill. Our yard is always wet. How do I prepare wet soil before using raised beds?

Dathan Mitton

Community Answer

One of the best things about raised beds is that they put you in control of your soil conditions. If you have a lot of rainfall in your area, you may want to make your beds a bit deeper, and add a layer of a couple inches of sand (or even gravel) under your new soil and compost.
Question

Is it necessary to add lime and granular fertilizer to a raised flower bed?

Add lime to an acidic soil (low pH). Most plants like a pH balance between 5.5 and 6.5. Fertilizer is always a good idea (in any form except uncomposted manure).
Question

Do you have to kill the lawn before laying soil for raised bed?

Technically, you do not have to kill the lawn as the grass will naturally die over time. However, removing it fist would make it easier to set up the garden bed.
Question

Do you have to till the ground before you fill it with topsoil?

Olivia Rockey

Community Answer

You do not have to prepare the ground unless you plan on planting plants with large root systems that would reach through the topsoil.
Question

I have an existing raised flower/herb/veg garden. There are only chives from last season. What should I do to prepare the soil for planting?

To prepare the soil, first clear out all dead foliage and debris. Next, break up any hard dirt clumps and remove large rocks. Finally, mix the soil with fertilizers such as leaves, compost, and bagged fertilizer.
Question

What if I want to use bag soil, like gardening soil? How would I prepare the bed then? Would you suggest adding some paper to line the bed before? Should I mix the soil with some other fertilizer?

You can use bagged soil in your raised garden beds. There is no need to use a paper lining, but you can mix the soil with fertilizers like leaves, compost, and bagged fertilizer.
Question

I bought raised bed boxes with wood bottoms. Is this wrong. Should I cut out the bottom to make it a raised bed?

These beds will work just fine for regular herbs, fruits/veggies, and flowers. However, if you plan to grow plants with a large root system, bushes/shrubs, trees, etc. you may have to cut out the bottoms to allow the plant's root system to reach farther down.
Question

Do I have to line the bottom of the garden bed with crushed rocks?

Addison Smith

Community Answer

To stop a lot of weeds from going through the soil, line it with small/crushed rocks or weed block.