DIY Raised Garden Beds for Better Yields

Climate change is causing big problems for natural weather, which is harming green spaces around the world. These green areas are very important because they provide food, support wildlife, and clean the air. Gardeners and farmers are always looking for ways to deal with the environment's challenges for growing plants.

They use organic gardening, growing plants in controlled environments like hydroponic systems, or using grow tents and greenhouses. These systems are small, portable, and easy to manage. They allow growers to give plants the right amount of nutrients, water, and light to help them grow better.

Another helpful method is using raised garden beds. In this setup, plants grow naturally, but the grower can control the soil, nutrients, and watering. Raised beds can be placed indoors or outdoors where they can get enough sunlight.

Growcycle is a great resource for anyone interested in sustainable gardening. It provides helpful information on the best ways to grow plants, especially in raised garden beds. They also offer quality products to improve soil and help grow different types of plants successfully.

Overview of DIY Raised Garden Beds

DIY Raised Garden Beds involve creating a small space for growing plants at a suitable height from the ground. Growers can create them directly on the ground or elevate them a few feet above the ground. A boundary of wood or metal is essential to keep the plants safe. These small-sized gardens can grow a large number of plants efficiently. 

They can be portable and offer different features suitable to growers. In areas not suitable for gardening, these spaces can effectively grow a huge variety of plants. Growers must add a healthy soil mix with increased organic fertilizers or better yields. 

While filling the containers of raised garden beds, growers must apply the following;

• A suitable material to prevent weed entry. 
• Small pieces of stones or gravel above the weed protecting fabric. 
• Garden compost or manure.
• A disease-free soil mix containing fertile topsoil.

Types of Raised Garden Beds

Raised garden beds come in various styles, each designed to suit different gardening needs and preferences. Here are some common types:

1. Raised Ground Beds

This type of garden bed is made by piling up soil into flat mounds, usually 6 to 8 inches high. The soil is mixed with enough compost, and the area is tilled well to prepare it.

Pros

• Well-draining soil helps to flourish the plants.
• Only healthy soil is required for its formation.
• Easy to make.

Cons

• Need organic matter application frequently.
• Prone to soil erosion.

2. Supported Raised Beds

A supported raised bed is made using healthy soil that is free of diseases or weeds. The soil is placed in a bed surrounded by materials like wood, plastic, or metal for support. Growers can shape the bed in any way they prefer.

Pros

• Weeds or pests can not attack these raised beds.
• It provides more growing space in the same area than ground-raised beds.
• It is more organized and holds the fertile soil effectively.

Cons

• It is costly due to the supporting material. 
• Growers can not alter the bed’s shape once it is created.
• Requires careful maintenance.

3. Containerized Raised Beds

These beds have tall walls and are useful in places where regular gardening isn't possible. Plenty of organic material in the containers makes the soil rich in nutrients.

Pros

• These beds are portable, and growers can be placed where better growing conditions are available. 
• Soil consumes all the applied water, preventing runoff. 
• Multiple plant types can be grown effectively.

Cons

• Soil needs frequent replenishment. 
• They require fertilizers more often. 
• Containerized raised beds are expensive.

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How to Setup a DIY Raised Garden Bed?

Setting up a raised garden bed is simple and can be done in a few steps:

1. Select a Location

An ideal location for a raised garden bed should have the maximum sunlight exposure. Vegetable crops grow best in 6 to 8 hours of full sunlight. Gardeners can place raised beds containing:

• Kale
• Lettuce
• Mustard greens
• Spinach

in areas with moderate or less sunlight. The surface where growers plan to create a raised bed should be smooth and easy to maintain. 

2. Know the Measurements

Growers can rely on containerized raised beds for highly efficient plant growth. The bed should be 6 to 12 feet long. A 6-foot-long raised bed is fine for planting herbs, shrubs, and other smaller plants, but a 12-inch bed is often more spacious, allowing a diversity of plants to grow. The ideal depth for an efficient raised garden bed is 16 to 18 inches. Within this range, roots can develop well to encourage healthier plants. 

3. Get the Supporting Materials

Wood is preferable for creating durable and robust supporting materials that withstand various stresses. Growers can set up sturdy raised beds using redwood or cedar, the most durable and safe wood types. Cedar is resistant to rot attacks, making it a safer choice for raised garden beds. 

Other options for building a raised garden bed include metal, concrete, or even bricks, but wood is preferable due to its durability and convenience. Additionally, nails and screws are essential for assembling different components. 

4. Make the Bed

Measure the area where the raised garden bed is to be set and cut the wood pieces accordingly. After cutting the wood to the desired size, growers can add the wood seal to ensure a durable raised bed. Before placing the bed, clear the ground of any unnecessary objects, plant residue, or debris. Ensure the surface is even before placing the raised bed. 

5. Assemble the Walls

After placing the foundation of the raised garden bed, growers should now connect all the pieces cut for the sides. Use nails and pins to secure all the pieces tightly, forming a sturdy structure for plant growth. At first, connect the smaller corners by placing them on an even surface. 

Afterward, secure the shorter pieces to more significant woods. Keep the nails at a reasonable distance so the parts do not split during planting. Moreover, secure braces can be connected to the longer wood pieces for further safety. 

6. Add Weed Protection

Due to its height and the fence on its sides, weeds and pests can barely enter a raised garden bed. However, the crowding of plants may introduce such issues into the soil. Add a weed-blocking landscape fabric or hardware cloth at the base of the raised garden bed.

Cut the hardware cloth into pieces similar to the bed’s length and attach them from one side to the other. To attach the pieces of hardware cloth, growers may use screws or wires. 

7. Introduce the Soil

Raised garden beds should have healthy soil with enough nutrients and moisture to support strong root growth. The soil pH should be adjusted to be either alkaline or acidic, depending on the plant's needs.

It is best not to use regular garden soil in these beds. Instead, use a high-quality soil mix or make sure the mixture includes fertile soil, organic nutrients, and a layer of compost. Compost helps the soil hold moisture better and keeps it slightly warmer than usual.

8. Start Planting

Gardeners should choose the right plants for raised garden beds. These beds can support many types of plants. However, some plants, like corn, grains, and invasive herbs like mint, should be avoided. They should also consider each plant's proper depth and spacing and arrange them carefully in the raised bed.

Raised Garden Beds vs. In Ground Beds

Raised garden beds and ground beds are two popular ways to grow plants, each with its own benefits and challenges. Choosing between them depends on soil quality, space, and personal preferences. Here is a quick comparison:

Benefits of Raised Garden Beds

Raised garden beds have many benefits that make gardening easier and more effective.

Benefits of Raised Garden Beds

• Better Drainage: The soil in raised beds drains well, which helps prevent water from collecting and making the soil too wet. This is especially good for plants that don’t like standing water around their roots.
• Improved Soil Quality: Gardeners can add the best quality soil to raised beds, which helps plants grow better. This is especially useful if the natural soil in the area isn’t great for gardening.
• Easier to Care For: Raised garden beds are higher off the ground, making it easier for gardeners to work without bending down too much. This makes gardening more comfortable, especially for people with back or knee problems.
• Better Pest Control: Raised beds can make it harder for pests like rabbits or insects to reach the plants, helping reduce the damage they can do to the garden.
• Longer Growing Season: The soil in raised beds warms up faster in the spring, so plants can start growing earlier. This also gives gardeners a longer time to grow plants before the cold weather arrives.
• Less Weeding: Raised garden beds are less likely to have weeds because the soil is not as compacted as it is in the ground. This makes it easier to keep the garden tidy and reduces the time spent pulling weeds.

Suitable Plants to Grow in a Raised Garden Bed

Raised garden beds are ideal for many types of plants. Here are some suitable options to grow in them:

1. Vegetables

The best vegetables to grow in a raised garden bed are:

• Carrots
• Onions
• Cabbage
• Spinach
• Tomatoes

It is important not to use regular garden soil, as it may have weeds and pests and can be too compact. Instead, a good-quality soil mix with plenty of nutrients and a pH level between 6.0 and 7.5 is recommended.

Growers can add organic nutrients to the soil in raised beds, depending on the needs of the plants. Raised beds help protect vegetables from pests and winter cold. Here’s how raised beds work well for certain vegetables:

• Onions need a long growing season, and growing them in raised beds makes harvesting easier. Spring is the best time to plant them, and they will be ready to harvest in about 100 days. Regular nutrient applications help them grow better.
• Potatoes grow well in the loose, nutrient-rich soil of raised beds. Plant them at a depth of 6 inches in soil with the right pH. They need plenty of sunlight and should not be watered until sprouts appear.
• Lettuce grows best in well-drained soil with lots of sunlight. It usually takes about 30 days for lettuce to mature in a raised bed. 

2. Bedding Plants

Efficient DIY Raised Garden Beds can support the growth of various bedding plants, including:

• Marigolds
• Geraniums
• Pansies

The extended warmer soil in the raised garden beds considerably supports flowering growth. To grow bedding plants effectively, growers should plant cool-season seeds in spring. At the same time, plants like petunias are preferable to plant in summer.

In consistently moist and nutrient-rich soil, ornamental plants like petunias and marigolds take around six weeks to grow in raised beds. Some varieties take longer to mature. Overall, raised garden beds are ideal hotspots for growing vibrant varieties of planting beds. 

3. Herbs    

Gardeners can grow a wide variety of herbs using raised garden beds.

• Cilantro
• Chives
• Parsley
• Basil
• Thyme
• Rosemary

are ideal for these spaces. They do not need more expansive spaces and can grow in any area. These plants require moderate sunlight. A combination of flowering herbs is home to several beneficial insects that improve pollination. 

Gentle, consistent moisture is crucial for the optimal growth of herbs. Such plants do not require excessive use of synthetic fertilizers. However, growers can add organic fertilizers or, preferably, compost to fulfill nutrient requirements. It is easy to plant several herb species in a single raised bed.

However, growers should avoid planting invasive herbs in the raised garden beds. Moreover, frequent pruning of the existing herbs is recommended to prevent crowding in the bed. 

4. Smaller Shrubs

Smaller shrubs are other prominent plants that can grow well in a raised garden bed.

• Lavender
• Boxwood
• Mugo pine
• Dwarf hydrangeas
• Junipers

are ideal shrubs for this purpose. All these shrubs can grow efficiently in smaller spaces in well-draining soils and require fewer maintenance measures.  

The plants have a shallow root system, making them perfect for planting in small spaces. They need consistent, gentle moisture to grow well. Adding organic matter helps maintain the right soil temperature, creating a better plant environment.

Raised garden beds can hold different types of shrubs, and their bright flowers show a healthier area. Proper spacing is important when planting seeds; for fully grown shrubs, it's important to trim any overgrown parts regularly.

Fertilizing Tips for DIY Raised Garden Beds

Here are some common tips growers should keep in mind while adding fertilizers to the DIY Raised Garden Beds:

• Growers should undergo a soil test before applying any fertilizer. This helps them understand the soil’s nutrient chemistry and feed the plants accordingly. 
• Growers may consider a fertilizer with a gradual-release formulation while planting vegetables, herbs, or flowering plants in raised garden beds. 
• Spring is the best time to feed the soil. Growers may opt for any organic material suitable for the plants, including compost, manure, or fish emulsions. 
• The ideal NPK ratio for spring fertilizers contains equal content of all the macronutrients. 
• Green plants prefer high nitrogen fertilizer during active growth, while vegetables require liquid fertilizers with high potassium and phosphorus to support abundant produce. 
• For liquid fertilizers, growers should undergo frequent applications, while the slow-release options may last for a long. 
• It is crucial to carefully read the recommended amounts from the fertilizer’s packaging before its application.
• Avoid applying too much fertilizer; otherwise, it will cause a nutrient burn.
• Growers should compost organic matter before applying it, as fresh organic matter may negatively impact plant growth. 

Increase Efficiency of Raised Garden Beds

Here are some common things growers should do for a better growing experience in raised garden beds:

• Do not place a raised bed near a mature tree in the garden, as its expansive root network may hinder the nutrients available for smaller plants in the bed. 
• Rotate different crops in a raised garden to avoid the rapid nutrient depletion from the soil.
• Apply the nutrients at the right time and in precise amounts, as the minimal soil in a raised bed requires fewer nutrients.
• Double-check the connections of the raised garden bed’s frame while assembling different components.
• Ensure the soil gets proper mulch, which is crucial for maintaining ideal temperatures.  

FAQs

What not to fill a raised garden bed with?

Growers should avoid filling their raised beds with contaminated soil, fresh organic manure, and large gravel in the raised garden beds as they may hinder plant growth. Moreover, they should not use non-biodegradable materials to fill a raised bed. 

Why do beds have to be raised?

Raised beds are best for gardeners with limb impairment or mobility issues. They are portable and can improve growers' gardening experiences in many ways. 

What is the safest material for raised beds?

Various materials can be considered safe for use in raised beds. Ideally, growers may choose concrete, bricks, or galvanized steel to make the frames. These materials ensure safer and more durable beds. 

The Bottom Line

Shifting to a raised garden bed can make gardening much easier and better. Once set up properly, these beds can help growers to improve plant growth and soil quality. Both beginners and experienced gardeners can build DIY raised beds to make their garden more efficient.

Raised garden beds allow growers to grow food at home or better use urban spaces. However, proper care, including adding nutrients and replenishing the soil, is important to keep the garden healthy. Growcycle offers a variety of products to meet the needs of plants in raised beds. Growers can find the best nutrients for a green thriving garden and tools for better gardening.

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

About the Author

Victor Miller

Environmental Journalist Focused on Sustainable Agriculture

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, where he covers the latest news, trends, and innovations in sustainable agriculture. He has a deep passion for storytelling that emphasizes ecological balance and responsible farming practices.

Before joining Growcycle, Victor worked for several agricultural and environmental publications, reporting on significant environmental issues and interviewing key figures in the sustainability sector. His work has been featured in various industry journals and online platforms.