Lesson 8: Raised Beds And Container Gardening
How To Construct A Raised Bed
Constructing a raised bed is very easy and straightforward. Before you begin, choose the area you want the beds to be placed. Using a level, make certain the ground is even and free of weeds and rocks. If pests such as gophers and moles are a problem you can use chicken wire or landscape fabric once the outer frame is constructed.
Decide how large you want the bed(s) to be. Ideally, the beds should be no wider than 4 feet across to allow for easy access. If the length will be longer than 10 feet, add supporting staking along the sides to prevent splitting and bulging. Any lumber you use should be a rot resistant variety, although pretreated lumber should be avoided. Railroad ties are often used, but since many have been treated with creosote, they are undesirable. If you can find new, untreated ties, those are ideal. Have the lumberyard do the cutting and sizing for you. Use galvanized or wood screws. Use an offset pattern when nailing the boards, to prevent splitting.
Once you have your frame assembled, and if you plan on using a pest/weed barrier, lay the chicken wire or fabric, which should be cut larger than the frame, inside the box. Bend the sides up around the edges and tack into place. This will stop the furry pests from reaching the roots. Move the frame aside and dig out 3-4 inches of soil. This provides an anchor for the bed. Use a pitchfork to stab and loosen this subsoil. Finally, level again and replace the frame. Check the level one more time adding a bit of soil, until it sits correctly.
Now, here is where a bit if planning comes into play. By placing an irrigation system into the bed, you can save hours of time and lots of money. Large garden centers like Home Depot and Lowes can help you get this installed quickly and easily. Adding emitters, drips and sprayers, makes the system virtually maintenance free.
Now you can add your soil. You can use pre-mixed or build your own, using compost and other amendments. Fill the bed to the top and water it well. The soil will settle. At this point you can begin to create your ideal garden.
Topic of Discussion: What would your ideal raised garden look like?
