Elevated planters make get almost any plant life easier . you’re able to make your own in just a few simple steps .

A recruit bed can work out various garden problems , especially if your yard has hard - packed , inadequate soil . Rather than try on to dig a new garden bed in the flat coat , a raised bed lets you rise above it all .

Besideshaving fewer weedsto passel with , growing in rarefied bedscan eliminate some bending and kneeling that can make horticulture in regular planting beds feel like a major exercising . Another bonus of raised garden beds : The soil in it warm quicker in spring so thatyou can get plant a little earlier , and it also drains more quickly in wet weather . While you’re able to buyplenty of raised bed kit , make your own out of a few wooden boards is not too unmanageable .

plant filled raised garden bed

Credit: Jay Wilde

What You Need

Step 1: Mark Off Garden Bed Frame

get by determine how grownup you want yourgarden bedstead to be . If you ’re not sure , set about with a 4x4 - foot square garden bottom frame ; it ’ll be big enough for a mixture of plant life but small enough that you may still reach the sum of the bed . Rake andlevel the groundso that yourraised bedwill lie flat .

Step 2: Create Garden Bed Frame Walls

startle with four 1 - groundwork - long 4x4s for the corner posts ; eight 4 - foot - long 2x6s for the side runway ; and four 2 - foot - long 2x2s for the midway post ( you’re able to buy these sizes from your local ironware computer memory , or cut them to size if necessary ) .

place your 4x4s on each corner of your square to shape a garden bed chassis . Then pick a wall to start with and eff your first 2x6 to link up the corners of the raised bed . Stack a 2d 2x6 on top of the first . The end of the 2x6 circuit board should be even with the sides of the billet . Use an slant foursquare to make certain the rails and posts are line up at correct Angle .

Step 3: Connect Garden Bed Frame Walls

Stand the garden bottom flesh sidewalls upright and opposite each other , with the posts on the exterior . Screw the two side rails to the posts to forge the other wall of the raised bed . Again , the conclusion of the rails should be even with the sides of the posts .

Step 4: Square Up Garden Bed Frame

Measure diagonally in both directionsacross the raised bed to check that the frame is square . Then , adjust the provoke layer until both diagonals are adequate in duration .

Step 5: Make Garden Bed Frame Sturdy

Take a 2x2 interest and set it at the middle percentage point of one of the garden layer frame ’s outside walls . cut into or pound it into the ground , so the top of the stake is degree with the top of the side track . Fasten the stake to the lift bed side rails with deck prison guard . Repeat with each of the stay three garden layer frame walls .

Step 6: Fill Garden Bed Frame with Soil

Once you ’ve build your raised garden bed , make full the figure with topsoil . If you want , amend the dirt with lots of organic matter , such as compost or peat moss . Water the elevate bed well , and you ’re quick to plant !

raised garden bed step 1

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

raised garden bed step 2

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

raised garden bed step 3

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

raised garden bed step 4

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

raised garden bed step 5

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

raised garden bed step 6

Credit: Peter Krumhardt