How to Build a Raised Bed Garden in 4 Easy Steps
Posted by Dave Jury at
Gardening has become a popular hobby as people have found themselves spending a bit more time at home. It’s not only a great way to stay productive, it’s also incredibly rewarding when you get to (literally) enjoy the fruits of your labor.
But you may be worried you don’t have enough space at home to make a proper garden. Don’t let that stop you from using your green thumb — you can easily build a garden bed that suits your needs and space.
Here’s why you should consider building a raised garden bed at home, and how you can start growing your own vegetables, fruits, and flowers.
The Benefits of Building a Raised Garden
Gardening is a fun way to do your part and give back to the planet as you grow a plethora of plants. It can help reduce your carbon footprint as you reduce the amount of greenhouse gases used to produce your food.
It’s well-known how therapeutic and fruitful gardening can be as a hobby. But, you may be overwhelmed at the thought of building a home garden. You might be concerned you don’t have the space, or that it may be too expensive to get started.
It’s easier than you may think to get growing at home, no matter your living situation. Building a raised bed garden is a fast, easy, and affordable way to make the most of your space and begin growing a variety of flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
Materials You’ll Need to Build a Home Garden
You don’t need experience as a gardener or a landscaper to build a raised bed garden. You only need a few materials, and it shouldn’t cost you much to get started.
The materials needed to build a basic raised garden bed are:
- Lumber of your choice — you can use two 2-by-12 planks that are 8 feet long, and two that are 4 feet long
- Rebar for support — 12 pieces, each 2 feet long.
- Rubber mallet
- Cardboard
- Soil of your choice
- BONUS: For a quick and easy way to organize your garden bed, check out our line of adjustable divider inserts.
Keep in mind that the longevity of your garden bed depends on the quality of your materials. If you’re going the cheapest route, your garden may not last as long as one made with sturdier materials.
You don’t need to splurge, though. While cedar and cypress are naturally rot-resistant, they’re known to be a bit expensive. If you’re just starting out, consider using pine, as it’s easy to find and one of the cheapest kinds of wood out there.
Keep in mind that you may need to replace pine every 5 to 6 years, as it isn’t as resistant to rot and insects.
How To Build Your Raised Garden Bed
You don’t need to be a carpenter to build a sturdy home garden bed. With a bit of patience, you’ll have your personal vegetable garden thriving in no time.
Here’s how you can build a raised bed garden:
- Position your boards: Decide on a level area of your yard that receives appropriate sunlight for what you would like to grow. Place your boards down with the corners touching
- Prop up the sides: Place a board on its side and hammer in a couple of pieces of rebar a few inches deep in the ground and repeat. Begin with the center and corners to stabilize your plank. Make sure the sides of your planks meet.
- Reinforce the frame: Depending on the length of your planks, you may need more or less rebar for support. After setting your placeholders, reinforce the space in between, making sure your pieces of rebar are around a foot apart from each other. There should be 6 to 10 inches of rebar exposed.
- Fill with soil: Line your garden bed with cardboard, soak it, and fill it with soil a few inches from the top.
And there you have it, your own home garden.
What to Plant (and When)
Summer’s sunshine and warmer temperatures mean it’s the perfect time to grow cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers. Popular flowers during this time of season include aromatic lavender, poppies, and marigolds.
As things begin to cool down in fall, you may think it’s time to put away your gardening tools, but there’s still so much you can grow. Beans, turnips, and collard greens are especially popular around this time of year. These vegetables are sure to add a bit of soul and comfort to any dish. Popular flowers include asters, dahlias, and black Susan’s.
You may not see many people tending their gardens when winter hits, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out. You can still grow hardy vegetables like kale, Brussel sprouts, and carrots. Snowdrops and coneflowers can also give your garden a pop during this season. Remember to protect your crops from freezing with a layer of mulch or a mini tunnel.
Spring is the perfect time of year to make the most of your garden. Grow asparagus, onions, and herbs to add a kick to your meals. Tulips, daffodils, and bluebells are popular this time of year and are some of the prettiest flowers you can grow in the comfort of your home.
Keep Your Garden Neat and Organized With Drawer Essentials
Building a small home garden is an excellent way to keep yourself busy and offers endless benefits for the mind and body. With the right materials and a bit of hard work, you can have your own personal garden, grow your own produce, and turn your yard into a work of art.
Gardening can be a great way to break into spring. And while you’re getting organized and creative, make sure you consider sprucing up other areas of your home by keeping things neat and tidy with Drawer Essentials.
We offer customized, easy-to-install organizers that will keep your drawers and cabinets clutter-free. You’ll never lose a gardening tool again.