Easiest & Most Effective DIY Raised Garden Bed Plans (2024)

FAQs

What is the easiest thing to grow in a raised bed? ›

Here are a few suggestions: Tomatoes: Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in raised beds because they require relatively little space and are easy to care for. Peppers: Like tomatoes, peppers are also relatively easy to grow in raised beds. They prefer well-draining soil and lots of sunshine.

Old shelves make a great foundation for a raised garden bed, as they are inexpensive and easy to install. Some other garden ideas include repurposing old furniture, such as bedframes or side tables, to create a raised garden bed. This way, you can save money by using materials that are readily available in your home.

Some gardeners chose to implement a barrier at the bottom to keep out pests and weeds. Below are a few materials you can use: Cardboard or newspaper: Cardboard is a great option if you are on a budget. You can line the bottom of your raised garden bed with cardboard and newspaper to deter pests and weeds.

As a general rule, put tall veggies toward the back of the bed, mid-sized ones in the middle, and smaller plants in the front or as a border. Consider adding pollinator plants to attract beneficial insects that can not only help you get a better harvest, but will also prey on garden pests.

Corn, beans, and squash are all excellent crops to grow together. These are larger crops, but if you have a big enough raised garden bed, it's no problem. The corn stalks provide a support structure for the beans, the beans add nitrogen to the soil, and the squash leaves protect the roots. A master companionship!

On average, a DIY raised bed constructed from wood will cost $25 to $50 per square foot. To have a wooden raised bed constructed and installed for you, budget for at least $100 per square foot. (Find a kitchen garden company in your area.)

They should have at least 8 inches of soil depth to accommodate the root systems of plants, because the majority of plant roots require 6 – 8 inches of soil for healthy root growth. A depth of 8 – 12 inches will suffice for most gardening situations.

Some experts recommend specific heights based on their experience and expertise. Lucy Chamberlain suggests keeping beds lower for sandy soil and higher for heavy clay plots. Steve Bradley recommends knee height – about 18 inches tall – while John Negus advises a depth of at least 18 inches to 2 feet for long-term use.

It acts as a physical barrier to block out pernicious weeds. Usually, 2 – 3 layers of cardboard will suffice, though you may want layers in more weed-prone areas. The damp environment created by the cardboard is conducive to earthworms and other beneficial soil microorganisms.

For a 4x8-foot raised bed with a 6” height, using Mel's Mix: about 5 cubic feet each of compost, peat moss, and vermiculite is needed. It usually takes about two to three bags of purchased fertile mix (1.5 cubic feet each) to cover the bed surface to a depth of 2 inches.

Do you put landscape fabric under raised beds? ›

Depending on your budget and gardening goals, you can line the bottom of your raised garden beds with wide-mesh hardware cloth, stainless steel mesh, landscape fabric, burlap sack, or newspaper/cardboard.

The traditional basic vegetable garden design has been straight and long rows running from north to south. Usually anything growing tall, like corn, beans or peas are planted on the north side of the vegetable garden to keep them from casting shade on the shorter crops.

Some annuals you might want to grow in your raised bed garden are petunias, pansies, basil, lemongrass, and vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, squash, and onions. Bonus tip: To help reduce the chance of disease and pests, you don't want to grow annual vegetables in the same spot year after year.

Carrots, beets, and radishes are some of the root vegetables that will really benefit from the improved soil. Spinach, chard, arugula, kale, and lettuce are some leafy greens to plant in raised beds. These quick-growing greens can be planted together or interplanted with other vegetables.