How Do I Make Raised Garden Beds?

Thinking of putting some raised garden beds into your backyard, but not sure what to use to keep the soil in? Here are some great ideas that will not only look great, but keep your garden healthy and your plants thriving.

What are the benefits of raised garden beds?

There are a number of functional benefits that come with incorporating raised garden beds into your backyard (not just because it looks great!) Some of these include:

• They prevent certain kinds of weeds that grow along the ground from getting to your precious plants.

• Stopping the soil from being washed away when you experience a bit of wet weather.

• Acts as a barrier between your plants and some creepy crawlies that like to munch on them, such as slugs and snails.

• Enhances the soil by making it warmer, and draining some of the excess moisture away.

What do I need to make a raised garden bed?

The main go-to for raised garden beds is timber (if it’s good enough for our coops, it’s good enough for your garden!)

Raised garden beds don’t have to cost the earth, you can make them on the budget. Look for timber that meets these requirements:

• You don’t have to buy brand new - why not track down some recycled timber.

• Try and find wood that is untreated (and make sure the planks are the same height! I’ll make your life easier in the long run).

You’ll also need:

• A hammer and some nails (and some elbow grease).

• Newspaper and cardboard to line the bottom of the garden bed. This will keep the weeds from growing in to the box.

• Soil to put in the raised garden bed once your done.

• Your favourite plants!

In terms of actually making the raised garden bed, how to make it will depend on how big you want it to be. So, measure up the width and length that you want your garden bed to be, and then cut accordingly.

• Use a hammer and some nails to join the pieces of timber together, using some small pieces of wood called ‘sideboards’.

• After you’ve joined all the pieces of timber together to form a rectangle/square with your desired dimensions, soak the newspaper and cardboard in water. After it’s sufficiently damp, line the bottom of the garden bed with it.

• Fill the garden bed with your glorious soil and then voila! You've got your very own garden bed.

Growing your own fruits, vegetables and other produce is just one of the ways you can make your lifestyle more sustainable (as well as keeping chickens, of course!) Here are more ways you can make your life more eco-friendly.