This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Please read our disclosure policy.
A job always sounds daunting before you start. When I began mulling over the idea to convert my vegetable garden into raised beds, I assumed it would be difficult and very time-consuming. I was wrong! Putting a raised bed together takes a couple of hours at most and the benefits are endless. Raised beds offer great drainage, decreased weeds, and easier gardening. But you don’t need to hear me preach the benefits; I want you to see just how easy it is!
Watch how to make these raised garden beds:
My bed is 4 feet by 24 feet. This is large for most and I don’t expect anyone to actually want that. Attached is the layout for a standard 8-foot by 4-foot bed with all the materials needed. Download the PDF here.
Prepare your area by clearing the grass or anything that may be setting roots into the ground. I like to make the bed above ground then set it in place.
Here’s the general process for raised garden beds:
- Put the bed together starting with one post and continue until the bed is completed.
- Dig your footing holes for the posts and turn the raised bed over to set in place.
- Backfill holes with dirt. I use a mixture of 1/2 topsoil and 1/2 compost mixed with 1-2 cubic feet of perlite (or vermiculite). Add the soil, compost and perlite alternately and mix together.
- I finished my bed with post caps and finials because, well, it’s me and I always have to go a little over the top.
Once complete, you’re ready to let the bed set over the winter. If you don’t have access to good quality compost, place as many leaves in the bed as possible and let them compost over winter.
I’m not an expert but I do love gardening. While I may be young, I’ve been gardening for years and have found a raised bed to be super beneficial. I hope you’re inspired to try your own!
Living on a farm in Kansas we have loads of rabbits that love to devour our tasty gardens. How do you keep these rascals out of your beds?
Hi love allll your videos and Instagram
Lots of good questions in your comments
But no reply???
Would love some answers:)
Hey! Would putting down plastic under the dirt be a bad idea? I’m trying to figure out what to put underneath and around my raised beds to keep the weeds from getting through.
Thank you for the raised bed video!! I wondered how or rather, what type of wood to use, as it would decay eventually, but the idea of CEDAR is just great! Thank you and keep posting!!!
I have never planted a vegetable garden before. I can’t wait to get started. I would like to do raised beds like yours, but I can’t start until late April. I want to plant this Spring, any help tips. I love all your recipes and canning info. Thank you
Thank you for the video! I am so inspired to do this, however it is January and of course Spring is just 2 short months away. For a successful raised garden is it necessary to startbin the fall and let it sit during the winter months?
Its beautiful! Thanks for the guidance 😉
I truly love your gardening setup! I use to have one similar to yours but after the kids were grown, we resorted to large pots and a smaller yard. I even grow blueberries in my pots and have peaches also!
Love watching your videos and following you…making one of your soups this weekend!
Thank you so much, we have a 1/2 acre that I have wanted to move our garden area to and do this but being new to gardening wasn’t sure how to do it. But finding you on F/B has inspired me so greatly. And I am learning all kinds of new things, in everything that I so enjoy!! I love your videos and look forward to seeing you everyday!! Your actually my highlight of the day, and it makes me happy to see you!!! Keep up your fabulous shares! Thank you again for this web site you share!!!
Thank you for this very helpful information and video. Since I’m unable to kneel and care for a garden as I once was able to do, this video about raised gardens is great. Now, I just need to find someone who can make one for me! Wanna come up the road about an hour (I have a farm in Iowa), make a new video about raised beds to post on your site? LOL