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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!
I’m sure you have written some books particularly about growing vegetables and planting in the fall. do you have something you can recommend to me. I am retired and would like to start a hobby on my patio .thank you so very much🌞
Lorraine
Your smile is contagious!!!
I absolutely love your recipes!! Can’t stop watching..with your fresh new ideas!! Thank you for a breath of fresh air of ideas for recipes…made me want to cook again!!
Hi there!
I started watching your presentations about a week ago and have been so impressed by your gardening and vegetarian cooking techniques.
I checked your website & found instructions on how to build a raised bed. I’m in Florida and I want to know where I could make/buy one for my covered/screened patio to plant herbs and a few veggies. Any tips on this.
I just love your lively presentations! May the force be with you!!
Thank you! I asked for this but it was already here!
Love watching your videos. Love your energy.
If I am putting a raised bed on top of grass, do I need to dig up the grass b4 I put soil, compost and nutrients down?
love love love all you do so inspiring Greetings from mississippi
I love all your videos and your sense of humor Kaleb! You are so pleasant and entertaining to watch…very positive. I love your tips, grandma & mother references and your why would you or would not comments! I am starting my first garden boxes soon! Thank you!
FYI, I love you!!! You make me feel like I can do things that I love and be successful at it, especially since you live relatively close to me and are probably in the same zone and similar weather in real time.
I appreciate all you do and hope you continue—just wish I was younger! All the information you give I will use as much as I can, as I am in the winter of my life, but your personality is what encourages me to enjoy life. Thank you 🙏🏻 😘