How to Create a Raised Bed

If the spot you have selected for your garden does not drain properly, you will need to create a raised garden bed. There are some plants that like a lot of water. Other plants will be over-watered and will die. Before you purchase plants, you should test the area you have selected to make sure it drains properly.

To determine if water drains properly from the area you have selected, dig a hole about 10 inches deep. Fill it with water. Check the next day to see if the water has drained. It has, fill it with water again. If the water has not drained off within 10 hours, your soil does not drain properly. if this is the best spot for your garden, you will want to create a raised garden bed.

Create a border for a small bed and add enough soil and compost to it to raise it above the rest of the yard by at least 5 inches. If your raised bed will be in a non-grassy area, create the wall that will hold the dirt you will be adding. You can use two by fours for this wall. After you have built the wall, add the proper amount of soil and manure to the raised bed. If you are not planning to plant right away, allow for deterioration of the soil.

If you plan to create a raised bed in a grassy area, you will have to be careful to make sure you create the bed properly. Build your wall. Next, you have to cut and turn the grass over. You do not want the grass to grow and invade your garden bed. Cut the sod around the perimeter of the garden bed and flip it over. You will need a sharp tool to do this properly. Once you have cut the sod and turned it over in the entire area, add a layer of straw to discourage the grass to grow. Add the soil and manure that you need for your garden bed.

Plant as you normally would. Be sure that the roots do not extend too far into the original ground level. The goal of the raised bed is to keep the roots from the soil that does not drain properly.

Your plants should thrive in your raised bed. Evaporation is prevented and the added soil will facilitate root development.

You can find the tools and supplies you need to create your dream garden on the Internet.

It is a simple process to create a raised bed. However, it does take a little work on your part. In the end, you will have the garden you desire.