I used pieces of 2×6 lumber and built a wood frame, tilled the soil in the area and then filled it in with more soil and compost. However, using something like brick or concrete blocks would be good too, because wood will eventually decompose. Also, you have to be careful about what kind of wood you use — some lumber is treated to hold up in weather better, and the chemicals it is treated with (like arsenic) can leach into your soil. http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/pages/g00028.asp This is a problem especially if you are planting vegetables.
One other tip: Before you build, take a look at the slope of the land and think about how water flows across the land. I built mine near the bottom of a slope, and when it rained I realized that the raised bed was right in the path of the water running off of the slope, causing the garden to be flooded.
I just built some "bottomless" wood frames and staked them in the area and filled with soil.
Worked great for over 10 years (untreated pine) so treated or Cedar would be better.
References :
Cinder block the best raised garden.
References :
http://www.wcgardens.org/BuildBed.htm
http://www.amazon.com/Cinder-Block-Gardens-Lynn-Gillespie/dp/1929709013
Go here – pictures:
http://www.eartheasy.com/grow_raised_beds.htm
References :
I used pieces of 2×6 lumber and built a wood frame, tilled the soil in the area and then filled it in with more soil and compost. However, using something like brick or concrete blocks would be good too, because wood will eventually decompose. Also, you have to be careful about what kind of wood you use — some lumber is treated to hold up in weather better, and the chemicals it is treated with (like arsenic) can leach into your soil. http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/pages/g00028.asp This is a problem especially if you are planting vegetables.
One other tip: Before you build, take a look at the slope of the land and think about how water flows across the land. I built mine near the bottom of a slope, and when it rained I realized that the raised bed was right in the path of the water running off of the slope, causing the garden to be flooded.
References :
Not much I can add to Just a thought’s comments. We just this week finished three raised beds, made out of wood and filled with dirt that we had from another garden project. We will plant vegetables in the beds, and flowers around the beds.
We built one last year in our front yard for flowers, filling it with dirt and leaves. It has become a wonderful organic soil filled area, and the plants are thriving so good. And I seldom have a weed, so the raised bed does a great job with minimum upkeep. We used no bottoms, setting the wood frame directly on the ground. The worms do their job, the birds eat the insects, and the flowers are blooming happily. All is well; we hardily recommend raised beds.
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Turn the soil and build up and area.
Line with boards,bricks, whatever you got.
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I am so glad that you asked this. My arthritic back would so love a raised garden this year.
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You’ll want to use material that will stack easily anywhere from 8-12in high. If you happen to be placing the raised bed on a sandy soil base, line the bottom of the bed with landscape fabric to help prevent the soil from washing to help hold the soil in the bed.
Redwood or cedar work best of the woods. Avoid any of the chemically treated woods to prevent poisons seeping into the soil.
When using stones, stack them together tightly or cement them together. That way when it rains or when you water the bed, the soil will remain rather than escaping and running out through any gaps in the stones.
Add to the raised bed, purchased topsoil and purchased compost to easily create the perfect planting medium.
If you’re interested in raised bed gardening, you may wish to check out some of the raised bed kits that are available now. Gardener’s Supply has a wide variety of kits available in different shapes and mediums.
You can also check out Gardener’s Supply for some raised bed kits: http://www.gardeners.com/Raised-Beds/RaisedBed_Cat3,default,sc.html
*~ Good luck ~*
References :
http://www.gardening-quick-n-easy.com/raised_garden_beds.html
http://www.gardeners.com/Raised-Beds/RaisedBed_Cat3,default,sc.html