What is the easiest least expensive way to make a raised garden bed?
Related Discussions
GNATS - How to get rid of them?
Somehow my house and garden got tiny gnats that killed my fuchsia plant and fly everywhere. I have tried ALL the Web recommendations - soap and oil dishes, sand in th... See more
Marigolds growing! Should I pinch the buds?
My marigold plants are growing. I heard that pinching the buds until Autumn will allow them to grow without killing the plant. Is this true?
Growing garlic
Growing our first garlic, should we wait until the leaves are drying out before we pick it? Husband picked first one today along with our first potatoes.
How to keep mice out of your garden?
Hi everyone, I have mice in my garden destroying my vegetables and I have also noticed them in the barn and shed. Please can someone tell me how to prevent them from ... See more
What's the best flower/plant to grow in Texas?
I know that opinions vary, but what's your opinion?!I have great luck w Rosemary plants. Green all year long.
How can I avoid spending a fortune on potting soil?
Due to back problems, I have switched to container gardening. Not only are big pots expensive, but so is the soil! I have been told I should switch out the soil each ... See more
Ugly planter
No clue what to do with this ugly permanent planter. I want to demolish it but it looks cemented to the floor and a floor redo isn't in the budget. Ideas, suggestio... See more
Pallets would be the cheapest option.
We just completed one for my friend for this very reason. You will need to get help if you want to go this route. We did a cinderblock raised garden bed, topped with stepping stones to sit on while gardening. We constructed hers longer and narrower so she would not have to bend or reach too far to the middle of the bed. Now I want one too!
Now if you can get pallets for free, that would be the way to go. Where we live they are not free. So cinder blocks were the choice for our project. They were less than a dollar each.
Have you researched Straw Bale Gardening? I've done it and it's great. Going to do it again this year.
I did cement block as high as you want then simply build a wood box works
Google materials for a raised garden bed and lots of possibilities for various budgets come up.
I have the same problem as you. About five years ago I started doing straw bale gardening. Have had much luck. The bales sit higher off the ground for easier planting and picking. You first need to cure your bales. After setting them exactly how you want them, water them down really well. Keep them moist for about ten days. After this time they are ready to plant. If you plant seeds, put a little potting soil on top so it will sink into the bale. I then press my seeds into soil and top with a thin layer of soil. For potted plants, spread the bale where you want it and push plant down into bale. I then water them down with miracle grow. I only use the miracle grow about three times a season. Judge how your plants look if you feel it needs more miracle grow or not. As the straw decomposes this will provide the nutrients for the plants. I can get two growing seasons from the bales. Also use only straw bales Not hay bales. Good luck, I hope this helps.
Google lasagna gardening...gives great soil and you can make the beds deep enough not to bend over...I used recycled deck material for mine and it works perfect.
I share the bad knees and wanted a raised garden. My clever husband bought 8 half barrels (at the end of season for a great discount). On my deck he place 4 barrels open end down then put the other 4 on top of each one. With a power drill he added addition drain holes and screwed the barrels together. We put some stones in bottom for drainage. We got one straw bail and split between the 4 planters. We heavily watered this daily for a week. The straw packs down and will help feed plants. We put potting soil to bring up to a inches from rim.
I grew tomatoes, chives and parsley in one. Potatoes and basil. Carrots and kale. Just zucchini in the last one. We added growing cages to support tomatoes and zucchini.
This year potatoes are going in a full barrel. And we are adding spinach, thyme, and more tomatoes. Planting strawberries in reusable grocery bags. I want more herbs and green beans. I am gonna try a $5 plastic beer tub lifted on a couple of cinder blocks. Saw tub at 5 Below.
raised beds, if you see those pallets that truckers usually leave behind after hauling crates in warehouses, you can use those to make raised garden beds.
Or you can have someone build a high rock or cement wall and fill it up with
dirt, this way it will not be hard to get to your produce. I once saw on This ole house where the landscaper Roger built a wall with bricks, then filled it up with good soil, and fertilzer, and then put the produce in it. It was done for a vet who was in a wheelchair. good luck.
My husband made us raised beds out of pressure treated 2 x 12" boards. He put a square post in each corner and screwed them together. (He made the beds 8' x 4'.) He's also made beds with cedar decking. We fill our beds with organic compost from Silver Springs. The soil stays loose, so we don't need to dig. Every year we added a new bed. He made a seat out of wood that rests on the side of the 2 x 12 board, so I don't need to kneel on the ground or bend over. Works like a charm. We bring the seat in during the winter.