Create a user-friendly organic victory garden and save money at the grocery store. Raised bed vegetable gardens are great for small areas and are easy to maintain.
Why take the leap into vegetable gardening this year? Several things. First, with the tough economic times, it's important to cut corners on high food prices whenever possible while still keeping high nutritional standards.
Try to grow expensive food items that you enjoy to make the best use of the space. Why not plant asparagus crowns? An asparagus garden will produce faithfully for 15 years!
Secondly, organic vegetables are increasing in popularity. The jury is still out as to whether the nutritional value is any higher, but one thing is certain; pesticides won't do the body any good. This is an opportunity to ensure first hand that organic farming principles are embraced, one household at a time.
Even Michelle Obama, the first lady, is getting in on the action with her White House kitchen garden located on the South Lawn.
But Why Raised Bed Gardening?
First, it doesn't take up much space. Raised beds are generally narrow enough to be worked on both sides. They can be configured according to available space. Secondly, maintenance is minimal. Since the gardening area is effectively separated from the surrounding yard, weeds are less of a problem.
Finally, since by definition the garden bed is raised, it's easier for those with physical disabilities to take care of. The actual height is completely up to the urban or suburban farmer.
Garden Bed Container Materials
The bed must be built so as to hold the soil in. The range of materials that can be used is wide indeed. Cedar boards are a good choice since they hold up well to the elements. Cedar also is reputed to be an insect repellent.
Concrete blocks are popular. They're affordable, durable, and heavy enough so that they don't need to be secured down, making for an easy vegetable garden to construct. Downside? Concrete will raise the Ph of the soil over time and will need soil monitoring and adjustment periodically.
Pine boards may be used. They are inexpensive and non-toxic, but will have to be replaced every two to three growing seasons.
Any Internet search will find sites that suggest that landscape timbers may be used. The chemicals pressured into this type of lumber used to be highly toxic. Supposedly, the newer chemicals are non-toxic. But the bottom line is, why take a chance when there are so many other safer alternatives available?
Old tires? Yes, a quick Google will find a few of these advocates, but it's best to err on the side of caution and avoid them for the same reasons as pressure treated wood.
Designing the Raised Bed
This really depends on the real estate available. It will need to be placed in a spot where the vegetable plants get enough light for the crops being grown. Then the configuration of the garden should be considered.
One option is a straight run, long and narrow. Since it will be worked from both sides, anywhere from 20” to 3' wide is optimal.
Another option is a single or multiple square beds, which works well in an open area. This will allow the grower to walk between the individual beds while working them.
Construct the Raised Bed Garden
This is fairly straightforward. For wooden boxes, assemble them in place and stake the sides to strengthen against the pressure of the soil.
If using concrete blocks, simply place them in position.
Next line the bottom with 2 to 10 layers of newspaper. This will discourage any weeds from trying to germinate from below. Next fill within two inches of the top with garden soil. The soil and soil amendments used is dependent upon location, crop type, weather, and many other factors.
Finally, use a quality, organic mulch on top to hold moisture in the soil. Raised beds tend to dry out faster than in-ground gardens.
The copyright of the article Build a Raised Bed Vegetable Garden in Container Gardens is owned by Kelly Smith. Permission to republish Build a Raised Bed Vegetable Garden in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Great article. I do not have the time to maintain an
allotment, my garden is surrounded by flower beds, which my aging parents
do not want to disappear so I am trying to find a good solution. A raised
vegetable garden, or containers are viable options. What would you suggest
as good vegetables for either a raised bed or containers.
Lisa http://lisa-recommends.com
Jan 19, 2009 6:38 AM
Kelly Smith :
Hi Lisa, You can grow anything that would work otherwise in your climate.
You have the added benefit of being able to control the soil make-up and
drainage.
I'm going for corn, peas, tomatoes, and some herbs.
Randy Lemon made a good point on his radio show this weekend; he said to
focus on veggies that you really like but are expensive in the grocery
store.
Jan 28, 2009 4:41 PM
Guest
:
Kelly, The ideal area in my yard to build a raised vegetable garden
would be in an area that used to be covered in poison ivy. My husband and I
think we cleared it all out but I'm afraid it may come back and find it's
ugly way in my vegetable garden. Will the poison affect my vegetables in
anyway?
Trisha
Jan 30, 2009 9:36 AM
Kelly Smith :
Trisha, I suppose I'm fortunate not to have any experience with poison
ivy. But it's reasonable to assume that the substance that gets on the body
and creates so much misery would do the same thing to your insides if you
ingested it.
Also, any chemicals used to get rid of the ivy are
likely still in the soil. Your veggie plants would take them up along with
the good nutrients.
But you do have options with a raised bed.
In the photo above you can see that mine is directly on the soil. But you
can easily build an elevated one which means your bed and veggies have no
contact with the ground.
Why not build one or more containers
and support them with cinder blocks? You could ensure good drainage with
mesh or pea gravel. Interestingly, when I was doing my research for this
project, I learned that many people with bad backs use this method to make
the garden easy to work. Let us know how it comes out.
Feb 24, 2009 6:25 AM
Guest
:
Kelly, What is used for the bottom of a raised garden bed on posts? I
want to build mine about 3 ft. above ground, but can't seem to find what
type of material to use for the bottom. Any suggestions? Thanks. Rae
Feb 24, 2009 10:32 AM
Kelly Smith :
Hi Rae, this is the way I would engineer it. Of course, I would build the
structure as a rectangular box. Some wood slats or angle iron would span
the bottom, across the short side, with perhaps a post support in the
center for weight support if needed. Angle iron might be strong enough to
do away with extra supports.
The slats in turn would support a
layer of galvanized steel mesh. Then a one to 2 inch layer of gravel (large
enough not to go through the mesh) goes on the mesh.
Finally,
your soil goes on top of the gravel which prevents it from sifting out.
Sounds like a good Saturday project.
Feb 25, 2009 6:36 AM
Christine Eirschele :
For above ground containers I would recommend cedar wood, not pretreated
wood or old railroad ties as some gardeners use to build them with.
Drill well-spaced holes in the base, I would not leave openings
between the boards. In addition, drill holes on all sides approximately 2
inches up from the base. These can be set on cement pavers or placed on
frames Kelly Smith has described.
Check out ideas at public
gardens that have enabling gardens such as Chicago's Botanic Garden. Ideas
used in making roof top gardens apply principles of raised bed building,
too.
Vertical Gardening is another technique to grow plants off
the ground.
Mar 11, 2009 9:08 PM
Guest
:
Kelly, I want to start an asparagus bed, in a raised bed three
railroad ties high. Do I line the bottom of the bed with plastic before
putting the organic matter in? Second question: Should I put sand in the
bottom of the bed to insure well drained soil
Mar 13, 2009 5:05 AM
Kelly Smith :
Asparagus question: I wouldn't use railroad ties in any garden. In most
cases, they have been treated with a high level of creosote. It makes them
impervious to the weather, but it's also a very strong carcinogen which can
leach into the soil and be uptaken by the roots.
No plastic
liner is needed, it would interfere with drainage.
Asparagus is
a sand-loving plant so go for it!
Mar 26, 2009 4:11 PM
Guest
:
Hi Kelly! I just found an old twin size bed and thought about making a
salad box out of it. It seems to have maybe a varnish on it. Would it be
okay to just sand it down really good before I fill it with my mix? Thanks, Melissa
Mar 29, 2009 3:08 PM
Kelly Smith :
Hi Melissa, Not knowing what the finish is, I would err on the side of
caution and take it down to bare wood.
May 4, 2009 4:14 PM
Guest
:
Kelly: I wish i would have read your article 2 days ago. I just built 4
raised beds (10 feet by 4 feet) with AC2 treated wood for a vegetable
garden. I've already staked them and I was planning to fill them with
organic compost/soil, etc... next week. It didn't even occur to me to use
untreated wood. Given where I'm at, would it be better to line the wood
with plastic or is the AC2 treatment safe. Any thoughts?
Jan 8, 2009
