The Dilemma of the Difficult Dirt

As a self-proclaimed “not much of a garden girl,” I’ve faced my fair share of challenges when it comes to getting a thriving outdoor oasis. Whether it’s a small backyard packed with towering trees or rocky, unforgiving soil (hello, Texas Hill Country!), creating a successful garden can feel like an uphill battle. That’s why I’ve become a big fan of raised garden beds – they make it so much easier to find the space and control the soil quality for a beautiful and bountiful bounty.

In both 2020 and 2021, I tackled building my own DIY raised garden beds for our backyard. And while I may not have fully utilized their potential (my black thumb is well-documented), I’m still a firm believer in the power of these elevated planters. There’s just something so satisfying about creating a custom garden oasis, don’t you think?

So if you’re ready to ditch the difficult dirt and take your green thumb to new heights, let’s dive into how you can build your own stunning raised garden beds from scratch. I’ll walk you through my personal process, including the lessons I learned along the way, to help you create a thriving outdoor sanctuary.

Planning Your Raised Garden Bed

Before you start cutting boards and screwing in supports, it’s important to take the time to plan out your raised garden bed. After all, you want to make sure it’s the perfect fit for your backyard and your gardening needs.

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is the overall size and height of your planter. This will depend on the available space in your yard, as well as how much you plan to grow. A good rule of thumb is to keep the length and width within a 2:1 ratio – for example, a 6×3 foot bed or an 8×4 foot bed. As for the height, I personally prefer a taller planter that sits up off the ground, around 30-36 inches. This helps avoid any pesky weeds making their way in and makes it easier to tend to your plants.

You’ll also want to consider the material you want to use. Cedar is a popular choice, as it’s naturally rot-resistant and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals. But pressure-treated lumber is another option, just be mindful that it can potentially leach copper into your soil over time. Get creative and explore alternatives like concrete blocks, cinder blocks, or even repurposed pallets!

Once you’ve settled on the size and materials, it’s time to start planning the internal structure. I recommend adding a few key support elements, like sturdy legs, cross-bracing, and a slatted bottom to ensure your raised bed can stand up to the weight of the soil and your thriving garden. And don’t forget to factor in drainage – you’ll want to leave a bit of space between the bottom slats to allow excess water to escape.

Finally, think about any additional features you might want to incorporate, like a built-in shelf or a trellis system. These little extras can really take your raised garden bed to the next level and make it both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Constructing Your Raised Garden Bed

Alright, now that you’ve got the planning phase under your belt, it’s time to get your hands dirty and actually build that custom raised garden bed! I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process I used, along with some valuable lessons I learned along the way.

First up, let’s talk about the materials you’ll need. For my 33-inch tall, 2×4 framed raised bed, I used the following:

• 4 x 4×4 cedar posts for the legs
• 12 x 2x4x8 cedar boards for the side slats
• 4 x 2x4x8 cedar boards for the long support beams
• 5 x 1x4x8 cedar boards for the bottom slats
• Wood glue
• Pocket hole screws (if you have a Kreg Jig)
• Exterior wood screws
• Staple gun and landscape fabric or hardware cloth

As I mentioned in the video, I used my Kreg Jig to create hidden pocket holes for a super clean look. But if you don’t have one of those fancy tools, no worries! You can still achieve a great result by simply screwing or nailing the side slats directly onto the leg boards.

The key is to attach three slats, pushed tightly together, between each set of leg boards to create the side panels. Then, you’ll connect those side panels together using the long 2×4 support beams, drilling pocket holes or pre-drilling holes to avoid any splitting.

One important lesson I learned the hard way? Don’t go too deep with the side slats. I originally did four slats per side, but that ended up being overkill and made the planter way too heavy to manage. I’d recommend sticking to three slats per side – it provides ample depth while keeping the overall weight reasonable.

Next, you’ll want to add those all-important support beams along the bottom. These 2×4 boards will help distribute the weight of the soil and prevent any warping or sagging over time. Just make sure to leave a bit of space between the slats to allow for proper drainage.

Finally, you can get creative with some bonus features, like the handy little shelf I added. I used a couple more 2×4 boards to create a simple but functional storage space below the planter. And for an extra touch of style, I stained the cedar with an ebony finish and used an aged wood accelerator on the side slats.

Once you’ve got the basic frame assembled, it’s time to line the interior with some protective materials. I used a layer of chicken wire followed by landscape fabric to keep any pesky weeds and critters at bay. And don’t forget to add a trellis system if you plan on growing any vining plants or tall varieties like tomatoes!

Bringing Your Raised Bed to Life

Alright, the hard part is done – now comes the fun part! It’s time to fill up your brand new raised garden bed and start planting.

I found that it took around 8 bags of quality potting soil to fully fill my 33-inch tall planter. If you’ve opted for a shallower design, you may be able to get away with a bag or two less. And don’t forget to mix in some nutrient-rich compost to give your plants an extra boost!

Now for the best part – deciding what to grow. Raised beds are the perfect canvas for a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and even some compact fruit plants. Think juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuces, fragrant basil, and maybe even a few strawberry plants. The possibilities are endless!

Just remember to choose plants that are well-suited for the growing conditions in your area. Our team at Today’s Gardens is always happy to provide personalized recommendations based on your local climate and gardening goals.

One final tip – be sure to give your new raised bed a good watering before planting. This will help settle the soil and ensure your plants get off to a strong start. And don’t be afraid to experiment a bit! Raised beds make it easy to try out new varieties and find what works best for your unique backyard oasis.

Cultivating a Thriving Raised Bed Garden

Alright, you’ve built the perfect raised garden bed, filled it with lush soil, and selected your dream plants. Now comes the hard part – keeping that green thumb going strong all season long!

First and foremost, be diligent about watering. Raised beds can dry out more quickly than in-ground gardens, so make sure to check the soil moisture regularly and give your plants a good soak whenever the top inch or two starts to feel dry. And don’t forget to add a layer of mulch around your plants to help retain that precious moisture.

Feeding your plants is also crucial for a bountiful harvest. I like to mix in some slow-release organic fertilizer when I first plant, then supplement with a liquid feed every few weeks. Pay close attention to any nutrient deficiencies or pest issues, and address them quickly before they get out of hand.

Speaking of pests, those pesky critters can be a real challenge in raised beds. That’s why I always line the interior with chicken wire or hardware cloth – it helps keep out burrowing animals and makes it easier to contain any wayward weeds. And don’t be afraid to get creative with natural pest deterrents like marigolds or companion planting.

Finally, don’t forget to regularly prune, trim, and tidy up your raised garden bed. Removing any dead or dying foliage, staking taller plants, and keeping an eye out for any encroaching weeds will go a long way in maintaining a lush, productive oasis.

With a little time, effort, and TLC, your custom-built raised garden bed will become the envy of the neighborhood. Just remember to have fun with it and don’t be afraid to experiment. After all, the true joy of gardening comes from the journey, not just the destination.

So what are you waiting for? Grab those power tools, get your hands dirty, and start cultivating the backyard haven of your dreams. Happy gardening!