What To Keep In Mind When Building Raised Garden Beds

Many gardeners are switching to raised garden beds as a way to create a healthier and more productive outdoor space. Raising garden beds gives you complete control over the soil and environment and makes it easier to maintain your garden and keep pests away. But there's a lot that goes into building raised garden beds, and if done incorrectly can result in an unpleasant experience. So here are five things to get right when building raised garden beds.

Choose the Right Location

When deciding where to place your raised bed, choose an area that will get plenty of sun throughout the day—at least six hours—and is not prone to flooding during heavy rains or snows. You should also select a location that is close enough for easy access but far enough away from trees so that their roots won't interfere with the soil or drainage. Make sure you avoid areas with high winds since this can dry out the soil quickly and cause problems for delicate plants like tomatoes or cucumbers. Additionally, be aware of any underground utilities in your area before beginning construction on your bed.

Size Matters

Raised garden beds come in all different shapes and sizes, but what size should you choose? Generally speaking, the bigger, the better because larger beds provide more space for plants and require less maintenance due to fewer weeds being able to take root in them. However, if you don't have much room available, then opt for narrower 3-foot wide beds instead of 4-foot wide ones; they use less soil while still providing enough space for most types of vegetables and other plants.

Choose Your Materials Carefully

When it comes time to build your raised bed, you want to make sure you use materials that are up for the job, such as rot-resistant woods like cedar or redwood or even concrete blocks or bricks if you prefer something more permanent. Make sure whatever material you use is free from chemicals since these can leach into your soil and potentially harm plants down the line. Look for reliable suppliers like Elmers Hardware's online hardware store. Additionally, consider insulating materials like corrugated metal – these will help retain heat during cooler months while still allowing water through without absorbing too much moisture, which could lead to rotting wood over time.

Pick The Right Soil Mixture

The type of soil mixture you choose for your raised bed can have a big impact on how successful your plants grow over time – it needs to be light yet rich in nutrients so that it provides ample nourishment for young seedlings as well as mature plants alike. A good rule of thumb when preparing your mix is two parts organic matter (compost), one part native topsoil, plus one part sand (or perlite). This combination will help improve drainage while also providing plenty of nutrients for healthy plant growth long term.

Install Drainage Systems If Necessary

If you live in an area with high rainfall or snowfall, then installing some form of drainage system may be necessary, so that excess water doesn't flood out onto surrounding surfaces or drown plants within the bed itself. To prepare a basic drainage system, simply dig small trenches around the edge of each planting box - fill these with gravel, then cover them up with soil before planting anything else inside them - this will help keep excess channel water away safely without saturating any nearby vegetation or pathways outside of it!

With these tips in mind, building raised garden beds can be an enjoyable experience! Not only do they look great, but they're also highly efficient when it comes to maximising plant growth while minimising labour costs associated with maintaining traditional gardens year after year! Plus, since everything is contained within its own boundaries, there's no need to worry about pesky weeds taking over, either! Ultimately though, whatever design decisions you make, just ensure that whatever materials used are safe for both people and pets alike – happy gardening!