Raised garden beds are all the rage nowadays, and it’s no wonder why! They’re perfect for those of us with achy knees or backs because you don’t have to bend or kneel down to tend to your plants.
But that’s not all – raised garden beds also make growing fruits, herbs, and veggies a breeze. You can set up multiple beds with different soils to give each plant exactly what it needs to thrive. Plus, they’re way easier to maintain than traditional beds since weeds struggle to grow through the bottom.
Elevate your gardening game with a raised garden bed – bringing beauty and bounty closer to home. Raised garden bed from @ rootedinthyme
If you’re considering getting one of these fantastic planter boxes, it’s crucial to know how to fill them up for success. Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll give you all the essential tips you need for happy and healthy plants.
Step 1: Prepare your garden bed
Preparing the garden bed for planting sets the stage for a successful and bountiful harvest. Garden ideas from @ fathersondiygarage
To kickstart your garden bed project, you’ll want to find a sturdy base. Begin by scouting for level ground in your garden, or if space is tight, consider using your deck, footpath, or driveway. If you’re placing your raised bed on grass, it’s crucial to ensure that the grass beneath the base is dead and removed before you start adding aggregate and soil. This step sets the stage for a solid foundation that will support healthy plant growth.
Step 2: Add a drainage layer
Now it’s time to dive into “lasagna gardening” – the process of layering healthy, fertile soil and well-draining aggregate.
When setting up a new raised vegetable garden, throw in some cut tree trunks. It’s a natural way to fill up the lower space without spending extra on compost. Win-win! Garden tips from @ az.plant.lady
To start, fill the base of your raised garden bed (the drainage layer with organic materials you have around the house. For example, you can repurpose cardboard packaging from the raised garden bed kit you’re using. You might also consider using leaves, logs, and sticks, but make sure to check the specific growing requirements of the plants you plan to grow.
Leave about 300mm of space above this layer for soil and mulch.
As an optional step, you can add a weed mat or garden fabric over the top of the drainage layer. This helps water to filter through while preventing soil or potting mix particles from spilling out.
Step 3: Add a layer of ordinary garden soil
Save on costs by filling the lower layers of your raised bed with ordinary garden soil or “topsoil” instead of using a premium soil blend for the entire bed. Raised bed soil from @ themontydon
To avoid the expense of filling your raised bed entirely with premium soil blend, consider using ordinary garden soil or “topsoil” to fill in the bottom layers.
It’s important to buy fresh topsoil from your local hardware store or nursery rather than using the existing soil from your garden. Using garden soil can lead to long-term growth issues for your plants.
Please note that this step is optional but highly recommended if you’re looking to save money on soil.
Step 4: Add some premium potting mix
Next, it’s time to incorporate some premium potting mix into your raised garden bed. Look for high-quality soil options such as 100% natural soil, Certified Organic soil, premium boost soil with organics, or premium soil with controlled-release fertilizer.
These soil blends are specifically designed to retain moisture and provide essential nutrients for plant growth, ensuring that your plants thrive. Unlike ordinary garden soil, they won’t dry out quickly, maintaining optimal conditions for your plants.
Adding around 300mm of potting mix should provide ample depth for most fruits, herbs, and veggies to grow successfully, including root vegetables like carrots or parsnips.
Step 5: Water the soil to help it settle & add some mulch
Watering the soil and adding mulch are essential steps to support the growth and health of your plants in the raised garden bed. Raised beds from @ growingwithkaz
Once you’ve filled your raised garden bed with soil, give it a good watering to help settle everything in place. This ensures that the soil layers compact appropriately and creates a stable environment for your plants to grow.
After watering, add a layer of mulch on top of the soil. Mulch helps to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature, creating a healthy growing environment for your plants. You can use organic materials such as straw, shredded leaves, or bark mulch for this purpose.
By watering the soil and adding mulch, you’re taking important steps to promote the growth and vitality of your plants in the raised garden bed.
Step 6: Start planting!
You have plenty of options to choose from for your raised garden bed. Raised beds from @ agnesgarden.ig
With all the layers in place, it’s finally time to start planting! In your raised garden bed, you have a wide array of options to choose from. Consider planting tomato plants, potatoes, carrots, capsicums, lemongrass, basil, onions, pansies, petunias, and much more. The possibilities are nearly endless with a raised garden bed, so feel free to get creative and experiment with different plant varieties. Enjoy the process of bringing your garden to life and watching it flourish in its new home!
One great reason to have a raised garden bed is that it allows for better soil drainage and prevents soil compaction, promoting healthier plant growth. Garden from @ therooapron
Raised garden beds provide better control over soil quality, making it easier to amend and maintain optimal growing conditions for plants. Edible garden from @ bucks_country_gardens
