15 Inexpensive Raised Garden Bed Ideas Easy Enough to DIY
- Grab a Steel Bin. Perhaps the easiest way to create a raised garden is to use a steel bin. ...
- Make a Basic Frame. ...
- Repurpose Discarded Materials. ...
- Add Some Hinges. ...
- Use Local Lumber. ...
- Opt for a Planter. ...
- Use Stumps Instead of New Lumber. ...
- Make it Micro. ...
- Create Your Own Shapes. ...
- Repurpose Large Planters. ...
How to build easy and inexpensive DIY raised garden beds?
- First, you can make the beds as long as your desire, however you want the width to be manageable. ...
- In addition, you want your bed to be at least 12 inches deep. ...
- If you are working in an area with grass, you should put down a barrier to prevent the grass and weeds from growing up in your bed. ...
How much does it cost to build raised garden beds?
The average price to Build a Raised Garden Bed noted above is cost data to compare a contractor’s estimate with doing it yourself. How much is a raised garden? A raised garden bed that sits above the ground makes gardening easy. You can build one yourself for $195 or pay $320 to have one built.
How to create DIY raised garden beds with scrap wood?
You’ll Need:
- Rip the Wood. To start building our raised bed boxes we had to rip the wood we had on hand in half. ...
- Make the Frames. Once the wood has been ripped, it’s time to cut the pieces into appropriate sizes. ...
- Connect the Dots. ...
- Create the Sides. ...
- Design the Layout. ...
- Get Ready to Garden. ...
How do you make an elevated garden bed?
Tips for making the perfect raised garden bed
- Location matters. A raised garden bed must be placed in a strategic location. ...
- Use durable materials. ...
- Keep the size manageable. ...
- Consider the height/depth. ...
- Fill with nutrient-rich soil. ...
- Start with herbs. ...
- Water roots, not leaves. ...
What is the cheapest way to make raised beds?
Perhaps the easiest way to create a raised garden is to use a steel bin. These are normally used as stock tubs, but blogger Liz Marie Galvan used them to create a polished, rustic look in her backyard. Plus, they're easy to weed and care for since all of the plants are well-contained.
What is the cheapest material to use for raised garden beds?
Cinder blocks and concrete blocks are very inexpensive (typically $2 to $3 a piece at home improvement centers), and they make it really easy to build the outline of a raised garden bed.
Is it cheaper to build your own raised garden bed?
A raised garden bed is like a small retaining wall, as it retains the mound of soil and plants behind its sidewalls. On average, building materials cost $18.39 per square foot....Building from scratch.MATERIALAVERAGE COST *per square foot (Materials Only)Poured Concrete$22.80Natural Stone$41.317 more rows•Jun 7, 2022
How do I make a cheap plant bed?
Cinder Block DIY Raised Garden Bed This is such an inexpensive and easy way to build a raised garden bed. The cinder blocks provide a sleek look and the concrete top caps give it a polished finish. Lay your blocks where you want them, fill with soil and plant your little garden any way you wish.
What do you put in the bottom of a raised garden bed?
You can fill the bottom of a raised garden bed with a number of organic materials, including straw, grass clippings, wood chips, and leaves. Place cardboard – or any suitable weed barrier material – over this organic layer, weighing it down with a few bricks or pegs.
What can I use instead of a raised bed garden?
You can repurpose recycling bins, tires (with some special considerations) or even large fabric or plastic bags to use as containers if you are not able to find or access a raised bed for gardening.
How deep should a raised garden bed be?
12 inchesThey should have at least 8 inches of soil depth to accommodate the root systems of plants, because the majority of plant roots require 6 – 8 inches of soil for healthy root growth. A depth of 8 – 12 inches will suffice for most gardening situations.
What is the cheapest wood for raised garden beds?
Pine. The least expensive and most readily available wood for a raised garden bed is pine. It's ideal for short-term gardens at rental properties or temporary gardens that last for about 3 to 4 years. The short life of pine is because it has a low level of tannins, so it isn't protected from rot, decay, and pests.
What is the best wood for raised garden beds?
cedarIn most cases, cedar is the best wood to use for garden beds because cedar is naturally rot resistant. Western red cedar is commonly used, but white cedar, yellow cedar and juniper are also high-quality choices for outdoor construction projects.
Can you make raised beds from pallets?
This no-cut DIY raised bed pallet is super simple and a great choice for beginner DIYers. Start with four pallets and arrange them on their sides to make a box with the three large pieces of wood on the bottom of the pallet facing outwards. Next, nail the pallets together at the corners to secure them in place.
Can I use treated lumber for a raised garden bed?
Modern Pressure-Treated Lumber According to the American Wood Protection Association and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, lumber treated with ACQ is safe for garden use. Its durability and nontoxicity make it among the best woods for raised garden beds.
Are cinder blocks good for raised garden beds?
There are a lot of options when it comes to the material used to build a raised bed border. Wood is a common choice. Bricks and stones are good options, too. But if you want something cheap and attractive that's not going to go anywhere, you can't do better than cinder blocks.
What is the cheapest wood for raised garden beds?
Pine. The least expensive and most readily available wood for a raised garden bed is pine. It's ideal for short-term gardens at rental properties or temporary gardens that last for about 3 to 4 years. The short life of pine is because it has a low level of tannins, so it isn't protected from rot, decay, and pests.
What is the best material to make a raised garden bed?
Cedar or Redwood Cedar and redwood are the two best choices of wood to build raised garden beds with. They're both very durable, beautiful, and naturally resistant to moisture, rot, and even termites. The cost of each can vary significantly depending on where you live.
Is it OK to use treated lumber for raised garden beds?
Modern Pressure-Treated Lumber According to the American Wood Protection Association and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, lumber treated with ACQ is safe for garden use. Its durability and nontoxicity make it among the best woods for raised garden beds.
How deep does a raised bed need to be?
A raised bed does not always require a significant depth for it to be effective. They should have at least 8 inches of soil depth to accommodate the root systems of plants, because the majority of plant roots require 6 – 8 inches of soil for healthy root growth.
What materials can I use to build my raised garden bed?
After all, all we are really building is a retainer for your garden bed. Many vegetable gardeners who use more traditional methods build up their soil into humps or mounds to assist drainage. A raised garden bed takes this further by creating a retaining wall around the garden soil to prevent loss.
What is compost used for?
Compost is very rich in nutrients and can be used in gardens, landscaping, horticulture, and agriculture. Using compost adds vital humus to the soil of your garden bed, providing the nutrients that your vegetables need to grow and also acting as a natural pesticide.
Can soil be used as a base for improvement?
The soil that you find in your local area may be quite suitable to use as a base for improvement but very few of us are fortunate enough to live in a place where it is suitable for the sustained growth of nutrient hungry vegetables.
Can raised garden beds drain water?
Drainage is less of an issue with raised garden beds but still requires some consideration . Making the beds higher is an easy solution but you will find that if your native soil is heavy clay or of a similar poorly draining composition that you might experience surface water runoff during periods of heavy rain.
Can you use natural stone for a garden bed?
You might also consider using natural stone or rocks to construct your garden bed frame but cement tends to be necessary to plug the wide gaps that are caused by the irregular shapes that natural stone or rock comes in. As the saying goes, there are no straight lines in nature and finding a combination of rocks that fit together perfectly is nearly impossible.
Can you use concrete blocks for raised garden beds?
Although wood may be a more traditional choice for building a raised garden bed I have also seen concrete blocks used with good effect. When placed in a single row concrete block need not be cemented and will provide a good strong retaining wall. If I was ever required to build a raised garden bed that was waist high, which can be very suitable for elderly or infirm gardeners, I would prefer cemented concrete blocks over wood as I feel that this would provide a stronger and longer lasting frame.
Is composting at home or school?
Composting at home , school and work have become quite the trend as our world moves to a greener and more environmentally friendly outlook. In many places, the available land for waste disposal is slowly being filled up.
How to keep soil from filling a raised bed?
To keep from using all your good soil to fill the box, use compostable items like twigs and cardboard to fill up the bulk of your raised bed.
How to keep critters from eating my veggies?
If you created a barrier to keep some critters from eating your valuable veggies, consider adding a hinge to them so you can swing them down while you tend to the garden. It'll keep you from having to reach over them each time, plus it'll make getting down into the soil much easier if they aren't there.
Do tall planters need to be ornamental?
Tall planters don't have to be for ornamental plants only. Some plants like tomatoes benefit from a deep root system, so putting them in a large planter gives them space to grow big and strong—plus it's so much easier to pick a ripe tomato when you aren't on your hands and knees.
Can you make a raised garden box out of wood?
Sometimes a patio or balcony is the only space you have, but those make the perfect space for raised gardens. This tiny box could be made from wood scraps, and you could either drill in some makeshift legs made from tiny offcuts, or you can attach furniture legs for some extra flair.
Can you dig a garden?
Not only can you do it yourself, but it's a fun project that's totally customizable to your needs.
Can you make a raised garden out of an old bathtub?
Chances are your local restore store or maybe even a junk yard has an old bathtub. These are nearly indestructible, so they make for a great raised garden. You can fill the base with gravel for some drainage, then sticks and cardboard, and top it off with some rich soil for your plants.
Can you stack tree trunks horizontally?
Or, if you have the manpower (i.e. a bunch of friends to help!), you could even use full tree trunks turned horizontally as your barrier.
How much soil should I use for a garden bed?
12 bags of soil to fill your beds with about 8 inches high of soil – I do a mix of these topsoil bags which are much cheaper and then a few bags of garden soil . Can use more bags if you wish to fill your beds more.
How do I cut cedar fence pickets?
But cedar fence pickets do come with a dog ear angled top so first step is to take all 6 of your pickets and cut off that dog ear part . 4 of the 6 pickets you will then use as is, the other 2 pickets you will want to cut in half . Roughly 35 inches but I would measure your boards and then just cut directly in half.
Can you fill a bed with straw?
At this point if you have some hay or straw or compost you would fill part of your bed with that. If not just fill with soil. Depending on how many beds you are doing it may be cheaper to find someone that could deliver a truck load of dirt but if you are only doing a few beds buying bags will be easier.
What is the difference between garden soil and raised bed soil?
Another difference is that garden soil can contain higher amounts of salt than raised bed soil. Salt is highly corrosive; it even damages sidewalks and driveways if left in place! Most plants cannot grow in soil that contains too much salt.
How deep should a garden bed be?
If you use this method, the bed needs to be filled 10-12 inches deep, filling all of the gaps with rotting materials and soil.
Is Topsoil OK for Raised Beds?
Topsoil belongs as part of the soil mixture used in raised beds, but you cannot only use topsoil to fill your new garden bed. Topsoil is a filler; it bulks up the amount of soil you have in your garden bed. However, plants need plenty of nutrients, and topsoil doesn’t contain enough organic matter for your plants to grow as needed.
Can You Fill a Raised Bed with Just Compost?
No, you should never fill a raised bed with only compost. It should account for 30-50% of your garden soil when creating a soil blend for your raised beds. While compost will give your plants plenty of nutrients, the soil will drain away too quickly, washing away the nutrients, causing your plants to starve.
Why do you need to use soil for raised beds?
You want to use suitable soil for your beds to provide your plants with the right amount of nutrients and water drainage to avoid standing water. Let’s take a look at some of the differences between garden soil and raised bed soil.
How long does it take to compost a raised garden?
If you want to use compost to fill raised beds cheaply, you need to get started on your compost pile the year before building the beds. Compost takes six to 12 months to develop, so you have to plan. You’ll add all kinds of ingredients like grass clippings, kitchen scraps, newspaper, shredded leaves, and more.
What is core gardening?
Core gardening creates a “sponge” in the center of your garden to hold water, wicking it two feet in both directions.
