How To Build A Raised Garden Bed In Your Seattle Backyard
Gardening is a hobby more and more people are discovering. The rewards of growing your own food are what drives people to have a garden! Sometimes, gardening isn’t ideal in the soil in your backyard, or maybe you are not fond of kneeling on the ground to tend the garden. Even if your soil is less than ideal or you would prefer not to get on the ground, you can grow vegetables in a raised garden bed. You will find all the tools you need to build your own raised garden bed in your backyard.
It is a fairly simple task to make the raised garden bed that is right for you and your needs.
Materials Needed
- Four 2x6s in the length you choose, a good starting point is 4 or 6 feet, this gives you a nice size bed in which to plant
- 4” screws
- Drill
- Potting soil
- Newspaper or cardboard (optional)
Choose Your Location
You will want to choose a place in your yard that allows for plenty of sunlight. You can lay down some cardboard or old newspaper in the area where you will be putting your raised garden. This does two things; it blocks weeds from sprouting and growing into your garden, and the cardboard/paper will break down creating compost for your soil.
Build the Box
Place the four pieces of wood in the location they will be going, making a square. Use the drill to screw the wood together at the ends to create the box. You will want two screws on each end to secure the bed.
Fill the Box
Fill your garden box with potting soil and compost. Plant your seeds or plant starts and watch your garden bloom!
If you want your raised bed to be a bit higher, you can use 2x8s. Another variation would be to use 3 or more 2x4s for each side. You will need an inner post made with 4x4s in the desired height of the box. This requires a great deal of soil to fill the box, so do keep that in mind.
You can stain the wood or buy pre-treated lumber to help protect the wood from the wet northwest climate.
Making raised garden beds is a satisfying project that will fill you with pride at the end of the day. Head into Greenwood Hardware and pick up the tools, soil and plants you will need to get your garden off to a great start. Come on in, or contact us today.