Are you looking for raised bed gardening tips? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
As you may or may not know, I personally do not have a green thumb. As much as I want to be good at growing plants, it’s definitely an area where I could improve.
But I know many families who want to start a garden so they can save money on groceries. Plus, gardening is a great way to get your kids outside and keep them busy.
So, to help you get started and get the most out of your raised garden, I’ve asked a friend of mine, who loves gardening, for her top raised bed gardening tips.
But first, why should you start a raised bed garden? What are the benefits of it compared to a ground-level garden?
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Why You Should Start A Raised Bed Garden
Raised bed gardening is one of the best, if not the best, options for families looking for an inexpensive and efficient way to garden without taking up too much space in the yard.
With just a few materials, knowledge of what plants will grow the best in a raised garden bed, and tips on maintenance and upkeep, you can have a thriving garden bed in no time.
Here are some of the top advantages of gardening in a raised bed.
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It’s Fully Possible To Garden In A Small Space
A raised bed garden is an excellent option for anyone with limited space in their yard or if you want to keep plenty of yard space for your kids to play.
Overall, raised bed gardens take up less square footage. The main reason is that you don’t need to leave as much space between the beds to be able to walk through or work in the garden. So, you can have one or even multiple raised bed gardens, which will take up less space than a ground-level garden.
Additionally, you can plant a lot of stuff in a raised bed garden, so having a smaller garden is okay.
You Will Have Easy Access To Your Plants
Maintaining and harvesting your garden is much easier in a raised garden bed.
For one, since the bed stands higher than an in-ground garden, you don’t need to worry about kneeling in the dirt.
Additionally, a raised bed garden makes it easier to access your crops, so you can harvest them as you eat them. My gardening friend likes to harvest the plants as needed before she cooks a meal.
It’s Ideal For The Beginner Gardener
Raised bed gardens are usually easier to maintain, especially when built or set up correctly. (I have more tips on this below.)
So, using a raised bed is fitting for your first garden. You won’t have to worry about your garden drowning or weeds taking over nearly as much as you do with a ground-level garden.
If you have bad knees or it’s hard to get down to the ground and back up again, this will also help you be able to garden more comfortably. Consider a rolling utility wagon that doubles as a bench to help you out.
Gardening Is A Great Activity For Kids
Starting a raised garden bed is a good idea if you’re trying to brainstorm ways to keep your kids busy, especially on those long summer days.
Not only does it teach your kids about plant growth, but it can also teach them about responsibility, what it means to take care of things, and keeps them busy. They can help with weeding, watering, etc. More on this later.
What You Need to Get Started with Raised Bed Gardening
Here is everything you will need to start your raised bed garden.
Raised Bed Frame or Edging
First, you will need a raised bed frame or edging to contain the soil and create space for your garden. Here are some different ways you can do that.
#1 – Build wooden garden boxes.
#2 – Set up a garden box that you can buy from the store.
#3 – Set up cinder blocks or concrete blocks to make a box.
#4 – Find new or used galvanized containers.
#5 – Stack up old milk crates.
#6 – Stack up old tires
Whichever option you choose, you must ensure the raised bed is deep enough to accommodate deep root systems for the healthy growth of your vegetables and fruits. Aim for a depth of at least 8 – 12 inches.
Soil
In a raised garden bed, you want your soil to be manageable. Soil that is too dense or too compact will not work. So, it would be best to avoid options like regular garden soil, native soil from your yard, or clay soil.
The best way to get healthy, nutrient-rich soil for your raised garden bed is to blend potting and gardening soil in equal parts.
You’ll also want to add some organic matter to your bed soil in the early spring.
Peat Moss (Optional)
Peat moss can be highly beneficial in a garden to help balance the pH level or neutralize the alkalinity of your soil. Furthermore, peat moss can help your soil retain moisture longer, which is valuable in a raised bed garden.
If you use peat moss in your garden, add a small amount on top of your bed soil.
Mulch or Wood Chips (Optional)
Mulch or wood chips in a raised garden bed can help keep the weeds in your garden at bay since seeds that blow in won’t be able to take root. Plus, mulch or wood chips can help retain moisture in the soil of your raised garden bed.
If you use mulch or wood chips in your garden, add a layer to the top of your bed soil to cover it completely.
Seeds/Starter Plants
And last but not least, you will need seeds and starter plants. Here are some of the best fruits and vegetables to grow in a raised garden bed.
- Tomatoes
- Squash
- Pumpkins
- Peppers
- Onions
- Chives
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Carrots
- Radishes
- Lettuce
- Peas
- Herbs
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Watermelon
The Best Raised Bed Gardening Tips
Tip #1 – Choose A Good Location
One of the most common mistakes first-time gardeners make is not putting their garden in the correct spot. I don’t want this to happen to you, so consider these things when choosing where to put your raised bed garden.
First and foremost, you should choose a spot with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, if not longer.
Secondly, you want to leave enough room between the raised garden beds if you have multiple so you can easily get around them.
Tip #2 – Start With Quality Soil and Organic Material
Many new gardeners make the mistake of skimping on the soil. But soil quality is essential to a successful raised bed garden and healthy harvest.
The better the soil quality, the better chance of success with your garden!
Refer to the materials section above to learn more about the best soil option for your raised garden bed.
Tip #3 – Keep The Soil Light And Loose
You won’t want your soil to be overly compact for your plants to survive and thrive, but it shouldn’t be dense, either. Instead, try to keep your soil light and loose.
To keep the soil light and loose, use a shovel or garden hoe to turn it over regularly.
In the early spring, mix in compost or fertilizer as well.
Doing these things will help to aerate the soil and allow more nutrients to reach the plants.
Tip #4 – Have A Variety Of Plants
For a productive garden, plant a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Doing it this way will give you more to choose from during harvest and increase the chances of a successful garden because cross-pollination helps increase plants’ fertility and can often result in a larger crop yield.
Additionally, different plants need different nutrients from the soil, which will give your garden a healthy balance.
So, feel free to mix it up with different vegetables and fruits.
Tip #5 – Water Your Garden Regularly
Since raised beds are above ground, the soil tends to dry out faster. So, to ensure your plants are getting enough water, it is essential to water them regularly.
The best time to water is in the morning, so the plants have all day to absorb the water and not lose it to evaporation. You can do this using a soaker hose or a watering can.
If you don’t have time to water your garden regularly, consider installing a drip irrigation system. You can watch this video for step-by-step instructions to learn how to set one of these up.
Raised Bed Gardening Tips To Keep The Weeds Out
Weeds can quickly overtake your garden if you are not careful. Thankfully, you can do a few things to prevent this from happening.
First, you could put a layer of newspaper or mulch on top of the soil between the plants to act as a barrier against weeds. This technique works well since it keeps the weeds out and helps keep moisture in.
Second, you could use an organic weedkiller that is safe for use around plants, which will help keep the weeds out without damaging your crops.
Finally, immediately remove any visible weeds and keep them from spreading their seeds.
Okay, moms, now that you know how to get the best results in your raised bed garden, let’s wrap this up by chatting about how to get your kids more involved.
As I said above, gardening is a great way to get your kids outside and learn more about plants and their growth.
Ideas for Getting Kids Involved With The Gardening
There are a lot of different ways you can get your kids involved.
First, let them choose some seeds and starter plants to plant in the garden. Doing this will empower your kids and encourage them to stay involved through the season.
But don’t let it stop there!
You can keep the momentum going by getting them to help transplant the starter seeds into the garden, watering the plants regularly, and pulling weeds.
You could also create a “garden journal” where they can draw pictures of their plants and track their growth over time. This activity is an excellent way for them to take ownership of the garden and watch it grow. These mini-sketch pads would be perfect!
Finally, you could add some fun elements like a scarecrow or other decorations to help engage them in the process.
Whatever you choose to do, getting kids involved in growing their own food will surely be an inspiring experience that will stay with them for years to come!
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Following these raised bed gardening tips will be sure to help you get the most success from your garden. With a bit of planning, preparation, and guidance, you’ll surely enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor.
Happy gardening!
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