Raised beds are very popular among gardeners and hobby gardeners when designing their gardens. They beautify the garden and are easy to maintain thanks to their pleasant working height. If you want to showcase your vegetables or flowers successfully and always enjoy a good harvest, then you can build a raised garden bed yourself. What are the advantages, what materials can be used and many helpful tips for building a raised bed can be found in the article.
Why build a raised bed yourself?
Garden beds play an important role in garden design because they createOrder in the gardenand can divide the different plants according to type. Compared to flat beds, a raised garden bed creates the optimal conditions for fruit, vegetables and herbs. The soil temperature in the raised bed is a few degrees higher than in the flat bed and therefore the plants have a longer growing time. However, this requires good construction and suitable filling.
Advantages at a glance
A raised bed can be used to replace several small flat beds because it can be used almost all year round. One of the biggest advantages of the raised bed is its comfortable height. Larger harvests are also achieved and the raised design offers good protection against vermin. You have freedom of design when it comes to the shape and material selection and can build your own raised bed individually.
Fora convenient gardening
Thanks to the greater height, the raised bed can even be planted and maintained while standing. This is perfect for both young and older people who want a garden but complain about back pain. As a rule, the height of the raised bed is between 30 centimeters and one meter, but you can adjust the exact height to your own needs if you build the bed yourself. This makes gardening easier to do without having to hunch your back.
For greater yields
Compared to a flat bed of the same size, the yields achieved with a raised bed are two to three times larger. This is mainly thanks to the filling with organic materials in several layers. In this way, a process of humus formation is initiated and the bed is well supplied for several years. In addition, in this case the harvest success does not depend on the quality of the soil in your own garden.
GartenRaised bedagainst vermin
If lettuce or herbs are planted in a flat bed, you have to constantly watch out for pests such as snails, because they quickly make their way to the crop. A raised bed, on the other hand, cannot be conquered so quickly by vermin and you can notice and collect them in good time.
Raised bed forbalconyand terrace
Do you live in the city and can only dream of having your own garden? With a special raised bed for the terrace or balcony, this dream can also be fulfilled in the big city and you can therefore enjoy gardening even in a smaller apartment.
Made from different materials
Whether for the garden, the terrace or the balcony, you can build a small or large raised bed yourself and ensure rich yields. You can choose from different materials for the frame construction. Wood, stone and metal are perfect for this and can be used to build raised beds of any shape. Building a raised bed yourself is time-consuming, but the result is worth it.
Out ofHolz
The choice of material for the construction of the raised bed depends on the garden style and your own preferences. Raised wooden beds are a popular option that fits different garden styles and looks beautiful outdoors. Larch, pine, Douglas fir and softwoods are perfect for this and you can build a raised bed of any length and height yourself.
Accents inGartenset with raised bed made of stone
A material that is resistant and creates beautiful visual effects in the garden is stone. If you would like to build a practical raised bed out of stone yourself, you can use different types of stone, such as natural stone, sandstone or even brick. Gabions are another popular idea for raised bed construction and combine beautifully with a flower bed.
Out ofMetal
Different designs are also possible for raised beds made of metal. A raised bed made of stainless steel can be built in different shapes and looks particularly elegant, but requires greater care because traces of rust appear due to contact corrosion.
Garden raised bedout ofalternative materials
With Corten steel, on the other hand, you can give the garden a nostalgic look and add rustic accents to the outdoor area. That's why the material with a rusted look is a popular option for raised beds in the garden. However, if you want to use natural materials, you can build a raised bed yourself out of coconut mats. However, since they rot over time, they need to be replaced every few years.
Find the right location
If you would like to build a raised bed yourself, you should first find a suitable location in the garden or on the balcony. To make working on the raised bed easier, you should consider a few important points regarding its location. If the raised bed is built for the balcony, we recommend designs on wheels that you can easily move as needed.
A sunny location for themRaised bedschoose
The sun is an important prerequisite for rich yields because the sun's rays promote the growth of most plants. That's why you should build the raised bed yourself in a sunny location and thus get the most out of the sun.
Wasis there anything else to consider?
An important point when building a raised bed in the garden is the subsoil. It should be level so that the soil can later be distributed evenly throughout the bed. It is also recommended to build the raised bed so that you can easily work on all sides. The raised bed also requires more water than the usual flat beds, so a nearby water connection would be advantageous to make irrigation easier.
Tips
If you have decided to build a raised bed for the garden yourself, then you should think about the design after selecting the location. First and foremost, the size of the raised bed is of central importance. It usually depends on what you want to plant in the bed. For example, some plants should not be planted too close together because they need more space to grow. It is better to make a raised bed longer rather than wider so that you can get to the plants from all angles.
Create a raised bed inSpringor autumn
The right season for planting the raised bed plays an equally important role. It would be advisable to create the raised bed in autumn or spring, because in these seasons a large amount of natural waste falls into the garden, which is very beneficial for the soil in the raised bed. You can also build the raised bed yourself in summer, but you should wait for the right time to fill it.
Build your own raised bed –undergroundprepare
When building your own raised bed, you should first select a location with a level surface and, in the first step, mark the desired size for the bed with ground anchors and wall cord. Next, in a lawn area, you should remove the turf about four inches deep with a spade. Now you can start building the frame structure.
Construction instructions
Raised beds made of different materials are also built differently. For a raised bed made of wood, for example, in addition to the wooden boards for the frame, you also need suitable posts and possibly drive-in ground sleeves. Regardless of the material for the frame construction, you still need a close-meshed wire mesh to protect against voles and a pond liner to cover the inside of the raised bed.
Video Guide –Raised bedBuild yourself with a wooden frame
WithCover and design as a greenhouse
With a suitable construction, the raised bed can be designed with a roof and serve as a small greenhouse. Simply stretch a sheet over the structure and the greenhouse is ready. This means the plants can survive the harsher weather conditions in winter.
Planting
Before you build the raised bed, you can think about suitable planting. In some cases the height of the bed depends on the sowing. For potatoes, for example, the raised bed should not be higher than 30 centimeters, whereas for smaller plants such as strawberries, a height of one meter is recommended for the raised bed.
Raised bed forFillprepare
In order to optimally supply the raised bed with nutrients, you should carefully fill it with organic materials in layers. First, however, the close-meshed grid should go into the raised bed and then the pond liner for the inner walls, which protects against moisture.
Layer forlayerfill the raised bed
The first layer ensures good ventilation in the raised bed so that the other filling material can rot better and faster. It consists of coarse components such as twigs, branches and wood chips. This is then followed by a layer of garden waste, such as grass clippings or leaves.
Good earthuse
Next comes a layer of humus-rich garden soil and then the mature compost. Under no circumstances should you use cheap soil for raised beds as it can clump together and damage the roots. As a final layer, a high-quality potting soil that is well suited for planting is recommended.
WithPlant flowers
Flowers grow quickly and beautifully in a raised bed if they get enough sunlight and water. That's why you can design the garden with several small raised beds with flowers and create a colorful oasis. The raised beds create order in the outdoor area and indicate a well-kept garden.
What else can you do?imPlant raised beds
Once you have finished building the raised bed yourself, you can now plant it with vegetables, shrubs or flowers of your choice. Although raised beds look really beautiful with flowers, they are more commonly used to grow a vegetable garden. Small varieties of tomatoes and runner beans work well in raised beds. You can sow in the bed or plant young plants directly in the soil.
