by Janette Peel

Created on: July 16, 2009   Last Updated: March 05, 2012

From simple soil mounds to carefully crafted wooden frames, raised garden beds allow excellent gardening in improved soil.

Raised garden beds with well-prepared, enriched soil are perfect for growing many plants that may not do well in existing soil. They are particularly effective in areas with heavy or very sandy soil where water drains slowly, or too quickly, to be absorbed.

In addition, raised garden beds lend an attractive element to the landscape, especially when built from wood, stone or bricks. They help protect plants, and the rich, loose soil makes for easy planting and maintenance.

Plan and prepare your raised beds in autumn or winter when there is not a lot of garden activity, so the soil will be ready for spring planting. You can also set up raised beds in spring for late spring and summer plantings.

Raised garden beds are simple to construct. Begin by selecting a site and type of garden bed. If you plan to edge the bed, choose a material that fits with other elements in the landscape.

Design your raised beds according to what you plan to grow. Vegetables such as corn, tomatoes and beans will need ample space to grow. Place tall plants so they do not block the sun from lower growing plants.

Beds 1-1.2 meters wide work well for larger plants. Many herbs, flowers, groundcovers and small shrubs grow just fine in smaller spaces as little as 45cm wide.

Outline the shape of the bed before you construct the sides or begin mounding soil. To be sure soil will be loose and well-drained, loosen the soil in the center of the planting area and add lots of well broken down compost or other organic materials, such as rotted manure or fertilizer. Rake the entire bed smooth to prepare it for planting.

To build a wooden raised bed, you will need:

• 4 x 4m 150x25mm boards

• 4 x 3m 150x25mm boards

• 10 x 30cm 25x25mm lengths

• Power drill

• 24 8cm wood screws

• 6 12cm stakes

• Newspaper

• Compost, fertilizer and soil mixture

• 1 x 4m 150x25mm board

1. Lay two 4 meter boards on the ground, one above the other. Then nail three of the 25 x 25mm lengths even spaced to the 4 meter length boards. This makes one long side wall. Construct the other long side wall in the same fashion. Also build two short sides with two 3 meter boards using two 25 x 25cm lengths.

2. Choose and prepare a site suitable for what you want to plant. Smother the grass with at least 20 sheets of newspaper. Dig

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