Do it yourself projects are an amazing way to take your favorite hobby to the next level. Aside from always learning something new, you will also have fun carrying out your passion for the craft in a creative way. For those who are passionate about gardening, there are countless DIY projects that can be taken up. Just a few examples are: creating your own flower bed for your flower garden, growing your fruit and vegetable crops or DIY raised garden beds/ DIY garden boxes.

Today we will specifically focus on the information required for a raised garden beds DIY project, the steps for making your raised garden bed and everything else you need to know about how to make raised garden boxes.

Complete Guide on How to Make DIY Raised Garden Beds

The process of making DIY raised garden beds or boxes is cheap, accessible, and easier than most individuals think. After you make your DIY garden box planter, you can take care of your plants with ease, in optimum growing conditions. We guarantee that you will have fun throughout the process, and the results will bring you great personal satisfaction.

Without any further ado, let’s see what the benefits of raised garden beds are and how you can make your own DIY garden box in your backyard.

The Benefits of DIY Raised Garden Beds

Garden beds are an excellent alternative for those who don’t want to plant vegetables or flowers directly into the soil of their backyard. The reasons for doing so could be various; for example, the natural soil in your yard could create unsuitable conditions for growing plants.

On the other hand, you might not want the hassle of digging or maintaining a garden directly in the ground of your yard. In addition to this, a garden bed allows more sun exposure for your plants, so they get the light they need to grow properly. No matter your reason, a garden bed has numerous benefits that make it a fantastic DIY project for those who love gardening.

Supplies You Need for a DIY Garden Box

Garden boxes can be in all sorts of shapes and sizes. In most cases, a garden box will take a rectangular shape. The DIY garden bed we will be describing today is of standard size (3 feet by 5 feet), perfect for the beginner who wants to start developing his or her garden.

The project requires the following supplies to complete:

• 2 x 4s (lumber or, preferably, cedar)
• 4 x 4 post
• circular saw
• square
• tape measure
• soaker (hose)
• wheelbarrow
• level
• knife
• drill
• pencil
• gloves for gardening work
• soil (six inches tall when inside the bed)
• the vegetables or flowers you want to plant

Making Your DIY Raised Garden Bed: The Preparation Steps

Before you get started, make sure you get all of the supplies we mentioned in our list above. After that, you have to start planning for your DIY garden bed.

• Begin by choosing the space in your yard that you want your flower bed to go.
• Keep in mind that the final size of the built flower box will be 3 feet by 5 feet, so choose an area where you have this space, and you are willing to transform it into the garden bed’s new home.
• Make sure the designated area has access to sunlight and that you can get around all sides of the garden box.
• Outline the perimeter of your DIY garden bed so you know where to place it with the help of marking material (flour or spray paint, for example). Precise placement makes DIY raised garden beds to look neat and flawless.

Step by Step Raised Garden Beds DIY Project

Step 1: Begin by digging out the sod from within the area once you have everything prepared and your perimeter contoured. Deep digging is not required, just an inch or two in the ground so you can eliminate the grass from the area. Before you proceed, use a level to make sure that your work area is not inclined in any way.

Step 2: Take the landscape fabric you have purchased and roll it out over the area you have just freed of grass. We recommend that you roll enough fabric to cover and even exceed the area. After you place your garden box in, you can cut off the remaining fabric. This material will prevent weeds from growing and destroying your flowers or vegetables.

Step 3: Start your wood work. Cut the 2 x 4s and 4 x 4s to length and drilling two holes at the end of each piece. You have to continue by securing the 2 x 4s to the 4 x 4 posts; use the square to make sure that the pieces fall neatly in place and then proceed by drilling screws into the holes you previously made on both ends of each piece. After drilling, your box should now have a rectangular shape and have the 4 x 4 posts in every inner corner of the box. Please take note that you can make your garden bed any size; just adapt these steps to your desired length and width.

Step 4: Place the box over the landscape fabric in the area in your yard. Use your level to check that it is correctly placed. After that, cut the rest of the landscape fabric from the edges.

Step 5: Fill the garden box up with soil using a shovel and a wheelbarrow. Don’t forget that it should be six inches tall for the plants to have everything they need to grow. If you have the possibility, blend compost into your soil for optimum growing conditions.

Step 6: Take the flowers or vegetables you have chosen and plant them into the soil. To do so, you just have to pull back the soil in the area you want to plant them, add the plant and then add soil all around it.

Step 7: Take care of irrigation by putting the soaker hose throughout the garden box, along the plants, and cover it up with soil.

You can now enjoy your very own garden bed for the flowers and vegetables of your choice!

Image sources: 1, 2.