Crafting Your Own DIY Garden Bed

 

A DIY garden bed in short for "do-it-yourself garden bed" refers to a gardening structure built by individuals or gardeners themselves rather than purchased pre-made structure. It typically consists of a contained place  elevated above the ground level and filled with soil providing a designated space for cultivating plants. DIY garden beds can be constructed using various materials such as wood, bricks, concrete blocks, or recycled materials, and they offer numerous benefits such as improved soil quality, better drainage, reduced weeding  and accessibility for planting and maintenance. These beds are popular among gardeners seeking a customizable and cost-effective solution for growing vegetables, flowers, herbs, or other plants in their outdoor spaces.

Join me on this journey as we create a from-scratch vegetable garden as a family using our affordable DIY garden beds.

Raised bed gardening is a lower maintenance and athletically pleasing option for gardening. I have found through gardening both in-ground and in raised beds that I spend much less time weeding and maintaining when I plant in raised beds

So many of you have shown interest in watching as we build our DIY garden space. I love that you are on this journey with us. We are not experts, but have discovered a real passion for learning and nurturing our own little patch of earth. The kids were really tiny. We have always planted a garden in some shape.  Sometimes it's been in small pots. sometimes in the ground. sometimes in a single raised bed made from barnwood scraps.

The garden is the true shape and design  for me. More than ever I have found that the garden is a place I can deeply think through things. . I love the quiet, the sounds of the birds, frogs and crickets. I love the sound of the water. Most of all, though, I love watching my kids learn and grow in the garden.

Materials Needed:

• Wood planks or bricks (cedar, redwood, or treated lumber are commonly used for their durability)

• Screws or nails

• Power drill or hammer

• Soil mix 

Type of DIY Garden Beds:

There are several types of DIY garden beds that you can create to suit your gardening needs and space constraints. Here are some common options:

Raised Garden Beds:

These are elevated planting areas constructed with materials like wood, stone, or recycled plastic. They are filled with soil and provide good drainage, better soil structure, and warmer temperatures for plants. Raised beds are excellent for small spaces, as they can be built to any size and shape. Raised garden beds are essentially elevated planting areas enclosed by a frame. They can be built in various shapes, sizes, and materials to suit your preferences and gardening needs. Raised beds are filled with soil and offer several advantages over traditional in-ground planting, including better drainage, improved soil structure, warmer soil temperatures, and easier access for planting, weeding, and harvesting. They are particularly useful for areas with poor soil quality, limited space, or where bending down to ground level might be challenging.

Container Gardens:

 Container gardening involves planting in pots, barrels, buckets, or any other container. This is suitable for small spaces like balconies, patios, or window sills. You can use a variety of containers, including traditional pots, hanging baskets, or repurposed items like old tires or bathtubs.

Vertical Gardens: 

Vertical gardening maximises space by growing plants vertically, either against a wall, on a trellis, or in specialised vertical planters. This is ideal for small yards or urban environments where horizontal space is limited. Vertical gardens can include climbing vegetables, flowers, or herbs.

Keyhole Gardens: 

These are raised beds with a notch or "keyhole" shape in the centre  resembling a keyhole when viewed from above. They typically have a composting basket in the centre allowing for easy composting and efficient use of water and nutrients.

Square Foot Gardens:

Square foot gardening involves dividing a raised bed into square sections, typically 1 square foot each. Each square is planted with a different type of vegetable, herb, or flower, maximizing space and reducing waste. This method is efficient and suitable for beginners.

Lasagna Gardens:

 Also known as sheet composting or no-dig gardens, lasagna gardens are built by layering organic materials like cardboard, newspaper, compost, straw, and soil on top of existing grass or soil. Over time, the layers break down to create nutrient-rich soil for planting.

Hugelkultur Beds:

Hugelkultur is a method of raised bed gardening that involves burying logs, branches, and other organic materials under layers of soil. As the wood decomposes, it provides nutrients to the plants and improves soil moisture retention.

Wicking Beds:

Wicking beds have a water reservoir at the bottom that provides moisture to the plants through capillary action. These beds are ideal for arid climates or areas with water restrictions, as they require less frequent watering.