Save money on soil with nutrient-rich fillers, smart drainage, and the ideal height to reduce back strain.
That said, creating andfilling raised garden bedscan be priceyespecially if you’re making several beds at once.
This guide will help you decide how to fill a raised garden bed without blowing your budget.
Credit:Hector Sanchez
Most vegetables requirefull sunto thrive, but some herbs, leafy greens, and ornamentals toleratepartial to full shade.
This can keep critters from nibbling on yourroot vegetableslater on.
How Deep Should Raised Beds Be?
The recommended depth of a raised bed depends on the types of plants you plan to grow.
To lessen the strain on your back and knees, build garden beds up to 24 inches deep.
While most plants only need 18 inches, the extra inches make gardening more comfortable.
How Much Soil Do Raised Beds Require?
Knowing how to fill a raised garden bed with the best method and materials is important.
Adding other organic materials to shallow beds usually isnt a good idea.
Small beds dont need much soil, so they are less expensive to fill.
These layers naturally break down intonutrient-rich compost,eliminating the need to compost.
Earthworms are a sign of healthy soilyou can even add more to speed up decomposition and improve aeration.
This shape makes it ideal for small spaces.
As these materials break down, theyll act ascompost for plant rootsand help raised beds retain water.
The decomposition process creates heat, making hugelkultur beds slightly warmer in spring and fallextending the growing season.
Hardwoods and softwoods that are beginning to decay are the best choices for hugelkultur because they break down quickly.
Adding water as you go also helps the materials compress.
You might need to add more soil occasionally as the organic material decays.
Is it safe to use pressure-treated lumber for raised garden beds?University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
