How to Prepare a Raised Garden
A raised garden, or garden bed, can be formed from soil, taking the form of a linear mound of loose, amended soil. The advantage of a raised garden is the increase of soil depth, with the topsoil being looser and therefore arable. If you have heavy, claylike soil with poor drainage a raised garden allows you to create a layer of topsoil more amenable to raising plants. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Determine the location of your raised garden beds. Each raised garden bed should be 40 to 45 inches wide, with 16 to 20 inch wide paths between beds. The beds can be any length you desire, but allow for open space at each end.
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2
Mark the beds with stakes and string. Set up wood stakes at two- to three-foot intervals along each side of each bed. Run string along the stakes.
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3
Use a roto-tiller to loosen the topsoil of each of the beds. Even though you'll be adding nutrient rich soil and compost to the beds, you still need the soil underneath to be loosened.
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4
Rake soil from the paths into the beds. This will help build the foundations for the beds. Do not pack down the soil.
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5
Add quality topsoil to each bed and work it into the existing soil within your staked areas. Add compost or bagged soil amendments to the topsoil and work that in as well. Continue to build up the beds in this fashion until the beds are approximately eight to ten inches in height.
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6
Smooth the beds, using a rake to even out the sides and top of each bed. Use the back of the rake to level and smooth the top of each bed.
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Create a lip of soil along the edges of each bed. With the back of your rake, push a small portion of the soil to each side of the bed, working down the length of the bed. This creates a lip of soil approximately two to three inches high. Level the interior of the bed tops again with the back of your rake.
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8
Define the beds with stacked stones, railway ties or garden edging. Though this isn't necessary, it does greatly reduce the natural erosion of the sides of the beds. Remove the stakes and strings.
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9
Install a drip or irrigation system, if desired.
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10
Lay down gravel, straw or pavers in your pathways. This will help reduce weeds and better define your garden areas.
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