How to Make a Raised Vegetable Bed

Putting in a border

A raised bed in the yard can add lots of benefits.

Things You'll Need

• dirt
• border
• manure
• compost
• liner or newspaper
• plants

Instructions

1. Making a raised vegetable bed, herb bed, or even a flowerbed, can be enjoyable. Use places that are not being used for anything else, and those places that may be an eye sore, to add beauty to your yard and garden. Start by locating a spot that is being used for nothing else.

2. Clear off the spot, by clipping down any small trees, or cutting down larger ones. No need to worry too much about the grass or weeds, since you are going to cover that under with a layer of newspaper, and plastic (preferably black plastic). If no light can get under that plastic, then your won't have weeds or grass growing up through the vegetable beds.

3. 

   Fill in that bed with dirt, but only about a half of the way up. Then add compost, manure, and things that are good for your garden. Mix that in together lightly, no need to work hard at it, because nature will mix it for you. Now add sheets of newspaper, or flower bed lining on top of all that. Be sure its the kind that you can cut with a pair of scissors or poke holes in easily with your fingers, since you are going to add the plants after laying this liner down. Laying mulch on top of the liner at various spots will hold it down, until you get it secured, and have your plants in place.

4. 

   Keep adding the mulch on top, around your flowers, vegetables and herbs. Not only will it help to keep moisture in, but will make your beds look nice also. Flowers add a nice touch, such a marigolds, but they also aid in keeping the insects off your vegetables. Any size or shape raised bed may be prepared for your vegetables etc. I like the various sizes, since it adds a certain charm to my yard and garden.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't add a strong fertilizer directly on the plants or at the roots. Mix it in the dirt.

• Making raised vegetable beds can be addicting.