7 Raised Bed Gardening Hacks You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner

Summary

In this video, the gardener shares seven essential raised bed hacks that can save time, money, and effort in the garden. From using compost instead of a traditional raised bed border to incorporating hugelkultur to reduce soil costs, these hacks cover practical techniques like protecting plants from pests with gopher wire, using plastic sheeting to line raised beds, and creating a grid for easy planting. The video also explores how to make low tunnels with PVC to shield plants from frost, pests, and excessive sun. These tips will enhance the gardening experience for both beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.

Takeaways

• 😀 You can create raised beds without a border by simply piling compost 6 inches deep in any shape, offering benefits like better drainage and weed suppression.
• 😀 Hugelkultur is a cost-effective method for filling raised beds by burying logs and organic matter, reducing the need for expensive soil.
• 😀 When using hugelkultur, make sure the top 12 inches of soil are compost or planting mix to avoid nitrogen competition with decaying logs and branches.
• 😀 Installing gopher wire beneath your raised beds can protect your plants from ground-dwelling pests like gophers, groundhogs, and moles.
• 😀 For wooden raised beds, use galvanized hardware cloth stapled on the bottom to keep gophers out—this technique has worked for years in the garden.
• 😀 If using old, potentially treated wood for raised beds, consider using plastic sheeting (safe types like polypropene or HDP) to protect your soil from chemicals.
• 😀 Make sure to punch drainage holes in plastic sheeting inside your raised beds to prevent waterlogged soil and ensure proper drainage.
• 😀 Instead of buying expensive planting grids, you can create your own grid system using sticks, chopsticks, or nails with string to divide your raised bed into manageable sections.
• 😀 Mark your raised bed's sides with measurements using a permanent marker to easily space your plants or seeds and track crop rotation.
• 😀 Building a low tunnel with PVC pipes and 3/4-inch pipe straps over your raised bed can protect plants from frost, pests, and excessive sun, enhancing growing conditions.

Q & A

What is one way to create a raised bed without using traditional raised bed borders?

You can create a raised bed by simply piling compost about 6 inches deep in any shape you prefer. This method provides the benefits of better drainage, weed suppression, and faster warming in the spring without the need for a border.

What is hugelkultur, and how does it help reduce costs in gardening?

Hugelkultur is a method where logs, sticks, and organic matter are buried beneath your planting mix. This reduces the need for purchasing large amounts of expensive soil and helps retain moisture and nutrients while providing a long-lasting growing medium.

What are the important tips to keep in mind when using hugelkultur in raised beds?

Make sure to pack the logs and sticks tightly together to minimize gaps, as air pockets can lead to soil settling. Additionally, ensure the top 12 inches of the bed are filled with compost or planting mix to prevent root competition with decomposing logs that might take nitrogen from the soil.

How can you protect your raised beds from pests like gophers, groundhogs, and moles?

To protect your plants from pests, you can install galvanized gopher wire (hardware cloth) at the bottom of your raised beds. This wire will prevent pests from digging into the beds while still allowing proper drainage.

Why might it be a good idea to use plastic sheeting inside raised beds?

Plastic sheeting can be used to protect soil from contaminants, prevent leaching from treated wood, or prolong the lifespan of the bed by protecting the wood from rotting. It's important to use plastic that is safe for gardening, such as polypropene or HDPE.

What material is best for lining the bottom of a raised bed to ensure drainage if plastic sheeting is used?

If you use plastic sheeting, ensure it has sufficient drainage holes (at least one per square foot) to allow water to escape and prevent waterlogging of the soil.

How can you create a square foot gardening grid without buying a fancy frame?

Instead of purchasing a frame, you can create a grid using chopsticks, sticks, or small nails. Simply place a stick at each square foot, and use string to create the grid lines. This method is inexpensive and effective for organizing your planting space.

What is a simple hack for measuring plant spacing in your raised bed?

You can use a permanent marker or pencil to make marks on the side of your raised bed, indicating 3-inch or 6-inch spacing intervals. This eliminates the need for a ruler when planting and makes it easier to follow crop rotation.

How can a low tunnel structure help protect plants?

A low tunnel, made from PVC pipes, can protect your plants from frost, pests, and excessive sun. You can cover the tunnel with plastic, fleece, or shade cloth, depending on the season and the protection needed for your plants.

What type of material is best for shading plants in the summer, and how can you attach it to your low tunnel?

Shade cloth is an ideal material for protecting plants from the harsh summer sun. You can easily attach it to your PVC low tunnel using PVC clamps, ensuring the cloth is pulled tight for effective shading.