How to Build a Raised Garden Bed
Your deck is a place where you spend plenty of time enjoying time with family and friends, but what if you could also use it to grow food? Choosing how to build a raised garden bed is a fun way to enjoy gorgeous flowers or fresh fruits and vegetables without the commitment or space that a traditional garden plot takes up. How can you build a deck garden?
How to Build a Raised Garden Bed
- Most raised garden beds are 6 feet long by 2 feet wide to have plenty of space for growth without taking over too much of the deck. For a beautiful look and sturdy result, use 1 x 8 cedar boards for the sides of the deck garden 2 x 2 lumber for support and plywood to cover up the bottom.
- To build a deck garden, you should next cut the pieces of wood to size and attach the plywood to the bottom of the boards using wood glue. Next, build supports inside of the box to help support the weight of the boards and walls once dirt and plants are inside.
- Next, you should use deck screws to firmly attach the side planks of wood to the supports. Create the box using one layer at a time to ensure it is sturdy. When everything is done being attached, it should be just under 2 feet deep.
- Once you are done building the box, you can attach small strips of 2 x 2 to the bottom of the box and drill drainage holes in the bottom of the plywood to allow water to exit. Adding landscape fabric to the bottom when you build a deck garden can be a great idea, as this retains more water but ensures that the soil doesn’t retain too much.
- Once you have created your box (or purchased one from the home and garden store), fill it with fresh topsoil and compost. Next, you can plant seeds or starter plants directly into the beds and prepare for months of fresh herbs, vegetables and fruit!
Build a Deck Garden with Help from Excel Fencing and Decking
At Excel Fencing and Decking, we are proud to meet the needs of every customer, whether they are searching for new residential wood fencing or repairs to aluminum decking. We are a full-service fencing and decking company working throughout the greater Baltimore area and carrying top brands including Trex, Azek, Shoreline Vinyl Systems and Wolf PVC Decking. To learn more about our services, give us a call at (410) 803-9499.