After transplanting Garlic Chives in a new a raised bed around September, it was clear the garden was going to need additional beds.
I like to improve things during the cooler seasons prior to spring planting. This spreads out my workload, so the busier months are less hectic.
But if I am being honest, it just gives me an opportunity to spend more time outdoors.
Our temperatures from October to December are pretty great and on those chilly days you simply bundle up and get moving to warm up.
The goal right now is to fill these newly built raised beds the old-fashioned way because I want to increase the garden with six additional wooden raised beds over winter.
Building raised beds is relatively easy so let's take a peek at how I did this.
Building New Raised Beds
It's no secret that building and gardening are two of my favorite activities. Gardening began at grandma's house and building surfaced on our farm.
Now days, my projects are more purpose driven, just for growing food, flowers and herbs.
Pine wood is my first choice because it's always available. If you are local, all my natural yellow pine boards are coming from Trico Lumber Company.
I am sticking with eight ft. 2 x 6 boards with end pieces cut at 3ft. Some will be shorter but for the most part I have found 3ft. to be perfect.
This particular bed is a 3ft. x 8ft. and I have already begun to fill it with natural debris.
- To build cut your boards to the correct size.
- Connect the end boards using screws to the side walls.
- I did a double stack bed using two screws per each end.
- When connected, stack and begin filling.
- Always leave the interior boards natural.
- Exterior can be left natural or finished with stain, your choice!
This hand built raised beds will last three to five years depending on your climate. Closer to five if you stain the exterior.
New Raised Beds
This phase allowed me to build two new raised beds and then raise my brick connected beds two levels up. I like having a few taller beds for dimension and my back says, thank you!
These beds will be filled with natural material and soil the first part of December while everyone else is decorating for Christmas or busy holiday shopping.
When you stretch out your garden activity like building new raised beds, it makes your spring workload a lot lighter. This is something I mention in my garden book.
To learn more about gardening I am offering workshops from January - March or you can get my book, Garden Up Green on Amazon.
Encouraging Goodness,
Carole West
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