When is the best time to make new garden beds?
Did you know that fall time is the best time to create a new garden bed? Whether they are wooden raised beds, or built up soil beds, fall time is the best time for making these. You may wonder, why fall time? There are multiple reasons that fall is the best time to create new garden beds. At the end of summer, you may be busy with your harvest and or just looking at getting into gardening. You may be like me, and wondering how to make your garden better for next year. Also, you may be considering what kinds of plants you are wanting to grow next year. All this brainstorming is for preparation for next year, as you garden bed prep should be as well.
Why is fall the best time to make garden beds?
As the leaves start turning color, and the nights become cooler, the days are still very pleasant. What is there not to like about fall time? This is the perfect time to get out in your garden and get to work! Building and prepping your beds in fall will give your soil a rest for winter, or time for your organic matter (i.e. cow/horse/chicken manure or other organic compost) to age so that the risk of burning your plants come planting time is zero to none. Here in zone 6a, our frost date is quickly approaching in early October. With our last spring frost in early May, most of my garden soil is covered in a blanket of snow or hard as a rock through winter.
You may or may not have heard of vegetable crops that are cold hardy or warm tender annuals. Cold hardy crops are those plants that thrive in the cooler temps and tend to bolt (go to seed) quickly in the heat of spring/summer. So with cold hardy crops, it is recommended that we plant them early, and even transplant them into our garden well before most people think it is warm enough to be out in the garden. Also, cultivating our garden beds in early spring just isn’t the greatest idea, not for us or for the soil.
Biggest reason why not to wait until spring time:
By preparing our beds in the fall, it alleviates the need to go out in early March, braving the brutal weather to try to prep our cold, possibly wet garden beds to plant our cold hardy crops. So enjoy the warm weather in the fall, build your raised garden beds, prepare the soil, and settle in for the winter! Use your time during winter to purchase seeds, plan your garden and dream big.
So you are ready to build some beds!
Look no further! Are you eager to start your own garden but not quite sure how to create the perfect raised garden bed? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to construct your own garden bed from scratch. Plus, we’ve included a downloadable document that will help you create a cut and buy list for materials, making the process even easier.
Materials You’ll Need for a Raised Garden Bed:
Before we dive into the construction process, let’s gather the materials you’ll need for this DIY garden bed project:
- Wooden Boards: Opt for untreated, rot-resistant lumber. Cedar or redwood boards are excellent choices.
- Screws or Nails: You’ll need these to secure the boards together. We used #9 x 2-1/2″ construction screws.
- Measuring Tape: Essential for accurate measurements.
- Circular Saw or Hand Saw: To cut the boards to the desired lengths.
- Drill and Drill Bits: For creating pilot holes and securing screws or nails.
- Level: Ensures your garden bed is perfectly horizontal.
- Gloves and Safety Gear: Protect your hands and eyes while working.
Follow the Steps Below to Create a Raised Garden Bed:
Step 1: Choose Your Location. Select a suitable spot in your yard or garden for the garden bed. Ensure it receives adequate sunlight and is easily accessible for watering and maintenance.
Step 2: Measure and Plan. Use your measuring tape to determine the size of the garden bed you want. Common dimensions are 4 feet by 8 feet, but you can adjust to your preference. Sketch out your design and calculate the number of boards needed.
Step 3: Download the Cut and Buy List. To simplify the process of getting the right materials, download our “How to Create a Cut and Buy Material List” document. This document will help you determine the exact quantity and dimensions of boards required for your garden bed.
Click here to view the “HOW TO CREATE A CUT AND BUY MATERIAL LIST”
Step 4: Gather Your Materials. Based on the information in your cut and buy list, purchase the necessary lumber and other materials from your local hardware store.
Step 5: Cutting the Boards. Using a circular saw or miter saw, carefully cut the boards according to the measurements in your cut and buy list. Double-check your measurements to ensure accuracy.
Step 6: Assembling the Garden Bed. Lay out the cut boards on a solid workstation location. Assemble the boards to create a rectangular frame. Use screws or nails to secure the corners and edges. Make sure the bed is level and adjust as needed.
Step 6a: Lay out the boards, inspecting what sides you want to be on the exterior vs interior.
Step 6b. Pre-drill all holes with a drill to avoid boards cracking when screwing them together
Step 6c. Assemble all side panels individually.
Step 6d: Assemble corners and all sides together.
Step 7: Adding Soil. I recommend lining the bottom of your bed with cardboard (make sure all tape and plastic is removed first). By laying cardboard, it will smother any weeds from popping up and will decompose as carbon into your soil. Next, fill your newly constructed garden bed with a high-quality, well-draining garden soil mix. Leave a few inches at the top to accommodate mulch or additional soil.
Step 8: Planting Your Garden. Now comes the fun part! Plant your favorite vegetables, herbs, or flowers in your garden bed. Follow planting guidelines for each type of plant to ensure a successful garden. You can plant cold hardy annuals in the fall time, depending on your USDA hardiness zone. If you’re unsure what your zone is, find it here. Come early spring, you can plant more cold hardy annuals and before you know it, it will be spring time and time to plant warm tender annuals!
Step 9: Maintenance. Regularly water, weed, and care for your garden bed to promote healthy plant growth. Enjoy the fruits of your labor as your garden thrives!
Enjoy your raised garden bed!
With this simple DIY garden bed construction guide and the downloadable cut and buy list document, you’re well on your way to creating a beautiful and productive garden. Get your hands dirty, watch your plants flourish, and savor the joy of homegrown produce and blooms. Happy gardening!
See attachment: “HOW TO CREATE A CUT AND BUY MATERIAL LIST”
Stay tuned for more homesteading tips and DIY projects right here at Worker Bee Homestead!