Raised garden beds are a fantastic way to beautify your outdoor space and grow your own vegetables, herbs, and flowers. They can improve soil conditions, reduce weed growth, and make gardening easier on your back. Here, we present nine innovative raised garden bed ideas that utilize easy-to-find or repurposed materials, many of which you might already have in your backyard or garden.
1. Wooden Pallet Beds
Materials: Wooden pallets, nails, landscaping fabric
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pallets: Choose pallets in good condition. Remove any loose nails.
- Assemble the Frame: Stack two pallets for height and secure them together with nails.
- Line with Landscaping Fabric: Line the interior with landscaping fabric to keep soil in and pests out.
- Fill and Plant: Fill the bed with soil and plant your seeds or seedlings.
2. Old Tire Planters
Materials: Old tires, non-toxic paint, sharp knife
Instructions:
- Prepare the Tires: Clean the tires and cut away the top rim to create a wider opening.
- Paint: Paint the tires with bright, non-toxic paint for a decorative touch.
- Fill with Soil: Place the tires where you want your beds, fill with soil, and plant.
3. Cinder Block Beds
Materials: Cinder blocks, landscaping fabric
Instructions:
- Design Your Bed: Lay out your cinder blocks to form the walls of your garden bed.
- Secure the Blocks: Although not necessary, you can use mortar to secure the blocks.
- Line and Fill: Line the interior with landscaping fabric, then fill with soil and plant.
4. Wine Crate Gardens
Materials: Wine crates, plastic liner, drill
Instructions:
- Drill Drainage Holes: Drill several holes in the bottom of each wine crate for drainage.
- Line the Crates: Line the crates with plastic to protect the wood, ensuring water can drain through the holes.
- Fill and Plant: Fill the crates with soil and plant your seeds or seedlings.
5. Galvanized Water Troughs
Materials: Galvanized troughs, drill
Instructions:
- Drill Drainage Holes: Drill holes in the bottom of the trough for drainage.
- Position Your Trough: Place the trough in your chosen location.
- Fill with Soil and Plant: Add soil and your choice of plants.
6. Log Bed Borders
Materials: Logs, saw, soil
Instructions:
- Cut the Logs: Cut logs to your desired length for the bed’s perimeter.
- Arrange the Logs: Lay the logs in your chosen shape and secure them by partially burying them in the ground.
- Fill with Soil: Fill the enclosed area with soil and plant.
7. Brick-Lined Beds
Materials: Bricks, shovel, soil
Instructions:
- Outline Your Bed: Use a shovel to outline where your bed will be.
- Lay the Bricks: Lay bricks along the outline, stacking them as needed for height.
- Fill with Soil: Once the perimeter is set, fill with soil and begin planting.
8. Reclaimed Wood Beds
Materials: Reclaimed wood, screws, drill
Instructions:
- Cut the Wood: Cut your reclaimed wood to the desired dimensions of your bed.
- Assemble the Frame: Screw the boards together to form a rectangular or square frame.
- Fill with Soil and Plant: Place the frame in your desired location, fill with soil, and plant.
9. Bookshelf Bed
Materials: Old bookshelf, paint, landscaping fabric
Instructions:
- Prepare the Bookshelf: Remove any shelves, lay the bookshelf down on its back, and paint it with weather-resistant paint.
- Line with Fabric: Line the back (now the bottom) with landscaping fabric.
- Fill and Plant: Fill with soil and plant directly into the bookshelf compartments.