Photo by: kyla_kae
“Going organic” is no longer just a trend college-aged hipsters are into – it’s a lifestyle movement that has captured the stomachs of people all over the globe. Humans are recognizing the benefits of consuming organic food, and the negative health effects of GMO’s and pesticides.
If you and your family enjoy indulging in the au naturale then consider building your own raised garden bed. The raised bed eliminates the risk of plants becoming contaminated from the abundant amounts of lead, zinc and pests typically found in the soil of backyards. These gardens can purchased at your local Lowe’s or Home Depot, but incase you are into DIY projects, here are a few tips on how to build your own raised garden bed:
Things you will need:
- Two 4-foot-long 2x12s for bed ends*
- Two 8-foot-long 2×12 for bed sides*
- Four 16-inch-long 4×4 for corner posts*
- Twenty-four 3 ½ -inch deck screws
- Garden soil
- Compost
- Fertilizer
- Vegetable/Flower seeds
- Three 3×5 foot rolls of ¼-inch mesh hardware cloth (optional)
- A drill
- Shovel/Trowel
- Gloves
Steps:
-By using adjustable clamps, place the 4-foot 2×12 on its side and clamp the corner post at one end and drill three, evenly spaced holes into the post to keep it together. Repeat same steps with the other 4-foot board
– Place one 8-foot 2×12 between 4-foot ends. Clamp together, and drill each board end with three of the 3 ½ -inch nails. Repeat to attach the last 8-foot board.
– Pick a sunny spot to put your garden and dig four, 5- to 6-inch deep holes to anchor each corner post.
– Line the bottom of the bed with the hardware cloth to prevent any burrowing animals from ruining your garden.
– Fill the bed with an even mixture of compost and planting. Once it is filled, rake it smooth and gently spray it with a hose.
– Pick out your favorite veggies and plant those seeds. Make sure to keep your plants hydrated and even consider starting a compost pile to feed your plants the most nutrient-filled soil possible.
