Size of each bed is 4’x12’. All that’s missing is the 50/50 loam compost mix for the one. Other needs a tilling and the extension as well.
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Why so much height?
Multiple reasons, ergonomics for one, and for more viable soil. For tomatoes and stuff you want a good 18” deep bed of soil.
Lot easier to go up than to dig down, more roots more fruits, and the tighter I can pack the raised bed, keeps weeds down and retains more moisture as well.
This end looks tall, the back right end used to be only an inch or so out of the ground, so barely 8” of good soil before the clay. Yes it looks overkill on this end.
That makes sense. Even if it’s just ergonomics. It just looked like there was already plenty of dirt. I’m in the planning stages of a new garden because we moved after the cold set in. I’ll be doing raised beds in part for convenience and because our soil composition is pretty rough.
View from a better angle while building them originally.
Yeah it’s rough here, that picture has about 6” of unscreened loam under it before it’s pure clay basically. And I didnt put very good soil in it at that point. Making up for it now.
I think if you just turn 8” or so of whatever is there, so a spade depth and mix it with some good compost you’ll be at a great start, and if you go up 12” you’ll be at a decent 18” if you stay down from the top. Turning that 8” is already going to increase the volume by up to 30% so keep in mind when doing any calculations. Fill whatever is remaining with a 50/50 compost loam mix.
Looks great! Is there any particular reason you chose those sizes? I’m going to be building some of my own soon but can’t decide how wide to make them.
Arm length, 4’ is just barely reachable to get the center. You want to avoid putting weight anywhere on the soil while tending so you don’t compact the soil. That removes one benefit of using raised beds.
Layout a tape on the ground, see where you can reach and touch. If it’s raised off the ground you get a little bit extra reach so you can try and emulate that to find a comfortable size.
I would do like 36-42” if I made new ones, but I just went with some premade 4’x2’s since they worked with my other area.
What are you planning on growing?
I’ve got a laundry list and gonna miss some.
Carrots, cucumbers, pumpkins, watermelons, cantaloupes, multiple lettuces, multiple tomatoes, multiple peppers. Carrots, radishes, trying parsnips, peas, maybe beans.
Brocolli and gourds don’t do well.
I also have 6 metal raised beds on their way, they are 4’x2’.
Edit also have sunflowers, turnips, rutabagas. Still need to see what HD has for established plants that pique my interest as well.