Whatever your reason for planting a raised vegetable garden is this year! Congratulations, there are so many benefits to consider: -
Lowers the cost of your food budget. -
Knowing your family is provided with FRESH vegetables free of chemicals. -
Reduces the environmental impact of transporting and warehousing food. -
Provides education for the kids and memories that just may last a lifetime. -
Start planting earlier with a raised garden bed -Raised beds warm more quickly in the spring. A Raised Garden Bed can be constructed using many different types of materials; cinderblocks, stones, bricks, or even fallen trees. (If you can’t find these materials in your back yard you’ll find them at TRY Recycling) Use whatever fits best into your budget. Because the most common beds are constructed of wood, here are the instructions for building your own. Step One: Select a location -
Finding a flat spot will save time digging -You want your garden to be level. -
Observe the path of sun and shade in your yard -Your plants will want to face south and should receive a minimum of 5 hours direct sunlight per day -
Keep your bed within easy access to your water source and ideally you want to be able to access your bed from all four sides. Step Two: Garden Size -
Your Garden size may be determined by the available space in your yard but you should also consider the amount of time you want to commit to your garden. -
If you’re a beginner, start with one raised bed. You can always add another one next year or as time and inspiration allow. -
Your garden plot can be any shape but it’s recommended to keep the width of your bed 4 feet or less to easily tend the plants in the middle of the bed. An ideal height in 1ft tall Step Three: Construct your bed
Because we are growing “edibles” in our garden, steer clear of pressure treated lumber or old railroad ties. A natural rot-resistant wood like cedar is recommended. Recycled composite plastic lumber is another alternative Materials: to construct a 4ft wide 8ft long by 1ft high garden bed 1 – 6ft long 4x4 6 – 8ft long 2x6’s 32 – 3 ½ - inch wood screws (galvanized) Cuts: Most lumber stores can cut your lumber for you at a minimal cost if you prefer. -
Cut your 4x4 into four 18-inch corner posts. (Sharpen one end of each corner post to make a point – doesn’t have to look pretty – it will be pounded into the ground and no one will see it.) -
Cut 2 of the 2x6’s in half Assemble: Build your bed on a hard flat surface (concrete pad or driveway would be ideal) Assemble the two short sides first: Start by placing two of your corner posts flat on the hard surface. Set two of the 2 x 6's on top and line up the edges, the thin edge of your 2x6 needs to be flush with the top and sides of your corner posts. Secure your 2x6 with 2 - 3 ½” screws. Pre-drill the holes to avoid splitting the wood. Repeat at the other end of the board. Repeat with the other short boards and corner posts. Stand one of the assembled sides up on its top edge, so the sharpened ends of the corner posts are pointing up. Join short sides with an 8ft board and secure with two screws at each side. Now your construction is upside down and easier to finish. Add another 8ft board to the other side and then add the second layer of 2x6’s. With the help of a friend flip your bed over and you’re ready to install as soon as you prep your site. Step Four: Prep your Site Move your bed into position in the yard. Once your happy with the positioning, mark its location and move the bed aside. To prepare the site, get rid of turf and weeds. Dig a shallow trench on your mark just deep enough to bury about 1-2 inches of your frame. Depending on your level of ambition you have two choices here: -
You can turn and loosen the existing soil inside the bed to ensure that your plants roots have plenty of room to grow -
You can save yourself some labor and put your soil and amendments right on top. Step Five: Installation. Set your bed in place and tap it in. Tap in each corner a little at a time until the frame is slightly buried into the trench on all four sides and most importantly…level. Make sure your frame is level in all directions. If your bed is not level you may find water running off your bed on one side and collecting on another. Step Six: Pest Control (optional) To keep out burrowing pests a layer of hardware mesh (chicken wire) is recommended. Level the earth at the bottom of the bed and lay the wire mesh across the bottom. The mesh should continue at least 3" up along the insides of the bed and be stapled in place. Garden Bed and Soil Preparation Whether you just constructed a “raised garden” or you prepared an “in-ground” garden. It’s important that your soil provides the nutrients required to grow your favorite foods. TRYsoil and TRY Premium Compost will give your plants just what they need for optimum growth. Fill Your Garden: A raised garden bed gives you the opportunity to grow your garden in perfect soil. Take this opportunity to fill your bed with TRYsoil. TRYsoil-$28.32/yard $4.85/bag TRYsoil makes your gardening easier because it makes your plants stronger and healthier. The organic content in Trysoil provides the high nutrient value that is needed. This premium soil structure aids ins in root development and soil drainage. TRYsoil is designed by A&L Laboratories, a government certified soil-testing facility. The soil and compost elements are value tested for required nutrients and then carefully combined to deliver outstanding results. The TRY Premium Compost used in TRY Soil EXCEEDS Ministry of Environment requirements and the Composting Council of Canada’s Compost Quality Alliance (CQA) Standards. To calculate how much soil you need: Length in feet x Width in feet x Depth in inches ÷ 12 ÷ 27 = Cubic yards. If you have existing soil that you wish to use we recommend working in a 2-3” layer of TRY Premium Compost into the existing soil. TRY Premium Compost- $23.00/yard $4.45/bag Try Compost contains many available plant nutrients and these are released in small amounts over an extended period of time. This constant supply of nutrients helps plants grow and stay healthy. TRY Compost improves soil texture and moisture retention. In clay soils TRY Premium Compost will reduce compaction (loosen up soil) by increasing soil aeration and porosity. In Sandy soil TRY Premium Compost improves ability to retain moisture and provide a base to hold nutrients Level your Soil: Use a rake to make it smooth. Making sure your soil is level is just as important as making sure your frame is level and, for the same reason. Uniform water absorption from rain or your sprinkler encourages more uniform growth.
Mulch the pathway around your bed and between beds: This will keep weeds from sprouting in the paths and migrating into the beds while improving the look of your garden and landscaped areas. Not to mention after running out in the rain for a vine-ripened tomato you’ll appreciate mud free shoes. Scrape away any grass or surface weeds and cover the pathways with a layer of landscape cloth. Then cover with a 2"- 3” layer of TRY Landscape Woodchips. TRY Landscape Woodchips $22.13/yard $3.53/bag TRY Woodchips are made from clean, recycled wood; no treated or painted materials and the woodchips are processed to a uniform size.
Congratulations! You’re ready to plant or sow your seeds. Raised garden beds require very little maintenance. The bulk of the work, establishing the beds, only has to be done once. Each spring or fall it’s a good idea to top dress with fresh compost. With that being said, you’ll be enjoying the fruits of your labor and the bounty that grows in your garden for many years to come. Don’t forget! We’d love to hear from you! | 
