June Environmental Education Topic:
How to Build a Raised Bed Garden
This spring Federal Way and Kirkland built raised bed gardens with materials granted by Home Depot. Raised bed gardens can be placed in areas with marginal or poor soil, they promote root growth and water drainage, and they prevent kids or dogs from running through the vegetable patch. Building the garden is a wonderful exercise in teamwork, leadership and developing skills with new tools. Below you can find the materials we used and an outline of steps to help you get started.
Materials for a 4x8 ft Raised Bed Garden
Drill
Hammer
Staple Gun
2 1/4inch Deck Screws- 1 box2x6x12 Cedar- 4 planks
2x4x8 Cedar- 2 planks
Weed Block- 1 roll
Garden Soil- 28 cubic feet Compost- 2 cubic feet
Seeds and/or starts
Trowel/sWatering Can
Hose and/or soaker hose
If you borrow a drill and hammer, you can purchase the rest of the materials, soil, seeds, and starts for about $200.00. LEAP! also has some trowels, shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, and a drill available for project use. Contact Christine at cmorris@positiveplace.org to request tools.
Step 1
Decide with the kids where to place the garden. How much sun will it get? Is it near a hose or spigot? Is it in a prominent spot or gathering place where families can be involved? Can a picnic table or play area be located near-by? What kind of community impact will the garden have?
Step 2
Decide when to build the garden and who will be involved. Will it be during Club time or on a weekend with family members and community volunteers?
Step 3
Purchase and gather materials. Ask the hardware store to cut the 2x6x12 Cedar planks into 4ft and 8ft sections. The 2x4x6 and be cut into 2ft long pieces. Cedar is not the cheapest lumber, but it resists rot and does not contain the chemicals found in treated wood.
Step 4
Build the raised bed on a level surface if possible. Start by drilling one 2x6 into a 2x4. Th
en drill another 2x6 in a right angle to the 2x4. Continue with all four corners. Add the seco
nd level of 2x6 planks and drill them into the 2x4s. You now have a box. For added support drill two more 2x4s in the center of the 8ft sides.
Step 5
Place the box in your desired location. Staple the Weed Block around the sides of the box. Poke holes in the bottom for drainage and for roots to pass through. The Weed Block will help prevent soil from leaking out any gaps in the box between the boards and will suppress grass and weed growth.
Step 6
Fill the box with soil. Work in compost.
Step 7
Plant seed and starts. You can create signs and labels for the garden. Use a watering can to gently water the seeds. Once they have sprouted you can use a soft spray on a hose or a soaker hose to water the raised bed.
Step 8
Decorate. Paint the box, make scarecrows, wind socks, stepping stones.
Step 9
Celebrate!
