How to build a raised bed the lazy, slacker way!
Last year, I attempted “square foot” gardening for the first time. I had recently moved and didn’t have time to get started until mid June, but I was determined to get a garden going regardless. I did manage to nail some boards together, fill them with dirt, throw in some seedlings and basically ignore them… surprisingly, my little neglected garden flourished! I started to think that there must be something to this raised bed method after all!
I decided to go all out this year. I have lots of charts, diagrams and seed catalogs to prove my enthusiasm. I decided I was going to build three new raised beds. Being the impatient and somewhat lazy gardener that I am, I didn’t want to waste time trying to single-handedly, yet perfectly, align those boards to create beautifully perpendicular corners. Fortunately, I found a quick and easy way to assemble the beds. Here goes:
The Quick and Easy Slacker Way to Build a Raised Bed
1) Decide on the size you want your bed to be. Really, the options are endless. (well, you don’t want to make it too big, cuz you will never safely make it to the middle without squishing something precious….) I made mine 5′ by 10′.
2)(just so you know, this is the slacker part…) Order some “raised bed corners”. I got mine for a good price from Gardener’s Supply. But feel free to shop around.
3)Get your lumber….have them cut it for you at the store…slacker!
4)Bring home lumber. Attach corners. Almost done…
5)Place bed in an area with good exposure.
6)Fill will good quality dirt. I use a 3 part mix of peat moss, vermiculite and compost(mine is a custom blend of doodoo from some carefully chosen ponies, llamas and goats… ;))
There, you did it! Your bed is ready to go!
Here is the Easy Slacker Way to take care of it:
1)Toss in some seeds/seedlings and add water.
2)Proceed with your summer as planned.
3)Check back in couple of weeks to clip some lettuce for dinner and maybe look for a weed or two.
4)Enjoy your status as a talented gardener!
For more information about growing a successful raised bed garden, I highly recommend “All New Square Foot Gardening” by Mel Bartholomew. It is extremely helpful and one of my favorite beginning gardening books.
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