
Creating Raised Beds
I'd like to add several raised flower beds to my yard, but I'm not sure where to start.
First identify a location that receives the amount of light needed by the plants you want to grow. Avoid building raised beds under the drip line of trees. Additional soil over tree roots can injure or even kill many types of trees. Next outline the bed keeping maintenance in mine. Avoid narrow spaces and sharp angles that make mowing difficult. Use long lasting materials that fit the landscape and are plant and environmentally friendly if you plan to build a wall around this bed. Stone, plastic lumber and landscape timbers are a few of the commonly used materials. Cut the existing grass short and cover with several layers of newspaper. This will kill the grass and weeds. Cover the area with at least 12 inches of blended topsoil. Allow twenty percent extra soil for the settling that will occur. Lightly water or wait two weeks for the soil to settle. Now you are ready to plant.
Related
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
Feb. 7-9, 2025
PBS Wisconsin's
Garden & Green Living Expo
Madison, WI
Feb. 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Organic Insect Pest Management for Vegetable and Flower Gardens
Register here
Feb. 14-16, 2025
NARI Milwaukee Spring Home Improvement Show
West Allis, WI
Feb. 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants
Register here
Feb. 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Create a Beautiful Shade Garden
Register here
Feb. 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
How to Select Rain Garden Plants
Register here
March 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Grow Pollinator-friendly Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs
Register here
March 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Register here
March 22, 23, 29, 30, 2025
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI
March 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Succession Planting & Crop Rotation
Register here
March 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Rain Garden Q & A
Register here
April 2, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Container Gardens for Sun & Shade
Register here
April 10, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Reinvigorate Your Rain Garden
Register here
May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here
May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property
Register here
June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More