• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide

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


March 27, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

How to Start a Garden for Beginners
Register now

April 3, 2024
Garden Trends 

Franklin Public Library, Franklin, WI

April 10, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Container Gardening Throughout the Year
Register now

April 11, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

7 Steps to Managing Water Where it Falls in Your Yard
Register now

April 17, 2024
Landscaping for Birds: 
A Gardener’s Perspective

Glendale, WI 

April 18, 2024
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Golden Rondelle Theater, Racine, WI
Register now

April 20, 2024
Pruning Hydrangeas and Other Shrubs 
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL

April 27, 2024
Ridges & Rivers Book Festival
Viroqua, WI

April 28, 2024
Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI

May 1, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables
Register now

May 9, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

How to Plant Your Rain Garden
Register now

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win The Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide !

ENTER NOW