17 Inexpensive Raised Garden Bed Ideas (2024)

FAQs

17 Inexpensive Raised Garden Bed Ideas? ›

Use the Lasagna Garden Method

To start, lay down sheets of cardboard or newspaper for weed suppression and then fill the raised bed structure halfway up with alternating layers of nitrogen-rich materials (like kitchen scraps and grass clippings) and carbon-rich materials (like wood chips and dried autumn leaves).

Use the Lasagna Garden Method

To start, lay down sheets of cardboard or newspaper for weed suppression and then fill the raised bed structure halfway up with alternating layers of nitrogen-rich materials (like kitchen scraps and grass clippings) and carbon-rich materials (like wood chips and dried autumn leaves).

On average, a DIY raised bed constructed from wood will cost $25 to $50 per square foot. To have a wooden raised bed constructed and installed for you, budget for at least $100 per square foot. (Find a kitchen garden company in your area.)

Add a physical barrier like burlap or weed barrier cloth to the bottom of your bed before you shovel in the soil. You could even use several layers of cardboard as a weed barrier. Just make sure to remove tape and any areas with glossy print first. The cardboard will break down in about 4 to 6 months.

The cons of raised beds

Use rot-resistant wood if you go with boards and figure even those eventually will have to be replaced. The soil mix also can be a significant, albeit one-time, expense. Raised beds need water more often since the soil is more exposed to air and dries quicker.

The Best Height for Raised Beds

Keep in mind that beds 18 inches deep or more will have better drainage than shorter beds. While most plants don't need anything deeper than 18 inches, I prefer beds that are two feet deep (24 inches). The extra height is mostly just for the ease and convenience of the gardener.

Large Branches or Logs: Refrain from incorporating large branches or logs into your raised garden bed, as they can take a long time to decompose and may compete with your plants for nutrients and water.

Gravel or Rocks: A layer of gravel or rocks can provide excellent drainage for your raised garden bed. This will prevent water from sitting at the bottom of your garden bed, which can lead to root rot and other issues. Gravel or rocks can also help prevent erosion and soil compaction.

For a 4x8-foot raised bed with a 6” height, using Mel's Mix: about 5 cubic feet each of compost, peat moss, and vermiculite is needed. It usually takes about two to three bags of purchased fertile mix (1.5 cubic feet each) to cover the bed surface to a depth of 2 inches.

How can I save money on a raised bed? ›

Save Money by Adding Leaves to the Bottom of a Raised Garden Bed. Leaves can be super beneficial to a garden. They fill your beds with organic matter that will slowly build great soil, and they're free!

The Disadvantages of Raised Beds

They heat up more and dry out a lot faster than level ground, which can be a big disadvantage in very hot or dry climates. They can cost a lot of money to create the frames, and fill the beds with soil, especially if you choose to use Mel's Mix (square foot gardening potting soil).

Fill the bottom half with broken branches, twigs and general forest waste. Add green material like grass clippings, weeds (without roots or seeds) comfrey cuttings, kitchen vegetable waste. Top up with 6 inches of topsoil and home-made compost mix.

Depending on your budget and gardening goals, you can line the bottom of your raised garden beds with wide-mesh hardware cloth, stainless steel mesh, landscape fabric, burlap sack, or newspaper/cardboard.

You can line your raised bed to make it more durable and to prevent toxics from leaching into the soil. For lining, use landscape fabric found at garden supply stores or cloth fabric from clothing. Avoid non-porous plastic, as it can retain too much water and discourage beneficial insects and worms.

Concrete blocks, or cinder blocks as they used to be called, are another item that could be cheap if you're upcycling them from another project. Pricing them out, they can cost anywhere from $1.50 to $5 apiece, making them a budget-friendly option, even for a larger raised bed.

Save Money by Adding Leaves to the Bottom of a Raised Garden Bed. Leaves can be super beneficial to a garden. They fill your beds with organic matter that will slowly build great soil, and they're free!

The WoodBlocX modular timber system is a great option for any garden project, and can be used to build raised beds, planters, benches & seats, raised ponds and garden retaining walls and edging. They are cheaper, easier to build with and more flexible than railway sleepers.