All raised-beds articles

garden fundamentals

Raised Bed Gardening Tips

What is a raised bed garden? It’s an enclosed planting area on top of the ground that offers one huge benefit: You never have to deal with poor soil, because you control what goes in the bed. What's more, because raised beds don't require planting in rows, you'll actually be able to fit more plants in than you would in a traditional garden of the same size — so you'll eventually end up with a bigger harvest.

diy garden projects

How to Build a Raised Bed

Build a sturdy, beautiful 4x8 raised garden bed in an afternoon to grow your favorite vegetables and herbs. Raised beds are an easy way to garden successfully.

diy garden projects

How to Build a Raised Bed with Benches

Build this raised bed with benches for a garden that's high off the ground, with seating on all four sides. Ideal for people with back or knee issues.

diy garden projects

How to Build a Super Easy Raised Bed

Make this 4x8 easy raised bed. The design uses easy-to-find materials. Get our video and instructions to learn how to build this raised bed garden.

diy garden projects

How to Build a Raised Bed Cold Frame

Protect your plants from frost with a simple raised bed cold frame that sits right on top of your existing 4' x 4' bed. The lid is held open with screen door closers, and the entire frame can be moved easily when the weather warms up.

diy garden projects

3 Easy Ways to Build a Raised Bed Garden

Perhaps you’re a new gardener, growing veggies and herbs for the first time. Maybe you’ve grown your own food for years, but your in-ground soil isn’t great, or you just need a bit more growing space. Whatever the reason, here’s one option worth considering: a raised garden bed. Here are three simple ways to build one.

diy garden projects

How to Make a Raised Bed from Bales of Straw

A straw bale raised bed is an inexpensive method for creating a raised bed. Perfect for new gardeners, frugal gardeners, or gardeners needing more space.

diy garden projects

How We Built Our Big 8 x 24 Raised Bed

We built an 8 x 24 raised bed to serve as a display in front of Bonnie Plants' home office in Union Springs, AL. Find out how we did it.

diy garden projects

Super Simple Concrete Block Garden

Raised beds are a great way to get around the problem of poor soil, but what if you don’t have any carpentry skills to build the actual bed? No worries! Skip the wood and put together a concrete block garden.

garden fundamentals

How to Choose Your Garden Type

Debating whether to plant an in-ground, raised bed, or container garden? We’ve outlined the pros and cons to help you choose the best garden type for you.

garden fundamentals

Growing Tomatoes: 9 Ways to Grow Tomatoes in Your Garden

Tasty and terrific, tomatoes offer garden magic at its best, transforming yellow blossoms into juicy fruits. But perhaps the most amazing thing about tomatoes is their adaptability. These yummy gems grow and thrive in a host of ways, from classic in-ground beds to quirky upside-down planters. Let us help you discover which of these ways to grow tomatoes is best for you.

garden fundamentals

Square Foot Gardening

Square foot gardening is exactly what the name says: dividing a growing area into 1-foot x 1-foot sections. In a true square foot garden, an actual grid is placed on the growing area to divide up the space. What you grow in each section depends on the mature size of the crop.

garden plans

Mediterranean 4 x 4-foot Garden

Grow a Mediterranean vegetable garden using this plan for a 4 x 4 bed. The plan includes Mediterranean ingredients such as eggplant, basil, and tomatoes.

garden plans

Sweet and Spicy 4 x 4-foot Pepper Garden

Planting a pepper garden is easy using this simple plan for a 4 x 4 pepper garden. Choose the types of pepper that you love most. Learn more.

garden fundamentals

Your Beautiful Backyard Garden

A great vegetable garden can be the focal point of a backyard. Tucked back in a far corner, it becomes a destination. Because the backyard is usually more private than the front, maintenance can be more relaxed.

garden plans

4 x 4-foot Homemade Salsa Garden

Grow the plants for homemade salsa in your own Salsa Garden in a 4x4 raised bed or in-ground garden. The plan includes tomatoes, peppers, onions, and herbs.

garden plans

Fast and Fresh 4 x 4-foot Pizza Garden

Use this pizza garden plan to grow fresh ingredients for homemade pizza. What better way to get kids to eat their veggies than putting them on pizza?

garden plans

Fresh and Handy 4 x 4-foot Herb Garden

Keep a collection of herbs handy with this herb garden plan designed for a 4 x 4-foot bed. The plan includes several types of kitchen herbs used every day.

garden plans

Fresh Tomato and Pesto 4 x 4-foot Garden

A tomato and pesto garden gives you ingredients for fresh pesto and pesto's perfect companion—tomatoes! Grow this tomato and pesto garden for summer.

garden plans

Hot and Sweet 4 x 4-foot Pickling Garden

Using this plan, gardeners of any skill level can produce their own ingredients for fresh, homemade pickles and pickled veggies.

garden plans

4 x 4-foot Cajun Garden

Are you itching to fill your big kitchen pot with gumbo, jambalaya, or another classic Cajun entree? Build your own cajun 4x4 raised garden bed with these suggestions.

garden plans

4 x 4 Grilling Garden

Many vegetables go great on the grill, either for a side dish or as the main event. Find out how to plant your own grilling garden.

garden plans

4 x 4-foot Chiles Rellenos Garden

Give your next batch of chiles rellenos a super-fresh flavor boost with ingredients picked from your very own garden.

garden plans

4 x 4-foot Tabbouleh Garden

Plant this garden in spring after your last frost date, and choose tomato and cucumber varieties that grow best in your area.