Gardens & Gables regularly installs raised veggie beds in Marin. We generally build them out of rough redwood. They are easy to build, look fantastic even with nothing growing in them, but can also make the most impact on our client's lives.
I've found that having a raised bed filled with weed-free organic soil with an automatic irrigation system is THE best way to get clients excited about their gardens. Most people do not have time to grow vegetables if they have to cultivate, amend, weed, water, and tend the plants. With a raised bed, all they have to do is tend the plants -and harvest the bounty. It's really easy, quick, and can be so satisfying.
I've been installing raised beds in Marin for over 15 years in so many locations -including many steep hillsides!- land that was not being used being made productive and a focal point of pride and production.
I've had some people complain that by using redwood we're using a precious natural resource that's in limited supply. However, when I see the beds still in great shape and super productive for over a dozen years, I think the use of this material is warranted. Please NEVER use pressure treated wood.
Here's a few pointers for installing the beds:
- Always build the beds near a water source. Install a hose bibb near the beds if necessary.
- The beds should never be more than 5' across -or you'll end up stepping through them.
- The beds should never be more than 12' long -or you'll end up stepping through them.
- The main paths between beds should be 3' wide; the secondary paths between beds should be at least 2-1/2' wide.
- The beds should be near a compost area.
The above rules apply because you don't want to compact the soil, you want easy access even when they're overflowing with plants and produce, and you don't want to haul hoses out to them or cart compost away.
General building:
- The ideal beds are 4' wide, and multiples of 4' long; 4',8',or 12'.
- They should be built out of rough redwood 2x12's and/or 2x6's.
- The ends should be butt jointed; no mitered cuts. The ends should be screwed together with torx bit screws rated for exterior use.
- Rough redwood 4x4's should be placed at each corner and at ever 4' increment along the bed on the inside. The posts should extend 12" below the bed. Concrete is not needed.
- Usually 12" high works fine. At 18" with a cap of rough redwood 2x6, they offer a comfortable place to sit while tending them.
- At 24" tall they offer wheelchair access.
- I like to put a finishing touch on the beds using a 5/8" qtr round with a router. This eliminates any possibility of splinters, makes kneeling against the side more comfortable, and gives the beds a finished look.
For the paths between the beds, I prefer to put down a layer of weed fabric and cover it with "playground fiber", available locally and sometimes called "WonderPlay". I like it because it is clean, it doesn't get stuck on pet's fur, it doesn't get tracked into the house, it can be easily composted, easily added to, and is a pleasing contrast to the darker mulches used in planting areas.
The soil I like to use is called "Local Hero" and is a wonderful organic soil blend available from American Soil & Stone. Throughout the years and especially recently, I've had people raving about the results they've gotten by sticking little vegetable "starts" (2-4" plants from a local nursery) into the beds ... and waiting. With the automatic irrigation and the incredible richness of the soil, the young plants grow amazingly fast. Clients who didn't think they could garden are so proud when they tell me about how much they are harvesting for their family and friends to eat, sometimes within two months of us building the beds.
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