Cambridge, southwestern Nebraska | I built 4 raised beds. 2' high, 4 foot wide, 16' long. We grow a lot of stuff in them. We usually cover one with plastic to get an early start. Plus, inter seed crops so we have something growing all the time. Thinking about trying to make one covered for all winter.
I used 2 x 12"s braced them inside so they don't warp out. Lined the inside with plastic but NOT the bottom.
It takes a little more water as the water drains out since the beds are elevated but not a big deal. You don't want to line the bottom otherwise you will have a bathtub.
I filled with good soil. Put a layer of compost in and topped off with more soil and a little bit of sand to make for a really good soil to work with.
Nice thing about raised beds is you never walk on the ground. So no compaction. And, I don't think the weeds are as bad either. Weed seeds don't get into the raised beads as bad as a regular garden.
2' high is about right so you don't have to bend over much. 4' is about right to reach from either side.
Sorry, I don't have pictures. |
raised garden beds
