Comments on: Raised Bed Garden Design Tips

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 18:06:05 +0000

In reply to Sousa. It's generally not recommended to use pressure treated wood for garden beds. If you are using it, I would use a liner.

By: Sousa

Sousa — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 05:56:52 +0000

Hello! I haven’t been able to find anything on your site about raised bed liners. If I am using a pressure treated would to make my beds, is a liner necessary?

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 11:57:11 +0000

In reply to Marry Livingston. Hi Marry. I did have rock between my beds at one point and felt like it heated up the garden more. I have the wood chips quite deep so my beds are buried a few inches in them for insulation. Gravel could work too, it is personal preference.

By: Marry Livingston

Marry Livingston — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 18:57:30 +0000

Hi Angela, just getting started with raised beds. We live in Cave Creek and have to have the garden fully enclosed to keep the critters out. I noticed you have bark or mulch between your beds as pathways. Can you tell me why you use this material and have you tried gravel or other materials with less success?

Thanks,
Marry

By: Miriam

Miriam — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 15:50:35 +0000

I was wondering if you could tell us what online planning tool you used to do your plans?

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 01:23:16 +0000

In reply to Helen. Typically beds are positioned with the short side facing south. Best of luck with your garden. I hope you like those beds as much as I do!

By: Helen

Helen — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 20:07:14 +0000

Hello. I’m planning the placement of my four 4×8 Garden in Minutes metal raised beds. I’m in zone 9a also in AZ. Does it matter if I orient the beds so the long size faces south or the short end faces south? This will be my main vegetable garden. Thank you for your invaluable website.

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 02:47:51 +0000

In reply to Ali Hatch. Good question. I'm planning on doing a blog post with more information about the differences between wood and metal beds. I use both and like both. It may depend on where you live for the soil depth. My climate is very hot and dry and the extra depth helps regulate temperature better and retain more moisture.

By: Ali Hatch

Ali Hatch — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 17:02:11 +0000

Thanks for the great info! Can you explain the difference between choosing a quality wood material, like those cedar boxes, versus metal ones? I’m unsure what the different pros/cons are. Thanks! Also, can you explain what differences you’ve seen with using deeper boxes rather than the size Mel recommends (in SFG)? I trust your experience, I just wanted to get an idea before I have to spend extra on bigger boxes and more soil. Thank you!

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 03:16:37 +0000

In reply to Jim Dalton. I used landscaping fabric under my beds in areas with Bermuda grass. A thick layer of woodchip mulch helps to keep most weeds down.

By: Jim Dalton

Jim Dalton — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 12:32:53 +0000

Do you use landscaping fabric under your raised beds? I want to be as weed free as I can be.

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 16:01:04 +0000

In reply to Michelle. A local welder, Two Brothers Metalworks made them for me.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 20:56:58 +0000

In section #4, first picture – where did you get those wooden arched trellis’ from?

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 04:24:32 +0000

In reply to Angela Weiss.

They are vermicomposting bins, here is an article with more information: https://growinginthegarden.com/vermicomposting-made-easy-in-bed-worm-composting/

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 04:23:23 +0000

In reply to Andrea. No, I don't. The soil on top will begin the process of loosening up the clay.