6 Reasons Not to Make Raised Bed Gardens

Рет қаралды 41,447

3 жыл бұрын

As popular as raised bed gardens are around the world, there are some reasons you should consider not making them and pursuing a traditional in-ground garden. If you are researching what kind of garden you want to build, then you should watch this video!
I cover some reasons in this video as to why you shouldn't build a raised bed garden, and they are:
1 - Cost of raised beds is often high (especially with lumber prices skyrocketing in 2020)
2 - Weed Control may not be as good as you think, or better than in-ground (depending if you mulch)
3 - Soil quality for raised beds can be expensive, or not necessarily better than
4 - Vegetable Roots like to go deep! If you are making a raised bed because you have compacted soil, the roots will likely have trouble punching through after the raised bed!
5 - Garden Layout is fixed. It cannot be changed easily once built.
6 - Raised beds typically demand more water. The more-exposed sides lead to warmer soil temps, which means more water in the summer.
Disclaimer - Again, even though I said it in the video....If you are disabled, or have mobility issues.....then by all means build a raised bed garden! It is far better for everyone to garden than not. But if this isn't you, please take my video with an open mind. Soil improvement is a process, but a rewarding one. So, as long as you aren't hitting bedrock at 12", you can probably garden in ground if you want.
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Want to see how deep vegetable roots like to go? I've compiled the data here from the 1926 study. It must have been an exhausting job to dig a 5-10' trench to excavate veggie roots :
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Regarding No-Dig gardening. Charles Dowding's is the originator as far as I can tell. At least he is the first that I'm aware of. Here is his KZfaq channel. Look to him for a simple way to start a garden if you have a supply of compost or mulch. / @charlesdowding1nodig
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How to test Drainage. You should do this at the same time as the mason jar test: • How to Test Soil Drainage
And finally, if the info on veggie roots piqued your curiosity, you can read the entire 200 page book for free online:
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Пікірлер: 292

@spir5102 Жыл бұрын

I am 75 years old and have been gardening for over 50 years. I have grown in raised beds, both wooden and galvanized metal, I have grown in totes on my deck, in pots, and probably other ways. This year, for the first time, I am making beds just on the ground. Weeds almost made me give up gardening. What I'm doing this year is laying thick beds of hay along with grass clippings, leaves, coffee grounds, alfalfa pellets, and other natural garden amendments, to build beds on the ground, no raised beds. It has taken me this long to come to the conclusion that plants do so much better in deep soil. In the ground. I am also broadforking my rough clay soil for the first time in my life. I feel like, thanks in part to KZfaqrs like you, I am learning the best way to garden. Don't worry about the naysayers. Charles Dowding, one of my favorite gardeners, once said that he used to not tell the truth about gardening because people would get attack him. He said, as he gets older, he tells the truth as he knows it, regardless of the backlash. Keep doing what you're doing, because you are telling the truth and people can believe you or not. Happy gardening.

@growitbuildit Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I completely agree with you. In this video I was just trying to get people to consider reasons to try in-ground gardening, even though raised beds have been all the rage for many years now. And with my veggie gardening videos, I try to show how to make a successful in-ground garden for little money (mainly the cost of a fence). Thank you for the kind words - I really appreciate it! Never stop gardening!

@kathyhirsch379 11 ай бұрын

spot on sometimes its Beter if you can't spend. money on things it gives you time to think again and again if you think just look at the forest and try to copy.

@wayneparker5101 3 жыл бұрын

Firsts 😊 Good points. The only "bad" way garden is not to garden. Hard times are a coming.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Wayne! I couldn't agree more. The appreciation you get from growing your own food is unbeatable.

@wingabouts Жыл бұрын

After 4 knee surgeries, I made sure to do 18" high raised beds in my new home. I've now had a 5th knee surgery since building them. I was able to tend my plants using my walker! So thankful for my raised beds. ☺ But yes, they cost a LOT.

@growitbuildit Жыл бұрын

Completely understand - I would have raised beds if I had knee problems too.

@dakotakyd 8 ай бұрын

My thoughts too

@marcyzahm4453 2 жыл бұрын

“It’s better to garden than not garden.” Excellent statement-so many need to hear this when first starting out or when making a big garden decision! Thanks again for great content!

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome Marcy!

@lar113 3 жыл бұрын

I think this is a very factual and unbiased video, thank you. Raised beds maybe in my future as I am not as young as I used to be. I've been playing in the dirt since I was a kid, getting older is not going to stop me.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Lar. Never stop gardening. That is my goal anyway. And my folks - I'm pretty sure they will end up building a 3-4' tall planter at some point in their future. Thank you again for the kind words. -Joe

@nancywebb6549 3 жыл бұрын

I am 77 and work I my garden and yard about 5 hours a day. Some of my raised beds are 4’ x8’ x8” and some are 10” high. I can’t get up from the ground anymore and my beds allow me to garden either by squatting down or by sitting on the edge. You didn’t say how old you are but you can continue gardening as long as you are creative. Best of luck!

@darrenwalker905 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent points. My primary problem with raised beds is the expense. Thank you for expressing my thoughts so articulately.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

You're welcome Darren. Things can add up quick if you're not careful. Seeing these costs would really make me scrounge for some free materials and soil.

@juangomezfuentes8825 2 жыл бұрын

Not really. Everywhere you can find free broken pallets. With that you can build whatever raised bed. The biggest problem is really that it dry out faster. But I leave in England so I actually have the opposite problem.😂

@darrenwalker905 2 жыл бұрын

@@juangomezfuentes8825 it's not just the wood, it's also buying soil etc.

@elimanning6520 Жыл бұрын

They are not expense at all. This guy is smoking crack

@hobbitlady7568 3 жыл бұрын

Loved. We are same boat. All the way. Thank you for telling the world about leaves. Leaf mulch is the way. Your soil will improve 5-fold in like 1-2 years, I promise. I am glad I'm not alone knowing this. I improved my front beds so much with leaves that after living here only 3 years and mulching with leaves every fall I can now dig in my beds with my bare hands. It's incredible!

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

That is awesome - If only the leaves could turn rock into soil I would be completely set at my place!

@Irishjay-gu5pb 3 жыл бұрын

Great points!!! I was convinced last summer that this season I was going to put all kinds of beds in...key would was! After watching so many no till videos, and just learning the benefits financially, I have completely changed my mind! No raised beds for this farmer this year! But I really like how you respected anyone that requires one to garden, and it's soooo true, do whatever makes you happy as long as you are gardening!!! Love that!

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Jennifer - I was really surprised how quickly costs could add up depending on how tall you made your beds. I've worked hard to fix our soil, and it has really worked. It seems that there is nothing that compost and broken down organic matter can't cure. Well, except all the rock I've pulled out....But in reality 75% of my garden hasn't been "too" rocky. Still rocky, but nothing like the NW side.

@Irishjay-gu5pb 3 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit That's exactly what I was thinking, the cost of lumber has definitely doubled, which is insane! I live in central Illinois, and we have loamy clay...mainly clay. But I've seen videos where they went up and down their beds 3 times with a metal broad fork, then added compost...I make a mixture of cocoa peat, vermiculite, and compost, but they had great results, they could even grow carrots in the ground! Plus I watched a video describing that when you till your bringing up all kinds of weeds that wouldn't have otherwise grown. It looked so neat and tidy, using just string and sticks to mark the area to dump the soil, then they put cardboard down and put woodchips on top of the cardboard to use as paths. Made so much sense, since we sometimes get downpours here, to have all that woodchip mulch to soak it up. I think the video I'm referring to is from a man in France? Sorry I can't remember his name, but I know Charles Downing does similar beds. It's more work initially, putting down almost a foot of compost, but every year it's less, and the biggest draw for me is no weeds!!! He said he has to weed almost 2 acres only once a summer, and it takes him maybe 6 hours! Crazy! That's so much less physical activity on your body, and so much more time to work on other things! Lol, sorry, I got all long winded on you. It's exciting to talk farming this time of year! ;) Thanks again for really inspiring me to shake off my need to have beds!!! I have been dreaming of them for awhile, but it just doesn't make sense, or add up!

@Irishjay-gu5pb 3 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit Yep...we have rocks too, but I am hoping by not tilling this year it will be less of an issue. It's an experiment! Lol, I'll let you know if I lived to regret it ha!

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

I'm such a huge fan of not weeding. After I covered my garden with a ton of leaves in 2019, I was amazed at how little weeding I had to do. I'm hoping for similar results this year as I think I doubled the amount of leaves. It was awesome not having to weed the garden. I still get a decent number of seeds blowing in from my yard but the difference was crazy.

@kansascityonline 3 жыл бұрын

it took me nearly 10 years to remove my entire lawn.. its now a wildly meadow and the neighbors love it.. Everyone wanders though.. especially since my sunflowers can reach 12'+... I do have raised beds, but only really as dividers.. After all these years of my backyard city garden, I now just dig holes where I can squeeze stuff in.. I have basically used my entire property for growing.. I do what I call "reduction gardening".. I am at the point now where I just pull up whatever I do not want to grow,, lol.. it took 25yrs but hey!..

@dianabrown5090 Жыл бұрын

I just found your channel this year , and I have to say , I find it the best one I have found so far , for 2 reasons , 1 you just give the information, and leave it up to all of us to do with it what we will , 2 because you also live in zone six as I do . That being said I have learned more information on getting started than I have found ever found ! Thank you so much !! Looking forward to watching all your videos past and to come !!

@growitbuildit Жыл бұрын

Thank you Diana - I really appreciate your comment. I try to keep my videos about the info! Good luck getting started!

@bobbinatorrah67 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, very valid concerns to consider! My family and I use both raised bed and in-ground gardens. My contribution for people doing research is that we used 10 inch raised beds because our native soil is full of clay, drains very poorly. I would discourage making a raised bed garden taller than 1 foot, if you can till/soften the dirt beneath it.

@ChessKombat 2 жыл бұрын

I have started a sort of a combo approach. I was worried about soil compaction. So what I did was layed wood chips down as a path to create the beds but the "beds" are more of like dedicated areas that we do not step but insted walk on the wood chips. We are using leaves and straw to mulch the beds to also give a visual difference, while still improving the soil around the growing area. We hope this will allow us to have an easier time planning a square foot or biointensive gardening approach. Building raised beds is for the birds if you dont have to. Only benefit I could see would be to have something to attach a hinge for a low tunnel to for earlier harvests or having a nice place to sit down while harvesting.

@joon148B 2 жыл бұрын

Your videos are just so extremely helpful there’s not many words. Thank you doesn’t seem like enough, but thank you!

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Joon! I really appreciate your kind words.

@kels3972 3 жыл бұрын

I am so thankful I found this video!! I have been going back & forth with 'Do I do raised beds or not' question for months now!! Adding up all the cost I was like WOW, this is a lot!! I am just going to stick with my current garden & improve the soil! Thank you!!!!

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

I'm glad it helped you out Kel! Good luck with your garden. It would be one thing if you could get free materials. But if you were to make them tall enough, it could get pricey very quick.

@kels3972 3 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit It sure did help!!! That's for sure!! Yeah, talk about price!! I was getting overwhelmed with adding everything up!! LOL!!!

@ec9401 2 жыл бұрын

I agree with everything you said. I saw a couple in the middle of a huge argument at a garden center this last spring because they hadn’t realized how expensive it would be to fill their raised bed.

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, buyers remorse.

@Stephenzaffarano 2 жыл бұрын

I built my raised beds at 30" high, and U shaped, with an opening wide enough to accommodate a wheel chair. I don't USE a wheelchair, but I did it for the possibility of someone living with us or buying our property that may need that feature. I used hügelkultur also, to fill 3/4 of the bed with logs, branches, leaves, and grass before adding the last 12 to 16 inches with top soil and compost. It has sunk down some since last year, but when turning the soil, I'm now bringing up new material from the decomposed branches and leaves, and the soil is a rich dark consistency. I will add compost from the hardware-cloth cylinders that hold the layers until I'm ready to mix and work the piles. Within about a month, I've got plenty of compost to add and bring the soil level back up to the edge. It definitely makes planting and harvesting much easier, not having to bend down or kneel, as I do have back and knee issues already. I completely agree with the assessments above, however, if you're able to use and till the ground, you will get great results from the naturally occurring processes of decomposition, worm and bug interaction, and water uptake. Our ground has loads of clay at about 18" deep, but most roots don't go that far that I grow. I wanted more control over animals eating from the garden and the raised bed keeps most critters from climbing in (I have a hardware cloth section that goes about 3 feet up around the top edge). There was an issue last year with something burrowing under the raised bed, climbing up through the logs and dirt, and still getting to my crops!! Solved with more hardware cloth around the bottom edges about 1 foot out, to keep them from digging. I've read that most critters (maybe all?) won't back up from the wall to dig down...so they'll always hit that 1/2" hardware cloth and not get in. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Glad there are good people out there giving us all the details, not just what's mainstream or popular!! Thank you for the content and I hope you keep rolling!!

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the comment Stephen - If I needed to accommodate a disabled person, or became so myself, I would definitely be getting raised beds. It also sounds like you constructed a good system to keep your soil fertile and maintain the height. I haven't had to deal with anything burrowing down and getting my crops (amazingly), and have no complaints. I have only seen a ground hog a few times, and that was in the last year. I know we have both fox and coyote back here, which may add a nice balance to keep my pest population low. But thank you again for the kind words, and keep up the good work. It sounds like you have a nice garden at your home.

@ellenmaze 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. My first year of planting four years ago was in raised beds because that’s what I learned from some TV show. That was my introductory year in vegetable gardening and I had a high-yield. Subsequent years, every year, I had worse and worse gardens and I never watched any videos to learn more. Now I’m hooked on your channel and I am changing over to the ground. I’m gonna make it 20 x 20 and I’m very excited for all the help you’ve given us. Thank you!

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Ellen! Vegetable gardens (and raised beds) will get big benefits from adding fertility, whether it comes from compost or leaves that slowly break down. They just need that organic matter, as we are removing it from the soil when we harvest the veggies. You could possibly save your raised beds if you can recharge it with compost. But none the less, I'm happy you found my channel and are enjoying the videos we make! And good luck to you on your garden!

@ellenmaze 2 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit Thank you again. I knew NOTHING about composting, thought it was too complicated and science-y (lol), but your composting for beginners video showed me that I can do it too. I’m so thankful for you!

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

Composting becomes a way of life. Just make your pile 3-4' diameter, shoot for 50/50 green/brown, keep it moist and aerated. You will be good to go. Also, Starbucks gives out spent coffee grounds as a policy, so that is another free source of green material.

@ellenmaze 2 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit 😳😳😳👍

@VanDerLaars 2 жыл бұрын

You brought up a lot of points that people don't really think about. You also (very respectfully) pointed out (even though we got to know your opinion) that the are pros. Really good and informative. Thank you!

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Julio - that was my intention. I've met more than a few people who have 'buyers remorse' over raised beds. And I just wanted to get some people to consider alternatives.

@sarahd5341 2 жыл бұрын

This was super helpful. I have one raised bed and am adding another garden plot this year. I’m going to leave it on the ground and work with what I’ve got. I’m excited to start and see how it goes!

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent - best of luck Sarah! Really make sure you use leaf mulch! It was the single best thing I've done for my gardening.

@loribethartist6353 8 ай бұрын

I was diagnosed with FND a year ago (Functional Neurological Disorder) and when I have a flare I have constant tremors, double vision, dizziness, and shaking. I have to use a walker when it’s bad… when it’s “good” I can use a cane. I have found so much joy in gardening and have been considering raised beds. Thank you for all the information you provided- I subbed to learn more for next year ❤

@growitbuildit 8 ай бұрын

Wow that sounds awful. I'm sorry to hear that, but glad you are finding joy in gardening.

@marianreddy9848 3 жыл бұрын

Brilliant points to consider, just watched your video on. Leaf mulch and it's given me so much hope for better yields! Thanks for sharing!

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Marian! The leaf mulch results were really amazing. And it was free, and only took 1 year. You will not be disappointed.

@dayinthelifeofdolly8810 3 жыл бұрын

I fully agree I have a few large raised beds and direct inground. I have a very bad back so stuff that is short or needs more trending to goes on the raised beds. Stuff that is taller or just does not need much tending to goes on the ground and also sprawling stuff. Growing watermelon or something like that just takes to much room or ends up escaping and draping onto the ground and could possibly cause kinks in the stems and killing the plant anyways. Or stunting them greatly.

@judyvance1556 Жыл бұрын

I used straw bales as “walls” put cardboard down on grass, followed by wood logs, branches, sticks then peat moss, then purchased garden soil. My first planting is a ground cover of field peas to fix nitrogen. Hopefully in the spring it will be ready to plant veggies.

@growitbuildit Жыл бұрын

That is a nice way to get a natural/mounded raised bed.

@stephanieanddanielbolda9252 3 жыл бұрын

Great Video. You've thought out the issues very well. I'm amazed that you only have 248 views. This video deserves 250,000 views. I've been gardening for 20 years, with and without raised beds. I hate the slugs that the raised bed wood rails tend to attract. At night the slugs come out from under the rails eat all my spinach. Therefore, I only use my raised beds for peas in spring and tomatoes in summer for more warming. I find zucchini does better in a raised beds as well as they seem to crave the heat that raised beds generate since they aren't thermally connected to the cool earth as much as a conventional bed.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Stephanie and Daniel - that is interesting info regarding slugs and the raised bed rails. And something you can only gain from experience. Do you find that plants in raised beds stop producing sooner in the Fall as the raised beds cool off sooner too?

@nancywebb6549 3 жыл бұрын

You must live in the Northwest! I gardened there for years. I would take a jar of soapy and a flashlight on my forehead out at night and with rubber gloves I would drown the buggers. It really cut down the slug problem.

@tabithasherie3279 3 жыл бұрын

I agree with your points in this video. South Texas here 👋 soil really lacks! Two inches of top soil before you hit rock, always have a pick ready. I was fortunate to have 2x6x10 cedar lumber laying in a pile from an old project. My beds were a success last year. I wanted to add a few more this year, but the lumber prices are out of control right now. I’d recommend picking up a yard of bulk garden soil that contains compost, manure, and sand, ($39 -way cheaper than bags).

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Taba - I can sympathize with the rock! That is awesome that you had that cedar lying around. Those beds should last decades. Good tips too.

@thurstonmr 2 жыл бұрын

I had 1 raised bed and a in ground garden space. My raised bed was so much more efficient then the in ground garden, that I built raised beds in my whole garden. Just my experience, everyone has their own preference.

@noname-mu6kn Жыл бұрын

That means ur soil isn’t good

@JustBlazeDetroit 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video.. I started with a couple raised beds 🤣😭 Now I'm about to go in ground... 🗣️I need all my roots to grow FULLY 💯✅💞💞

@ZacharyRodriguez 3 жыл бұрын

All excellent points. The only use case I have for a raised bed is to control the growth of prolific herbs like mints. But I realized I could do the same with a barrel, and a barrel can at least get around point 5 on layout changes.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you - I was just trying to make people think twice before taking the plunge and creating a structure, spending money, etc. BTW - Growing your mint in a barrel is a great idea.

@irenemauro1347 3 жыл бұрын

I have both in ground and raised beds, which I use the Charles Dowding method for both. I see the benefits of both styles. I just made four new raised beds in our front yard as I was correcting for a slope and needed to work with rest of the landscaping. Just a couple of tips to keep the cost down: 1. I used cedar fencing boards and 2 x 2 short post to construct them. Each bed is only 4' x 6' and I I don't need them very high. Each one cost less than $25 Canadian to construct. (I do live in the PNW where cedar is predominate.) And I can get good quality municipal green waste comport for $5 as much as I can get. All in, four raised beds were about $100.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Irene - the cedar fencing board is a good tip. For shorter beds that would really be cheap. And I guess if you are dealing with a decent slope, then raised bed would definitely be your best option.

@JagdgeschwaderX 3 жыл бұрын

Yes I have the same problem, I have a lot of sloping land so am using raised beds to terrace...or maybe I'm just terracing :)

@Peace2920 3 ай бұрын

This was excellent. One additional reason to consider a raised bed for some to think about. I ended up getting one raised bed this year because my best area of sun exposure had propane and internet lines running under it.

@growitbuildit 3 ай бұрын

That would be a good reason to have a raised bed too - excellent suggestion

@michellejones-thewonkygard452 2 жыл бұрын

Like many, I started off with a raised bed, it was cheap, made out of plastic, but it did the job. I am now in the process of getting rid of the thing, it harbours slugs and snails like it was a hotel made just for them and also the roots of the plants are just not reaching the soil layers of my ground where the bulk of the nutrients and water lies. I am disabled myself, and I have found that the raised sides have caused me more mobility issues than not having sides. Not only that, but I was frequently finding myself stumbling over the edges and if I was on the floor, weeding or harvesting, I was having to reach up and over the edge which caused way more strain on my joints and muscles than if the bed was on the ground, I mean, if there weren't any sides and the paths are wide enough I can butt-shuffle along without any issues! (Can't fall over if you're already on the floor eh! lol)

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing Michelle. I hope that others in a similar situation will read your comment to better evaluate their own situation before purchasing raised beds.

@compiticny1445 Жыл бұрын

When adding a raised bed to the garden I dig down as far as the shovel will penetrate, used to double dig but gave that up a couple of years ago due to age. Screen the dirt along with compost and start to fill the bed and complete it with mulch and leave it until the next growing season. During that time I add kitchen scraps, coffee/tea grounds, etc by burying them into the bed. Prior to planting will add fresh compost to bring it up to the level I want, plant, and add mulch as the last layer. A lot of work, but so far great harvests.

@growitbuildit Жыл бұрын

With that much organic matter I can imagine you would have great harvest out of those beds Jamie.

@samsdaughterdehaven9990 3 жыл бұрын

Your channel is the best I've seen in a long time.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Priscilla!

@kansascityonline 3 жыл бұрын

my raised beds were because of unwanted lumber from years ago.. today, the cost of lumber is out of sight.. I was stunned to see that lumber has basically doubled.. yikes.. my "raised" beds are now just basically borders for my entire garden.. the wood has slowly deteriorated into the soil.. Good video..

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Free lumber makes a world of difference. It was interesting to look at, because I used to periodically by some to build rustic furniture and other random things. But I haven't bought much of anything in years. I couldn't believe that 2x4's were going for $5-6 at Lowes.

@cgchang007 2 жыл бұрын

Love the video! You’re a soil geek but knowledge is power!

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Craig. We should all be soil geeks!

@JagdgeschwaderX 3 жыл бұрын

This is a great video. I removed grass and found it very clayey, the first year I just used rocks to make a border (kinda a raised bed I suppose) and we put compost on top of the bad soil plus chippings on walk ways. the next year I made shallow beds, again to keep it neat and hold in the compost. This year I build much bigger and deeper raised beds, but when I dug up the soil where the chippings had been I found the soil had changed from clay to very organic black soil/compost. In hind sight the first rock border beds produced very well...they were not raised. Now I'm in a situation where I don't have enough compost and am still desperately trying to make more (I have heaps of manure) to fill them or the cost will be ridiculous if I buy green waste compost. I guess it makes sense to make shallow raised beds at first if growing on very bad soil although your idea of digging holes and filling them with compost is just as good or better. I am going to be working on conditioning my soil which is the thing I've figured out over the last few years. Oh and wood...very expensive stuff these days.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Nikko for the kind words. I hope you are able to make enough compost. I've seen some bulk compost available for reasonable prices. But it still isn't free. Depending where you live there is sometimes municipal compost for free too.

@nancywebb6549 3 жыл бұрын

This fall gather all of yours and your neighbors leaves. You can put a thick layer of them in the bottom of your beds and cover them with compost. My neighbor has three maple trees that I use. If you get enough you can layer them in your compost bin as the brown layer too.. If you are lucky you can find the leaves bagged and free for the taking. Best of luck!

@susanquinlan7426 2 жыл бұрын

You raise good points! If my season was not so short I would not do it. After watching I realized, perhaps I will try mounding a bed this year to see if that is a solution. another point. Peiople unwittingly use treated wood.

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Susan - I wish you good luck! I know what you mean about the treated wood. I can't say for sure the risks of using treated, but I know that non-treated will have no risk.

@detcat312 2 жыл бұрын

I have been planting gardens since I was in high school, back in the 1980s I have never built of used raised garden beds, I have moved a lot so not always dealing with great soil to start with but over time, I have great gardens, most of the time it is just getting what your soil needs, and just working your garden.

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

That has been my experience too! I think a lot of $$$ has been spent unnecessarily over the last 5-10 years making raised beds.

@malcolmt7883 3 жыл бұрын

You make professional looking videos. And you make a good point. If a gardener has decent soil, he may as well use it.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Malcolm. I'm all about being frugal with gardening. Using what you have, and finding ways to improve it without spending a lot of cash.

@cassandrafertahi1654 Жыл бұрын

My husband was very correct it's better to garden in ground but he also grew up farming in Morocco so makes sense! Thanks for advise

@growitbuildit Жыл бұрын

You are very welcome Cassandra, and I'm glad I could help you out. Good luck!

@Mary-bd9vu 3 жыл бұрын

I wish I had seen this video I was so confused because of all the things you listed! The previous renter left their raised beds here, I finally settled on a mix of the 2 things, my soil is the same as yours so I dug out a deep area in the ground inside the box for the tomato plants to have lots of extra room to grow and I’ve filled it half way so far using the old soil they had left in them which were covered in weeds I had to screen out but on the plus they had some leaves breaking down on top and until my compost pile is ready to use I just buy big bags of leaf gro to mix in among other things.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

You've got to use leaf mulch this year on your veggie garden. That is the best way to get some really nice soil quickly. It really stops the weeds too.

@doglover7675 2 жыл бұрын

We have four raised beds and have used them for years. I think a few of your early points apply such as about the quality of soil, and dry out. Mainly we have the raised gardens as we live in NC and have red clay soil which is so hard. That being said, I did plant some peppers in it last year and they did ok. Going to try some grow bags for deck corn this year? We always had problems with varmints when we tried to plant sweet corn in the raised beds.

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

Sounds good - you've got to adapt to your own situation. If your soil was too tough to garden in, then I can understand. You may want to watch my leaf mulch videos, as that has done wonders for improving my topsoil, which was overly compacted sandy-loam (the drainage of it behaves like clay).

@user-cg7tl 2 жыл бұрын

I'm considering making a whole garden-sized area with raised beds. I will use the brush and pruned bushes and pruned tree limbs to make the bottom layer. Next layer I'll put in grasses, leaves, ground up sticks, etc, and the last layers some sort of compoting material mixed with diirt from an area of the yard that I leveled, taking care of hills at the same time as providing dirt for my raised bed garden. The only materials I will need to buy are the fence to go around, and maybe I'll even make it 7ft high and make a wire mesh roof too to keep out the critters. And it won't cost much to do this at all, I'll just use materials on site. It might take a year to get it going, while I could start immediately if I invested many thousands. But I'd rather do it for free. The first year of a homestead will be so much work anyway, so I can plan the raised bed garden and prepare the mulch and composting and slowly build it over the year. In the meantime can grow some vegetables in the ground. So year 1 will have not-raised-beds, but year 2 I will be so grateful for all that planning for the raised bed, after the first year of crouching over the ground garden! And I will make none of the sacrifices with all of the benefits. And not to mention I will be healthier (much more fit), wealthier, and wiser!

@kimcritchley8231 2 жыл бұрын

I live in zone 10b. Hot, himid, sunny sandy soil south Florida. The cost involved in trying to condition or modify my soil is very expensive. My most cost efficient way to garden is raised beds. But with unusual recycled materials and items.

@alatsamy 2 жыл бұрын

Totally agree, but unfortunately, I can’t garden in ground anymore. The only way for me to garden is in a raised bed. Having raised beds are SO expensive. Thank you again for sharing valuable info.

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

I'm sorry to hear that you cannot garden in ground. But, it is always better to garden rather than not.

@Denpachii Жыл бұрын

I grow with what I call a modified Ruth Stout gardening method. Lots of straw allowed to compost with my crops growing through it, but moving it and lightly tilling in my compost (I live under no less than ten old growth Oaks, and one Maple), to plant under the straw for the next year. The closest to a raised bed I do is to put pine 2x4 on the perimeter to help keep the invasive's out. I never had much of a problem except with voles. The bunnies and larger don't get through the fence. (chicken wire backed by cattle fence for the deer)

@growitbuildit Жыл бұрын

Sounds like you've got a good system Denpachii.

@ronrosenkaimer1096 Жыл бұрын

Thanks. My wife suggested it. I have been resistant to the raised beds, because it just looks like more work for me, and I don't know how my electric fence to keep out the deer and rabbits would work in my yard. I never thought about the watering expense. The one thing that looks better to me about the raised beds is the walking areas around them, but it would then take more space that I don't have.

@growitbuildit Жыл бұрын

Thank you Ron. The walking area is definitely nicer, as well as the added height. But I just can't get past the expense and layout. You should look at my leaf mulch videos too - that has been the real secret to improving my in-ground soil.

@flowerpixel 3 жыл бұрын

I have chronic pain issues! I built a raised bed with the blocks on the corners so I can easily take them apart. But I haven't filled it ever because it's too expensive like you said, lol. One quirky advantage I think to having a raised bed is if you have dogs. I have little dogs that love to poop everywhere and I imagine if you have a raised bed a) dogs can't poop in it b) you have a deep layer of protection over existing old dog poop on the ground you're covering (????).

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

The block style ones seem to be a good idea to me, as then you shouldn't have fasteners loosen up over time. But the dog poop angle is definitely an advantage for raised beds - Lol. That is a good point.

@ingekaivola4685 2 жыл бұрын

I built raised beds with hardware cloth stapled to the bottom to keep out voles. I had to build them a foot tall or the voles go over the sides and into my raised beds. Something to consider.

@maliayork2364 3 жыл бұрын

My soil doesn’t drain well and I live in a literal swamp 🙈 so containers have proven to be essential, but getting tiny cheap 5 gallon containers has been just as effective as raised beds. They are a lot of hype and look nice but definitely not essential. Great video and info!

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Malia! If you are in a swamp, then you've got no choice. You've got to grow your vegetables above ground level somehow. If you are getting good yields with containers, and are happy - then keep doing it. Lumber prices are climbing higher and higher.

@bluebowser3121 2 жыл бұрын

I love raised beds because i live in an area with heavy waterlogged clay. Certain plant species I love are impossible to grow here outside of raised beds / pots. I use breeze blocks instead of wood because it doesn't rot away. They also have mini compartments in the bricks to fill with soil and grow alpines.

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

If it is working for you - keep doing it. It is also nice that your blocks won't degrade, so that is a one-time expense.

@leahsnt Жыл бұрын

This was so helpful, thank you!

@growitbuildit Жыл бұрын

You are very welcome Leah! Good luck on your garden!

@moniquegebeline4350 3 жыл бұрын

My raised beds are no dig and basically the wood just frames them so the soil doesn’t wash out flat. I have horrific clay and Bermuda grass that’s near impossible to dig into, I’ve tried gypsum, leaves, manures, composts, the problem in our area is that it’s so hot it cooks the top few layers of soil out and it basically stays without biolife- the worms can’t break through the pan. So it’s easier to build it from the top down and easier to keep biolife in the first 12-18 inches.

@Ms.Byrd68 Жыл бұрын

I see nothing wrong with being 'realistic' about ANY METHOD of growing! You should know what your getting yourself into because some people are only gardening because EVERYONE ELSE is doing it! Before anything else, you need to really want to grow and be committed to it. Expense & time are the two most costly things about doing ANYTHING! Good video.

@growitbuildit Жыл бұрын

I'm glad you enjoyed it Ms. Byrd! And I agree - there are many people who just follow the trend. And the expense with raised beds can add up quick if you are not careful.

@Terri_Stauffer 3 жыл бұрын

I would prefer to plant into ground, but the area does not drain well, I have swamp once snow melts or have rain, plus very rocky with some monster rocks. I used some left over lumber to make raised beds and as an experiment this year I planted a few things directly in ground on hill near fruit trees as I ran out of room in raised beds another draw back, limited space. The kale absolutely love it, will see how tomatoes grow.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Sounds good Terri - you can't garden in a swamp. And that is nice that you could use leftover lumber, as the prices are sky high these days. Good luck!

@selfiopath1982 3 жыл бұрын

I've been having unprecedentedly great results with no-dig. Both David Austin roses and humble root crops perform better if planted/sown straight into a layer of peat-free compost mulch. My no-dig trial patches showed outstanding disease resistance compared to the tilled beds (radishes in particular). I begin to see the benefits of undisturbed soil biology of no-till soil on the overall pest resistance, drought tolerance and vigor of all my plants.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

I'm getting the same results. Originally when I built this garden I didn't till because I knew I would likely damage a tiller. But the no-dig method has been working great. Although I have heavily amended specific holes when I plant. But my results have been so good that I see no reason to change anything.

@crpth1 3 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit - For what it's worth my personal garden as been done in what was construction fill! Literally loaded with stones and pretty much anything else to make volume. I believe, from some digging I did, even bricks and other construction remains are in there! Literally the worse for gardening. No dig/till approach Is changing it's face as we speak. Over the years the results are simply better and better. ;-)

@thewhippingwhisk553 Жыл бұрын

I have grown a garden both ways but had a huge harvest with raised beds. This is because I have terrible native clay soil. They are more expensive to set up but once you start and fill with soil the maintanace is quite easy. I live where we get snowy cold winters and to increase soil fertility I dump all my kitchen scraps in the raised bed in the winter and once the spring comes I turn it a bit and it turns into rich compost and reduces waste in our landfills. Bonus the rabbits come eat the kitchen scraps and leave behind their droppings so I get natural powerful fertilizer.

@growitbuildit Жыл бұрын

Sounds like you've got a great system going. If you ever think of expanding, you may want to look into leaf mulch. That has bee nothing short of amazing for my garden soil.

@thewhippingwhisk553 Жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit yes leaf mulch is great, been doing that in my garden too. Helps reduce watering and puts nutrients back in our soil.

@dzimidimi09 3 жыл бұрын

I was lucky to come across this video. For a long time I thought about raised beds made of different materials but now I have changed my mind. Anyway let me ask you what is your experience with gardening straw bales? That seems to me to be a compromise solution, considering that kneeling over the years is getting harder and harder. Thanks for the video.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Dimitar, I have not used straw bales. Although I do have a coworker who used them. He thought they did well. But if kneeling is a big problem, then by all means perhaps consider raised beds.

@nancywebb6549 3 жыл бұрын

I am 77 and garden with raised beds. It helps if the sides are thick (2”) so you can sit on them. There is a product you can buy that is a kneeler turned one way and the legs are handles to help you get up. Turn it over and it is a seat about 24 inches high. It is genius!

@snowwhite5005 2 жыл бұрын

Very informative video .. Thankyou ❤️

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome - I'm glad you enjoyed it!

@EarlybirdFarmSC 3 жыл бұрын

Very good points, especially the first one about the cost of lumber. I do the lasagna style of gardening right now like Charles Dowding.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

I've found the lasagna style for building flower beds to be the easiest way. But lumber prices are insane right now. They weren't cheap prior years - but costs have doubled at least.

@EarlybirdFarmSC 3 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit Yea it double or triple here. If I do build any beds, it will be will cedar logs that I cut off my property and I’ll do lasagna gardening in there. Cardboard, leaves, straw, then finished compost. Pretty cheap to do if you make your own compost!

@lilywondertwin 3 жыл бұрын

Good points thank you you made me decide to skip them . Another issue you cannot grow tomatos in the same spot more than two years in a row because of illnesses they leave in the soil. Raised bed makes this harder tom move them

@nancywebb6549 3 жыл бұрын

Not if you have enough beds!

@johnpritchard7722 Жыл бұрын

Thanks, very helpful 👍

@growitbuildit Жыл бұрын

You are very welcome John!

@judyvance1556 Жыл бұрын

I used straw bales as “walls”, then put in logs then branches and sticks, then peat moss, finally purchased garden soil. Then I planted nitrogen fixing field peas.

@bastila6564 3 жыл бұрын

Florida here and after harvesting beets I planted in ground with a layer of top soil, I discovered root knot nematodes. Since my dirt is really sand anyways do you think its be best for me to just solarize that spot and start over? Or should I bite the bullet, build raised beds, and add soil? I found jungle growth at lowes for $8 for 2 cu feet and that's the cheapest I've found.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Sarah - I'm not that familiar, but would the root knot nematodes be able to get into the raised beds too? Or are you going to completely isolate the beds from the surrounding soil such as a 'trough feeder'?

@bastila6564 3 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit would it be protected if I got a liner or laid cardboard down? First? Also what's a trough feeder? This will be my first try at a garden.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

I live up north and have no direct experience with root knot nematodes. The trough feeder would a galvanized bin for feeding hogs or livestock, with a metal bottom. I think you may want to call your county Ag extension office. They would probably be able to offer the most practical advice for your situation. Sorry I can't help, but I'm just not familiar with the problem.

@NthGbsn30 2 ай бұрын

I have the same awful soil. I’m so glad my FBI agent in my iPhone suggested your channel! I’ve been shopping FB Marketplace for raised beds or was going to make them myself from wood pallets. Now in another vid you mentioned that you have AJW, how is your garden with them?

@growitbuildit 2 ай бұрын

Well, my garden is perfectly fine with AJW. The only thing you may notice is very loose soil at the top. But if your mulch your garden, there should be no adverse issues with AJW. I strongly recommend you check out my leaf mulching videos. That is done amazing things to my soil. I add roughly 2" of black, organic top soil per year. Last year the deepest 'black' soil I had was 9" down! Here is the first video - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/od-Jo6p_v7Wnp3k.html

@nancywells5626 3 жыл бұрын

I bought a canoe at a garage sale with the idea of drilling holes in is and planting my Cordyline, Bromeliads and other plants for under the shade of my oak trees. Well, I never got around to drilling the holes. I thought about how much dirt i would have to buy to fill, that's when I started to run out of steam for the project. Sometimes I do use aluminum tubs that have rusted bottoms for some of my plantings and Bromeliads. Nice that they have handles that they can be carried to another location if they are not too heavy.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Your canoe idea was a great one though! That would look really cool. But your aluminum tubs sound like a nice-looking planter too.

@nancywells5626 3 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit Thank you, maybe one day I will do it still. Unfortunately the canoe is hiding in tall saw grass in the back part of the yard. I hate that stuff. The roots are nearly 2 feet long. Do you know the best way or eradicating this stuff?

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with Sawgrass. You may be able to smother it with cardboard

@nancywells5626 3 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit Thank you.

@andresvaldevit3692 2 жыл бұрын

Basic arguments, not deal breaking though. I think a raised bed garden is overall a quality of life improvement over how vegetable gardening was done the old school way by my grandfather at ground level by breaking your back. Even though my grandfather never had back problems I'm not as strong as him and I want that added commodity.

@stracyabreu1574 3 жыл бұрын

I’am in zone 7b, should I start planting in ground once danger of frost has passed?

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, you can do that for potted veggies you purchase. Also, each pack of seed you buy usually has a list, or map with when it is safe to plant directly into the ground.

@HGrimes Жыл бұрын

After in-ground gardening exclusively for years, I finally added my first raised bed to the mix last year. And what I learned is - I really don’t understand all the love and praise for raised beds. I hate how I have to like…actually water it…I even started with the sandiest, most worthless soil with zero nutrients and I STILL feel in ground > raised bed.

@growitbuildit Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing Grimes. I think the aesthetic of raised beds, not having to rip up turf grass, not have to deal with compacted soils, and the fact that so many people have done it over the last 10 years or so are the key driving factors. But I've found it really doesn't take much to drastically improve your soil over the course of a couple years. And it costs no money to do so.

@hondahunny18k 3 ай бұрын

What if you live in a hot climate and I can move the beds? Or will ground be okay

@growitbuildit 3 ай бұрын

If you want raised beds, and can move them, then you should get them. But before spending the money, you may want to check around your area to see how others garden, and how it works for them. You may find a lot of people garden in the ground and do just fine, thus it could save you a lot of money by not having to buy/build them.

@ednamcknight939 3 жыл бұрын

I’m new to gardening 🧑🏻‍🌾 and all we have is strictly sand or sandy ground. Some grass grows but not much. How can I do ground gardening beds ?. Really need the help and any tips!.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

If it is strictly sand, then you probably either need to make raised beds. Or, add a huge amount of organic matter - compost, etc. You may want to test the current drainage rates.

@crpth1 3 жыл бұрын

Finished compost if you want to start right away. And overtime add all organic matter you can get your hands on. Even weeds! ;-)

@sethmoking Жыл бұрын

What do you do with your cut out sod?

@growitbuildit Жыл бұрын

I either dump them in the woods behind my house, or flip them over. If you flip them over in place, there will still be isolated blades that push through the seems between pads.

@sharonwhite1629 3 жыл бұрын

You probably don’t have Bermuda grass like I do in southern New Mexico. It basically grows wild in my area. I have been told it grows as deep as 18 inches. Leave one little inch of a root and it will grow again quite rapidly. Another issue on my property is gophers. As well as all the neighbors. Not easy to control. I have a small pecan orchard so I don’t want a garden in the surrounding area. May have issues with tomatoes and other vegetables that don’t like pecan/walnut trees. Also I have several other trees for shade because of the hot southwest sun. Tree roots of my huge mulberry and even the ash trees are difficult to deal with in a garden. I built a couple raised beds, dug down about a foot, put hardware cloth to keep out gophers and landscaping material to keep out Bermuda grass. Time will tell if my efforts will be worth it.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Sharon - well, it sounds like your Bermuda grass by itself could require raised beds. We don't have that kind of grass this far North. So, it sounds like for your situation, you made the correct choice. Good call on avoiding the Pecan Trees too. There roots do make Juglone.

@stracyabreu1574 3 жыл бұрын

This was great information, I just removed raised beds from my garden. They lasted 3 yrs, they were rotted from the bottom and some had termites. The last year I had a real weed issue. I will not be going with the raised bed option again. Thanks for helpful tips!

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

You're welcome Stacey. Wow - the lasted only 3 years? If you don't mind me asking, what size and type of wood was it?

@stracyabreu1574 3 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit sorry foe late response, we bought the house with the garden already built. I think it was pressure treated 1x6 wood, there were (4) 4x4 boxes and (2) 4x8 boxes. One big box was still in on okay condition. But the rest were all rotted out and infested with termites.

@chrisb6791 2 жыл бұрын

Nicely done! Some folks can get so butt-hurt. Geesh people, to each his own! PS, love your videos, now subscribed!

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Chris. This topic can be a bit sensitive at times. I just wanted to show both sides.

@rebeccajohnson1368 3 жыл бұрын

Cost: repurpose wood pallets often available for free. Soil: hugulculture. Weed: mulch.

@kathyhirsch379 11 ай бұрын

spot on i got 2 beds it needs so much water

@growitbuildit 11 ай бұрын

That is a bummer! But if you ever expand, try it in the ground.

@francestaylor9156 4 ай бұрын

Yah I can see that just a board in the ground would make for basically a border around your native dirt lol. I have raised beds on top of hard clay and basically a dump site for the house builders lol (I dug into the soil to pull out rocks and found a bunch of crap). The area is sloped so my beds are like 4 concrete blocks tall dug into the slope (32 inches). Filled the bottom part of the beds with logs and wood chips. And then with soil for the top 16 inches. Every year have to top up with compost (I make from leaves and grass clippings throughout the year). I think I have a lot of success bc my beds are so deep and basically hugelculture. The logs act like water batteries and places for the worms to live. Any earthworms I find go into the beds and compost bins. Slugs are a problem though even with concrete block beds. They seem to spawn from the ground and the rain lol.

@growitbuildit 4 ай бұрын

I completely understand your frustration - and it sounds like you came up with a good solution with your steep slope.

@nikkster01 3 жыл бұрын

raised beds are expensive if you want pretty landscaping For garden no 1 I used broken vineyard posts sourced for free (usually 6ft long as they snap at ground level the owners will beg you to take 500 !!!!) and lined the bed inside with ex real estate plastic signboard luckily I scored earthworks for free from neighbours new driveway dig garden no 2 corrogated roofing iron sheets cut in 2 and wooden corners total cost $100 for 5 4ft by 12ft beds I had to use raised beds due to the earthquake "soil" in my city ( like growing in vacuum cleaner dust) so bought 2 loads of soil/mushroom compost mixed at $40 each load brassicas are currently $4 each so winning already plus this is our hobby some people smoke drink collect beermats, go sea fishing it all costs money

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Fair enough Nik - you figured out some nice ways to build them cheap. And it looks like you got a great deal on the mushroom compost too.

@joelmaateka2977 2 жыл бұрын

Never thought about "holding water", was thinking seriously about building one but now, nah. Thanks.

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

You are welcome Joel.

@joelmaateka2977 2 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit City water's is expensive where I'm stranded.

@flatsville1 3 жыл бұрын

Agreed on nearly all points. A You Tuber in Michigan w/ 400k+ followers who grows in slightly raised compost filled beds advises against growing in anything but compost...because you don't want nemotodes...or so he says. (Note: There are good & bad nemotodes.) He's got people dumping all kinds of amendents into the beds. He's got them believing they're growing "soil life." Truth of the matter is his mature plants have far exceed the depth of his beds & his followers are spending a fortune on a few inches of expensive seed starting "in bed" mix. It's kinda hysterical. Oh, he sells all kinds of stuff including fertilizer. He's starting a nursery. He's gonna take his customers for an expensive ride.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

That is amazing. It's like nobody ever thought about how their grandparents grew their gardens. Nothing fancy, in-ground, and using traditional methods that work. I find that putting effort into fixing what is already there is more economical than getting addicted to the 'best' stuff from a nursery.

@flatsville1 3 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit I have found gardening cultists on the spectrum from apple to zinnia growers to to be among the most gullible of folk. Oddly many, many permaculture type adherents among them. If I were an evil person would start a line of gardening products, books, courses, paraphenalia, etc... get it certified and/or labeled organic & take everybody's money. It's so easy.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Lol. Maybe I should stop with the basic, simple methods and start selling magic beans.

@crpth1 3 жыл бұрын

flatsville1 - I call it "credit card" gardening. It work wonders... for the one selling stuff! LOL 😂

@DevinAK49 3 жыл бұрын

I just think they're beautiful. Also our soil where I'm at in alaska is abysmal. So I need to bring in soil anyway.. I get the argument

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

You gotta be happy with your garden!

@travisevans7502 3 жыл бұрын

The reason I chose raised beds was to get it up off the ground and I also have butter cup with roots to China not realistic to remove so I put down several layers of cardboard and covered with 12 inches of soil put cardboard down around the beds with 3 to 4 inches of wood chips bordered with landscape bricks no weeds now for 3 years and looks really nice got the bricks and wood chips free and lumber was $50 a bed and garden mix soil was $35 a yard I hauled it myself I don't mind in ground beds but I prefer raised beds for convenience and looks. Raised beds make it easy to make a removable cover for even earlier season start you don't ever walk on them and easier for high intensity planting I have drip irrigation so watering is not an issue for me I live in the PNW so no water shortage.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Travis, it sounds like you made the right choice for your situation. I would not want to fight roots from buttercup, and your raised beds seemed very reasonable cost. But most of all, if you are happy with them, then that is the main thing.

@travisevans7502 3 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit I really do like the looks of raised beds better but had I not had better cups I would have just went with in ground because it's so much cheaper and it works just fine wasn't an option for me though not without way more work than I wanted to do.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

There are some plants it is just not worth fighting. Smothering that one is by far the best option. Evil stuff.

@travisevans7502 3 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit yeah it worked really good in the beds them selves I didn't have any pop up in those the walkways I had a couple pop up here and there kept on top of them and now it's gone finally.

@joon148B 2 жыл бұрын

I need help figuring out how to keep toads out of every hole I dig to plant in. I have very compact clay soil. Any hole I dig ends up with a toad in it & it ultimately kills my plant.

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

Wow - I must say I have never heard of that problem before. So they dig down into the hole - like making a little nest or something?

@joon148B 2 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit yes! They’re beneficial, so I don’t want to eradicate them, and I’ve provided broken pots for them to burrow under, but there are so many!

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

Wow. I've not heard of that. Cayenne pepper? Might keep them out, at least initially

@joon148B 2 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit good idea. That may help with the neighbors cat too! Thanks! I’ve been breaking my back collecting gum balls up spread in flower beds to try to keep the cat out 😣

@flatsville1 3 жыл бұрын

Any new raised beds (due to back issues) will be dirt filled & made from saw mill scab or slab boards secured with concrete nails...or for the full on "rustic look" tree limbs secured with concrete nails. Lumber prices are stupid. Dig two feet down for all the dirt you need to fill the beds & then fill in the trenches which become paths with woodchips.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

That is a genius idea to use slab wood. That is cheap as can be - I think I could get it for $35 a pick up load and it would be about 8' long. It really is amazing how expensive lumber has gotten. And that is also a great idea for using your own soil as fill.

@flatsville1 3 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit I've lived in 3 different growing zones due to career moves & have had to improvise when starting new gardens eac time. I've had to try different methods due to sometimes absent or often inaccessible resources & supplies (due to distance and/or cost.) There's usually a way around. I'm with you. People spend way too much $$$ on gardening paraphernalia. My people were production gardening 125+ years ago when they left the city due to soft coal air pollution.

@flatsville1 3 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit There are a variety of DYI KZfaq tutorials on using free pallet wood to make raised beds, but it becomes more of a carpentry project than a gardening endeavor. At minimum you need a recipro saw (perhaps a good jig saw) & a drill. Then pallet wood beds rot easily unless you coat with linseed oil (low/non-VOC w/o drying agents best & expensive) use a natural stain (expensive unless you make your own walnut stain) or scorch with a torch (Japanese style.) Using scab/slab wood or limbs/branches & driving concrete nails/rebar is much easier.

@joon148B 2 жыл бұрын

And one more comment- I have to agree with this video. I’ve had raised beds for a couple years now & they’re not all they’re cracked up to be.

@DebunkTV 3 жыл бұрын

Nice

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@sharonloomis5264 3 жыл бұрын

I used cedar 2x12. Now they are $9 per linear foot. Oregon. I am 73.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Wow. That is really expensive.

@mackwalker4564 2 жыл бұрын

mNo one has said anything about having the soil tested before planting a veg garden. Should I have soil tested, even when I use my own compost. This is for an in ground new veg. garden.

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Mack, if your property has never been used as an industrial site, or you have no reason to think that anything has ever been spilled on it, then the soil is probably 'safe' from heavy metals and the like. I have tested pH with a simple cheap meter, and have tested soil texture using jar and hand methods (I've got videos on those). But I've never done a 'nutrient' profile on it from an Ag extension service. If you are going to be top-dressing or amending with organic matter / compost, then you are probably going to be providing all the nutrients required. However, most local county Agriculture Extension services do offer soil testing for free or low cost. Just call them up to see. It could be something to do during the Fall/Winter when there is less gardening to do.

@mackwalker4564 2 жыл бұрын

@@growitbuildit Thanks for the information. I have 3 compost piles and I'll add all 3 to my garden plot this fall hopefully to enrich my soil for spring planting.

@bobbun9630 Жыл бұрын

I mostly grow in ground, but I do have a few raised beds. To my way of thinking, raised beds aren't worth doing unless they're waist high. Forget about all the things commonly thought of as serious disabilities... I'm getting *old*, and I just don't see much of a point if I still have to bend over or squat down!

@growitbuildit Жыл бұрын

I fully understand Bobbun. And I agree, to me I wouldn't do it unless it was quite tall.

@rebeccajohnson1368 3 жыл бұрын

Root depth: make a soil mound.

@terilynnwalker836 3 жыл бұрын

If a raised bed isn't deep enough to accomodate 4 foot tomato roots because the soil below is clay, how will a non-raised bed accommodate the roots? Are you tilling and improving 4 feet deep? This point doesn't seem like an accurate point. Otherwise, though, I agree with the arguments you've proposed!

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Teri - the point and example I was trying to make in the video was that digging a larger and deeper hole, and heavily amending with compost would be equivalent of most raised beds (most are 18" or less). Basically that they were equivalent. If one were to build a 3 or 4' tall raised bed, then for sure that would be better for deep roots.

@nancywebb6549 3 жыл бұрын

I have 12” raised beds And the tomatoes grow fine in my beds on clay. If you put down some rough unfinished compost first it can actually soften the soil as the worms come up to enjoy the compost. I find that a mixed cover crop in winter really helps.

@rebeccadees2300 Жыл бұрын

I'm 71 and physically cannot dig a small garden. I was planning on using 2 of the metal raised beds, buckets and large plant pots. Now I'm not sure what to do. Expense is a major issue. 🤦

@growitbuildit Жыл бұрын

I would suggest looking at used raised beds, as they sometimes come up on Facebook marketplace cheap. Also, container gardening can work very well in smaller spaces.

@mitchellbarker9368 2 жыл бұрын

Any new gardeners watching this, PLEASE take this video with a grain of salt and look up a few videos on the benefits of raised beds. I started planting straight in the ground and transitioned to raised beds and saw a great improvement. Granted, everything depends on your specific circumstances, but I firmly believe that, in most circumstances, raised beds are more beneficial than not. The only real valid point, in my opinion, that was made here is that they are more expensive, initially. This extra cost being materials to build the walls and the soil to fill them. However, unless you already have perfect native soil, then you are going to want to build your soil anyway, which means the only extra cost would be the building material for the walls. Also, to address the point about raised beds causing difficulties with modifying the layout of your garden, it is not that difficult to disassemble a raised bed and move the soil. In my experience, it is much more labor intensive to have to scrape up(roots and all) a large patch of grass than it is to assemble a bed and shovel in loose soil. Also, top soil is not a good choice with which to fill your raised beds, or to grow in at all, unless it is your only choice. There are places that sell bulk planting soil mixes or at least the separate ingredients to blend a decent planting mix if you search in your area.

@yennyjen5742 3 жыл бұрын

Any tips to keep deer away?

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

The best thing I've found for deer (outside of a fence) is Liquid Fence. I've used it on the leaves of vegetable plants, and make a perimeter around the garden. This stuff really works, I've used it for about 7-8 years. You need to follow the directions to the letter - as long as you keep up with it, the deer will not bother your stuff. amzn.to/3kNt4tA I do have a 4' fence around my garden, and believe it or not, it is effective at keeping them out. I think it inconveniences them just enough to be effective. I never even lost any peas.

@nancywebb6549 3 жыл бұрын

I. I had a problem with deer so I made a spray in. Five gallon bucket. I added shredded Irish Spring soap (Dollar Tree),several eggs, ground garlic, cinnamon and water. Cover and let it sit for a week or two until it stinks awful! With rubber gloves, outside, strain it into a sprayer. You can spray it around but not directly on the fruit or vegetables do to the eggs. You might have to reapply if it rains really hard. I never had any damage and the deer seemed to learn that they were not welcome. Good luck!

@nancywebb6549 3 жыл бұрын

I am 77 and love my raised beds.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

You've got to enjoy your gardens. I hope I never stop.

@nancywebb6549 3 жыл бұрын

It’s my therapy.

@darkmistico 3 жыл бұрын

hi dudes and dudettes

@user-cg7tl 2 жыл бұрын

The weed benefit is wrong. It helps with weed control because IT'S EASIER TO WEED EARLY because it's at your own height instead of having to bend over. If it's easy to do, you'll do it! Weeds will also grow a little less, but that's not the main reason. It's because it makes weeding EASIER.

@fitztastico 2 жыл бұрын

Or you could get really lucky like me and snatch a bunch of free cinder blocks from the house next door that was being gutted to make a raised bed at the back of your house 🙌. I'm able to plant bush beans or flowers in the cinder block cavities to attract pollinators 👍

@growitbuildit 2 жыл бұрын

Now that is some good luck right there!

@alphapotato9433 3 жыл бұрын

What if you have insects like CRAZY ? (not the beneficial ones, just all the bad ones.) I was thinking high raised beds for that.

@growitbuildit 3 жыл бұрын

Hi - I'm not sure how it would help with insects. I guess if it was tall enough perhaps it would be less likely for slugs and such. But I really don't know for sure. I've never had insect problems, but I have so much insect life in my adjacent pollinator garden that nothing really gets out of balance.

@crpth1 3 жыл бұрын

Raised beds do absolutely nothing (useful) regarding insects. If such, they create more strain on your crops. Which directly translate into more pest pressure. Not the expected result. I suggest looking into a "No-dig" approach. I believe you're in for a surprise. ;-)