I'm relatively new to vegetable gardening and I'm planning to build a couple of 4x6 raised garden beds that are 2 feet tall this weekend. I know that filling these beds will require a lot of soil, and I'm worried about putting too much stress on the frame. I've read that there are options for fillers at the bottom of the beds. My initial idea includes using a layer of cardboard, then placing some cinder blocks on top, followed by dirt I've dug from my clay-heavy yard, a layer of brush/branches/leaves, and finally topping it off with garden soil. Is this a good approach? What other budget-friendly suggestions do you have? I can probably source free cinder blocks and pallets for the build, but I'm unsure if using wood as filler is advisable. Would it be better to just make the beds 1 foot high instead? I currently have a pre-existing garden box that is 3 feet high, and it seems to be fine, but I'm curious if it's filled completely with soil.
1 Answer
Definitely steer clear of using cinder blocks or gravel as filler! Instead, consider filling your beds with sticks and small logs, mixed with leaves and grass clippings. These materials gradually break down and enrich the soil while allowing beneficial organisms to thrive. Logs can help retain moisture too, soaking up water during heavy rain and then releasing it back during dry spells. Just be cautious with how much filler you add since your bed is only 2 feet tall. Ideally, aim for 12 to 16 inches of actual soil at the top to support larger plant roots.
Great point! I didn't think about how sticks will compact. I have some trees I need to take down anyway, so using logs sounds like a win-win.