Tips for Creating Raised Bed Planters

Raised beds can be as simple as mounding up soil into a deep, wide planting area. Here are a few tips on how to garden with them.

By Joe Lamp'lMore in Outdoors

+ Enlarge Photo

– Shrink Photo

Raised Bed with Decorative Edge Doubles as Seat

How Long and How Wide?

Length is optional and limited primarily to your physical space. Width, on the other hand, is more important. Beds should be wide enough to allow for at least two rows of plants. Three rows is fine as long as you don't make the bed so wide that you can't reach into the center. Plants grow well in beds at least 12 feet long and three feet wide. However, a bed that is four feet wide provides even more planting options.