The Dude's Homestead Recipe for a Raised Bed

Spring is springing around @run-a-muck-farms and it's really past time to get my gardens all ready to grow some delicious and healthy foods. Now, I am going to preface this article and say that I am absolutely NOT an expert at anything I am doing around the homestead, but I have grown gardens in the past and what I am going to share with you is my little recipe for a raised garden bed that works for me.

It All Starts With A Shell

To grow in a raised bed, you need a shell. I chose some rectangular galvanized steel frames that I picked up from Amazon for like $55 for a pair. It was a good deal, so I bought 3 sets for a total of six raised beds in this garden. I got all the frames built and set and now I am laying boxes under them to stop the weeds and give a bit of moisture retention.

Next Up, The Filler Layer 1

The first layer I put down is generally just some good old yard waste, and this time of year after everything has fallen for winter, we have absolutely no shortage of pine straw, leaves, and such to use. I cut down a huge bush in the front yard last week, and this stuff was all around and under it. For the first layer I used 2 big trash cans full of yard waste.

Next Layer, Home Grown Compost

Next layer, I sprinkled a few shovels full of some of my compost that I have been working the last year since I moved to the homestead. I didn't use a bunch because I need enough to spread around to the other beds.

I have a nice pile of compost going, but some of it still needs some time to break down before it is really great to use on the top layers, that is why I am using it in the middle of my yard waste layers, which makes up the next layer...

Another Layer of Yard Waste

This just adds a bit more filler to the box. These thicker pieces of straw, leaves, etc, will also help aerate the bottom layers of dirt, giving roots the space to grow. At least that is the idea. That and I only have so much top soil and bagged compost to use for all the beds, haha.

Now For The Top Layers

After I finish spreading that last layer of yard waste, it's time for the bagged compost-manure mixture from good ole Lowes, or whatever place you shop for your gardening needs. I used 2 bags of this compost mixture for this layer. Basically one bag per side of the dividers. Now it's starting to look more like a garden bed!

Next Layer, Top Soil

Now for two bags of top soil on the next layer. A bag per side of the dividers should do the trick for this layer. I use this Evergreen top soil because it is actually made locally, that and it's pretty cheap. I like supporting local businesses, even when buying from the big box stores, lol. But here is where it's starting to look like something!

Last Layer, Top Soil - Compost Mixture

Last layer I use is a mix of the top soil and the compost-manure mixture. This is the topper of the bed that the seeds will be planted into. You can use just one bag of each, or go ahead and double up on the mixture if you feel like you need to, or if you are looking to top off the box. I am going to actually wait until we have our next set of rain storms to come through in a couple of days so that I can see any compression and then go from there. I am trying to get an idea of how many bags I will need from here on for these beds, so this will be a good way to text and do the math. Because it's not looking like I got enough dirt for all 6 beds, so I'll have to make another trip to the store.

Well that's my little homestead post for the day. I hope you learned something about building a raised garden bed, and how I layer mine up. Everyone has their own way of doing things, so if you have a 'better' way, I would love to hear it in the comments!

Until next time...

Be cool, be real, and always abide with you my dudes!

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