1. Loft bed
The simplest raised beds are flat-topped mounds, usually 6 to 8 inches high. They don't require any material other than extra soil.
Introduce additional soil to form beds, or dig three to four inches of soil from paths between beds. If you're introducing additional soil, make sure it's not from an area where soil-borne plant pathogens or contaminants like lead and pesticides are present. Whether you dig the aisle or not, make sure the aisle area around the loft bed is at least 24 inches wide.
Start by determining the dimensions of the raised ground bed. If you can only use one side of the bed, the maximum width should be 2.5 feet. Beds can be up to 5 feet wide if you can access them from both sides. The length and shape is entirely up to you.
To make your own beds, add 4 to 6 inches of finished compost, peat moss, or well-rotted manure to the existing area. Thoroughly until it works into the soil below. Farming in raised beds will not be a normal practice. Shape the tilled soil into a flat mound about 8 inches high, tapering at a 45-degree angle on the sides. Let the soil sit for a week or two before planting.
Avoid stepping on raised beds, which will compact the soil. Remove weeds from the center of the bed with a hoe. Likewise, rely on a hoe to harvest from the center of the garden. Try to keep the sides of the mound intact so your raised bed doesn't slide down the trail.
As the seasons progressed, the soil began to settle, but the mounds remained. Once created, raised beds need only minor remodeling with a rake at the beginning of each season. Organic matter is added to the surface each season as mulch during the growing season or after harvest. Earthworms and other soil organisms carry it into the soil, so no tilling is required.
2. Raised garden beds with supports
Forms a vital barrier between your garden and your lawn, the largest source of perennial weeds, around the edges of raised beds. Framing, whether wood, stone, brick or plastic, can add a neat, complete look. Some gardeners also leave four inches of bare or mulch soil around the bed to make mowing easier.
When deciding on the shape and size to support your loft bed, keep in mind that some edge materials only allow corners. Prepare the soil as before, but place the frame around the bed before raking the soil into shape.
Unlike unsupported beds, you can make supported loft beds wider than 5 feet. The strong wooden sides support wide planks that act as bridges, moving from one part of the garden to another so you can reach the center of the garden without stepping on the soil.
To make a wooden frame, cut a 2"x6" of untreated preservative wood, such as cedar. Railroad ties are not a good choice for a raised bed unless they are extremely weather resistant. Railroad ties treated with creosote are toxic to plants. Wood treated with copper, chromium, and arsenic (CCA) is also harmful to vegetable crops because some arsenic may leach from the wood and enter the plant.
Turn the planks "in" so that if they warp, they bend slightly outward in the middle. Secure the corners with decorative screws. Remove or add soil as needed to ensure the frame is level. Once the frame is in place, sprinkle soil evenly over the top. Now you can plant directly next to your bed. You'll have more room to grow than with a raised ground bed in the same area, since you don't have to maintain sloping sides.
3. Container raised garden beds
Raised beds with 10-inch to 12-inch walls provide more protection for plants in high-traffic areas near sidewalks. In paved areas where reflected heat can stress the plants, raising the bed a foot or two can reduce heat. High wall beds maximize physical accessibility and reduce maintenance. 27 inches is a comfortable working height for most wheelchair users, but you can customize the bed to any height. Choose a width that matches your arm's reach.
To make a 27" tall planter, place one 2" x 4" and three 2" x 8" planks horizontally and one 2" x 4" plank vertically for reinforcement, especially at the corners. Build the sides first, then turn the boards again to get the "heartwood." Use decorative screws to fasten the vertical stiffeners and secure the corners. You can make seat supports by laying a 1"x4" board flat on top of the frame, extending it out to the sides. with flowerpot
Filled with a mixture of soil and organic matter, it grows 2 to 4 inches per year as the soil settles and ages. Remember that even large containers will require additional watering.
