How To Make A Raised Vegetable Garden

It seems more and more people are growing food at their homes. It is easy to understand why with both the price of food rising and the manipulation of food by large industries. Who doesn't want wholesome food for cheaper than you can pay at the store. 

What most people are finding out is it is pretty easy to grow food to supplement your regular grocery shopping. Growing your own food has the added benefit of getting your household excited about eating vegetables!

---

Raised Vegetable Garden Building Supplies

For a basic raised vegetable garden, you will need: 

• 2-3/4" outdoor wood screws
  
• Drill
  
• Power saw
  
• three treated 2x10x8 boards
  
• one treated 2x4 or four wood spikes
  
• 25 cubic feet of garden bed builder soil
  
• 1 cubic foot of composted cow manure
  
• 1 cubic foot of composted chicken manure
  
• 1 cubic foot of mushroom compost
  
• 1 cubic foot of compost with alfalfa and humate
  
• seeds
  

• First you will need to cut one of the 2x10x8 boards. Layout the two uncut 2x10x8 boards parallel to one another four feet apart with the two 2x10x4 on both ends making a box. 
  
• Next cut the four 10" length sections from the 2x4. cut the bottom of each 10" segment to a pointed angle. Place the spikes on the flat on the ground and lay the cut 2x10x4 on top flush with the edges and a little lower than the top of what will be the side wall of the box. Use two screws to fasten each spike to the wall.
  

• When all spikes are fastened, lined up the remaining 2x10x8 and mark where the screws will need to be. Lay down the 2x10x8s and partially drill the screws so they are firmly in the wood.
  
• Next, line them back up with the ends of the box and finish drilling the holes.
  
• You may also want to screw the sides of the box to the spikes as well.
  

• Bring the completed box to a very sunny area of your yard with access to water and place it as you like. Either safely drop the box or stand on the corners until the spikes drive into the ground. You may also use a soft mallet.
  
• Remove the grass and till the dirt so the soil is loosened.
  

• Pour in the vegetable soil mix. Next add composted manures and other soil amendments. Work the soil amendments into the other soil and mix well. 
• Form two mounds along the length of the box divided at the center. Flatten the tops of the mounds and plant your seeds accordingly.

• You can add plants such as marigolds, sage, etc. to deter insects from your vegetables. 
  
• Add some slow release fertilizer to help your plants along the way. 
  
• Water your vegetable garden regularly and you should be able to eat what you grow in no time, enjoy!
  

GreenSeasons Homegrown Food
Vegetable Gardens, Chicken Coops, and Fruit Trees

GreenSeasons installs and maintains vegetable gardens, chicken coops and fruit trees in the greater Baton Rouge, greater New Orleans, Slidell, Prairieville, Walker, Denham Springs, Gonzales, Baker, Zachary, Hammond and Covington areas. If you want to eat what you grow, just click here for a free quote  and we will give you a call. 

If you would simply like some advice on homegrown food, please contact us and we will be more than happy to help.