FAQ

FAQ

Not sure about where to start? I've covered some of the basics by answering a few questions below. 

What are some of the benefits of a raised garden?

Great question, I can definitely help you with that. There are many benefits, one of them being the ergonomics. Does anyone really like crawling around on the ground? The 16.5" height is a comfortable height for sitting; you can sit on the edge, flip a pail upside down and sit on that, or place a plank across two parallel beds to use as a makeshift seat. 

Another huge advantage to raised gardening is that it eliminates a lot of weeding and keeps nutrients for the plants. The spread of weeds across ground-level gardens allows them to suck out the nutrients from the same soil that your plants are in. A raised garden allows you to put wood mulch down on the paths between the planters, keeping the weeds out and the mud off your feet. The only weeding you'll need to keep an eye on is in the actual garden bed, not all the walking paths between the rows. 

I think it's safe to say that most residential yards do not have 12" of rich topsoil suitable for gardening. And are you really in the mood to dig out the 8" of clay that's down there first?  Raised gardens allow you to grow a great growing space without that hassle. Perhaps the existing ground you have is too rocky, has poor drainage, or contains too many tree roots. This is why raised gardens are beneficial. Lay down a high quality landscape fabric and install your planter over top of all that. 

What type of wood do you recommend I use?

Cedar is definitely my first choice because of its beautiful color and longevity. However, demand for cedar in recent years has driven the price to insane levels. A great alternative would be to use regular untreated spruce. I'm not a fan of the brown treated lumber for aesthetic reasons - it doesn't fade into a gorgeous silvery grey like the regular spruce does. 

What is a good size for a raised garden bed?

I find that 36'-42" is a good width for a garden bed. Any wider than that and it's going to make it difficult to reach to the center. The length depends mainly on the layout and aesthetic, but wouldn't recommend anything longer than 12'.  A common length is 8', mainly because it's a standard length for lumber and you'd only require one set of side brackets. 

How high should i make it?

However high you want! In terms of how much dirt you need to grow, 16.5" is plenty to grow almost anything. The 22" height is definitely the most popular.  One thing to keep in mind about height is that the higher you make it, the narrower you should make it. As you go higher, the force of the dirt pushing out on the sides increases, requiring more structural supports. 

Do I really need side brackets?

It is highly recommended. They are essential to keep your planter from getting destroyed by the force of the dirt pushing outward on the sides. Placing them every 3-4 feet is a good guideline when planning your growing space. Also keep in mind that you'll want them spaced closer together on a 27.5" high planter than on a 16.5" high planter.  

I have a 27.5" high kit, do I fill it all up with dirt? 

You can, but it's not necessary. One of the best things to do is to find logs, or big chucks of wood, and other organic matter such as leaves, and lay them down in the bottom first. Not only does this reduce the amount of dirt required, it also adds rich nutrients to the soil as it slowly decays. If you don't have anything like that, I'd suggest to place some upside down pails in the bottom first to fill the void. This will also help reduce the force of the dirt pushing on the sides of the planter. 

Should I put a finish on the wood?

If it was me, I wouldn't. I love the color and patina of naturally weathered wood, even spruce! The blond turns into a beautiful silvery grey and looks incredible when contrasted with the 'modern grey' color option. I have used some of the 'best' oil finishes on previous wood planters to try and keep that color but in the end the sun always wins.

Do you have caps for the corners?

Not yet. A good alternative is to cap the perimeter of the planter in a 1x4, and mitre the corners where the boards meet. This will give it a clean look until I get caps available. 

I am making some planters that don't use 2x6's. Can you provide custom lengths for my project?

Yes, absolutely. Send me an email with the length and quantity that you require, and I'll provide a quote. 

I have a landscaping company, can I get a contractor's discount?

Definitely. Send me an email with proof of your company and I'll get a discount code for you.