Raised Garden beds are simple build and easy to maintain. You can put one up just about anywhere. They are practical and economical, as well beautiful. And today’s modern gardener has a host of choices to consider when deciding which building material will work best to build them. Here are a few of the most popular ideas.
Cedar
Cedar is probably king among the building materials for raised garden beds. Cedar is a simple material; it’s easy to find and easy to work with. Cedar works well for outdoor garden beds because its naturally rot-resistant, and it’s a hardy wood that can stand up to most any adverse weather condition. Now, at the home center, cedar is sold two ways: first, treated cedar, which has been treated with chemicals that you don’t want seeping into the soil of your garden bed—so that’s out—second, is untreated cedar—that’s what you want. Without a doubt, a garden bed made of cedar is beautiful, an eye-catching centerpiece. But, cedar does have a lifespan—as most things do—and, here in Montana where it’s relatively dry, a cedar bed should hold up for years. But, when it’s done, the boards are obviously biodegradable, and you can recycle them, or just let them break down, organically.
Concrete
Concrete makes an excellent choice for a raised garden bed. Concrete blocks are extremely common, and, like cedar, are relatively inexpensive in comparison to some building materials (pre-made recycled plastic garden beds, for instance). Concrete blocks are stacked easily into place; stack your blocks two stories high and fill the center with a good quality soil mix from Rocky Mountain Compost, and you’re ready to grow. The only drawback to using concrete blocks, is that if you don’t have the blocks anchored, somehow, they can be kicked and moved slightly out of place. One good option is to fill the gaps of the blocks also with the soil, and this tends to keep everything together.
If you have any questions as to which soil mix would work best in your raised garden beds, call Rocky Mountain Compost today.
