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raised-bed Advice for building Raised Beds

Don't use pressure treated lumber, toxins can leach into soil and uptake into plants.
 
Cedar is great but cost can be an issue.
 
Fir works great...suggest 2-3 coats of mineral oil applied before filling with dirt.
 
18" tall helps to keep from bending over so much when planting, harvesting....great height to sit in a chair and work.
 
Fill with a soil medium that allows good drainage.  Use mulch around plants and cover to help retain moisture during the hot months.
 
 
 
I used concrete blocks.
 
Checking my local Lowes; an 8x816 concrete block is $1.12. A 2x8x8 is $6.97.
 
6 concrete blocks costs less than the lumber and last virtually forever, while the 2x8 may need replaced after several years. Plus, you need hardware; nails, or screws, maybe even corner brackets, for the wood.
 
alkhall said:
I used concrete blocks.
 
Checking my local Lowes; an 8x816 concrete block is $1.12. A 2x8x8 is $6.97.
 
6 concrete blocks costs less than the lumber and last virtually forever, while the 2x8 may need replaced after several years. Plus, you need hardware; nails, or screws, maybe even corner brackets, for the wood.
Click to expand...
how many high did you go?
 
Justosmo said:
how many high did you go?
Click to expand...
 

Only one, more than that would need mortar, which would make expansion or reconfiguration difficult. Also, that would increase the amount of soil required.
 
I generally plant ~30 plants in my 4 foot by 32 foot bed. However, 7.5 inches of rise has, in my opinion, yielded more than acceptable results.
 
I would estimate I harvest somewhere between 2,000-3,000 pods each year from the raised bed.
 
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