Growing season is creeping nearer, and we all are looking at our garden beds from last year in the harsh light of winters lack of plant cover…and possible being disappointed by their condition. Have you considered using raised beds this year? Raised beds are great for veggies and herbs, and can be the perfect solution for flower beds when the soil is poor, or when a gardener just needs an easier way to maintain their garden space. Easy to put together, raised beds are nothing more than a box with no bottom, filled with good garden soil. Plants that are grown in raised beds are healthier, weeds are easier to control, and watering and fertilizing is concentrated right where you need it. Gardeners that have trouble bending over find raised beds easier to work in, and you can make them any height that works for you. Plus, they just keep the garden neat! If you want to try raised garden beds this year, check out these tutorials for DIY raised garden beds. Our featured project, above – Gardenista shows us a homeowner with a brilliant idea – using water troughs as raised beds! I love this because it looks like art in the garden, yet tall enough to make working the beds easy for an older gardener, or someone like me who has trouble with her knees… Love this!

This raised bed has minimal side, but it’s an easy way to organize the vegetable patch. They used simple lengths of re-purposed steel rods as edging.

 

Just need a basic raised bed tutorial? This Old House shows you how…

 

Project Alicia created this unique raised bed from tin roofing and some lumber… They give complete directions on how they made it, and their son helped!

 

I Save A 2 Z created this budget friendly raised bed from cinder blocks. I like how they lined the bottom with cardboard to prevent weeds from growing up into the bed.

 

Life on the Balcony created this project that is a cross between a raised bed and a garden container… but it serves the raised bed purpose, and you have to love the vintage charm it gives the garden. Heres how to create a wine box raised garden bed.

 

Lastly, I’m throwing this one in because we love it for inspiring small gardens to having raised beds as well!

Create a basic garden bed, or a unique DIY raised garden bed like the ones shown here… Think of how much healthier you could eat, for less! (Oh, and EASIER!)