Ideas for building out your garden beds…
Concrete blocks are a great way to go, because you can line them up in many different ways, you could create a “U” or “L” shaped design and as and added bonus you can plant smaller crops, such as herbs in the block openings too. You’d probably need about 20 of them at least to get a viable layout going on, but the versatility of these cinderblocks gives you many possibilites.
Totes in a Row
When I first started gardening (circa 2015, I think…), I sought out a few large Rubbermaid totes …I went to thrift stores and got a few on the cheap that were just the right size – 18 gal – the same size I happened to use for my cats’ litter boxes. That was a great idea as I didn’t need to worry about the lids being missing , as i didn’t need them for this project ! All I did was to use my drill for a few drainage holes in the bottom, and the rest was easy.
Image credit: ohaquafina11
I thought of this as “Container gardening” but when you have enough of these totes lined up, surprise, surprise, you really have a raised bed! A good approach if you’re short on space, as you could line them up anywhere. You could layer up on the materials under the soil, (the author recommends sticks over gravel) and build out from there (something I didn’t do, that I should have.) Doesn’t have to be 18 gal (that’s just the ideal size) I planted 2 of each veggie in each tote, you can do the same., be sure you plant the same or companion plants together, or those that will cross pollinate.
Old Tires
Some people use old tires as planters, and they will even spray paint them too, I’m not sure i would use these for my own crops as old tires may leach out chemicals into the soil that might not be good for vegetable crops you’ll eventually harvest, SO if you want you could save these for your flowers or non edibles instead.
Kiddie Pools
Gotta love this one….Kiddie pools can be repurposed into just about anything. Mine eventually became a sandbox – good times. And all you’d need to do is put some drainage holes into the bottom. You may want to use a climbing guide for some types of crops, though, if they are the kind that get very tall or viney.
Use Sheet metal to Build a Structure for beds
Sheet metal could serve you well as a garden bed substrate with the right reinforcements – check out what this guy did, I like the “C” shape, and the use of drain pipes, which the author says is to prevent being scratched by the metal edges. Worth looking into if you are into “industrial chic”.
Image credit: Image by Dan Marshall
Tiered Designs
You could easily get more crop plants into less space if you took the tiered, stacked approach, and produce a striking conversation piece and curb appeal at the same time. It could be a square, pyramid, triangle.
I Saved the Best For Last…Repurpose a Race Car into a Garden Bed?
Or should I call it a “car-den bed” LOL…. For all you guys out there, what do you think of this, a kids’ toy race car, or young kid’s bed, transformed into a real garden bed? Pretty spiffy right?? I’m not sure how he worked out the drainage part of things, but…Love it! Now that’s using your noodle!
Image credit: izzyinst
You could take this approach to an object you long away stored away that your children outgrew or another thing that’s lost its use, could you repurposed it into a garden bed like this? If it’s deep enough and can be drilled, (very important, just lining the bottom with gravel doesn’t work very well and can lead to waterlogging and bottom end rot in plants. Learned that the hard way with one container I did that with.) and hold soil…think about it.And consider it for this very purpose.
So I hope you enjoyed this list and contributions, which one of these was your favorite?
