00:00we all want to garden smarter not harder right this is why many of us choose to garden with raised
00:06beds raised beds provide increased control over garden design and soil quality as well as reduced
00:12weed growth enhanced drainage improved visual appeal and significantly easier access but raised
00:19bed gardening is not something you can dive right into it is quite common to inadvertently commit a
00:25handful of raised bed blunders that might throw a wrench in your gardening plans hi there this is
00:30amy from gardening know-how and i'll admit it i have personal experience with this i wish i had
00:36taken a bit more time to research before diving head first into my project so with my own expertise
00:42and insights gathered from fellow gardeners and gardening know-how experts we've put together a
00:48comprehensive list let's dig into the top five raised bed gardening mistakes you'll want to avoid
00:54the first often overlooked aspect of raised bed gardening is selecting the right location
01:00getting it wrong from the start can lead to countless challenges down the line
01:03let's start with sunlight sunlight is of course crucial to plant growth you'll want to select a
01:09site that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day you may even want to take
01:15note of the sun's path throughout the day and find a location that provides your plants with the light
01:20they need it is also important to take into account the nearby trees and the shade they may create
01:26during various times of the day next is water convenience is key when it comes to watering your
01:32garden ensure your location is close to a water source or within reach of a garden hose this makes
01:38daily maintenance much easier and encourages regular watering which is crucial for healthy plant growth
01:44if you're building beds right atop native garden soil a well-drained location will be essential
01:50in case your chosen spot lacks proper drainage don't worry i delve into specific types of raised bed
01:57systems that can address this issue in the following section consider your own accessibility as well
02:03opt for a location that's easy to reach and work within this can be especially important if you have
02:09mobility issues or anticipate carrying tools and equipment to and from the garden and finally you
02:15have the not so fun task of checking on local regulations and the permits required for building
02:21raised beds in your chosen location it's always a good idea to ensure you're in compliance with any
02:26local ordinances before beginning your project the second common mistake in raised bed gardening involves
02:33selecting the wrong building materials all good things come at a price and it is best to weigh the pros
02:38and cons
02:38of wood metal and any other type of material you may be considering this is where i went wrong
02:44i found a great deal on ready to assemble raised bed kits from my local warehouse club
02:50unfortunately i didn't research the type of wood or the quality
02:53and as you can see now they are not holding up and will need to be replaced
02:57this doesn't mean that wood isn't an excellent option for building raised beds
03:02you have many options to choose from including pressure treated wood
03:05untreated wood and rot resistant wood such as cedar
03:09the choice to use treated lumber in gardening sparks controversy
03:13while it offers durability and longevity there is potential for chemical leaching into the soil
03:18and possibly affecting your crops although the risk of leakage is typically minimal
03:24many gardeners choose to incorporate a barrier between the wood and the soil as a preventive measure
03:30just remember that nearly all wood that's in contact with the ground
03:33treated or not will not fare well in the long run some rot resistant species like cedar and redwood
03:40will certainly last longer but a good practice is always to try to create a barrier of some kind
03:45between the ground and the wood metal is another strong candidate for raised beds often made from
03:51materials like galvanized steel or aluminum metal beds are known for their durability and longevity
03:56not only can they provide a sleek and modern appearance they are also known to be relatively
04:01low maintenance requiring minimal upkeep compared to wood metal beds are also a good choice for those
04:07with wet soil or drainage issues plus the metal construction is also known to deter pests and burrowing
04:14critters protecting your plants from potential damage this is liz the senior editor here at
04:19gardening know-how she recently replaced her entire front yard with metal garden beds and she couldn't
04:25be happier before beginning on her project she wisely opted to have the soil tested the soil analysis
04:31revealed concerning levels of lead leaving her with no alternative but to construct a raised bed garden
04:37above her native soil plus her space was limited and oddly shaped making modular metal raised beds the best
04:44choice you can learn more about the right raised beds for you by visiting gardeningknowhow.com selecting
04:51the right size shape and height for your raised bed garden is a pivotal decision that could significantly
04:56impact your gardening experience any mistakes in the beginning of construction can end up costly in
05:02the end not only will your layout need to allow for efficient use of the allotted space but the size
05:08and shape
05:08of each bed should be tailored to your specific needs and preferences beds that are too low or too
05:14high can be inconvenient to work with and potentially strain your back you'll want to aim for a soil
05:19depth of at least 12 to 24 inches in a raised vegetable garden as that is the minimum space needed
05:25for
05:26good root development in terms of width raised beds are typically created to be around three to four feet
05:32wide this width allows for easy access from either side making it convenient to plant weed and harvest
05:37without stepping on the plants however if you have limited space or want to create a more compact garden
05:43narrower beds can also be effective avoiding the mistake of selecting the wrong soil for your
05:49raised bed is another pivotal decision incorrect soil can result in problems such as inadequate drainage
05:55nutrient deficiencies and reduced yields ultimately impeding the success of your garden providing an exact
06:02soil mix recommendation isn't straightforward as the best choice largely depends on what you plan to grow
06:08it may vary from one situation to another generally starting with a mixture of soil compost and organic
06:15matter is an excellent approach so if the label on the bag indicates garden soil it should be suitable
06:20option correct not exactly garden soil along with compost should be added to existing in ground topsoil to
06:28improve texture but this isn't the best choice for beds that are raised above the soil look for bagged or
06:34bulk soil specifically designed for raised beds these formulated soils provide optimal plant growth
06:40offering a balanced blend of nutrients aeration and moisture retention and lastly avoiding the mistake of
06:47not companion planting in your raised bed garden can significantly benefit your garden's health
06:52and yield companion planting is the art of arranging different plants to encourage mutual growth deter
06:58pests and attract beneficial insects for example planting basil near tomatoes can not only enhance
07:04their flavor but deter common pests as well nasturtiums can deter cucumber beetles and aphids providing natural
07:12protection for your cucumber vines by selecting plant pairs that complement each other's growth and
07:18nutrient needs you can achieve higher yields and healthier crops you'll also want to plant taller crops at the back
07:25to avoid shading shorter ones in the front for more information on companion planting the garden
07:30see the link in the description for a guide on companion planting with herbs and other edible plants
07:37and there you have it the top five mistakes to avoid when gardening with raised beds
07:41by steering clear of these pitfalls you'll be well on your way to a healthy and productive garden
07:47if you found this video informative and helpful please subscribe for more tips from the gardening know-how team
07:53and if you have any additional tips for raised bed gardening please share in the comments below
07:58thank you for watching and happy gardening
