Raised garden beds are a great way to create more planting space and improve your gardening experience. The elevated design helps improve drainage, reduces weed pressure and makes tending to plants easier without having to bend down as much. King Bird offers a quality line of raised garden bed kits that are modular and easy to put together yourself.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about choosing, assembling, and using King Bird raised beds to maximize your gardening yields.
An Overview of King Bird’s Raised Garden Beds
King Bird’s raised garden bed frames are constructed from thick 12 gauge galvanized steel. The pieces connect together securely using nuts and bolts without requiring any special tools.
Key features of their raised beds include
- Durable steel construction prevents rotting, cracks, and insect damage.
- Rust-resistant with a multi-layer galvanized paint finish.
- Available in different sizes from 3’x6′ up to 4’x8′.
- Double-reinforced side panels provide stability and prevent bulging.
- Vertical stripe design improves load bearing strength.
- Assembly takes only 10-15 minutes.
- Provides up to 18 inches of soil depth for roots.
- 2 year warranty backs the quality.
The simple DIY nature, sturdy steel makeup, and affordability make King Bird one of the top choices for raised garden beds.
Helpful Planning Tips Before Purchasing
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Measure the space where you want to place the raised bed. Make sure to leave enough room for walking aisles on all sides.
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Select a size that works for your available space and desired planting capacity. King Bird’s 3’x6′ option offers 18 sq. ft. while the 4’x8′ provides 32 sq. ft.
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Calculate the cubic feet to determine how much soil mix you’ll need to fill the bed’s depth.
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Pick a material and color that suits your landscape. King Bird offers jade green and charcoal grey hues.
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Factor in additional costs such as soil, fertilizer, tools, plants and irrigation if needed.
What Comes In the Box?
Once your new King Bird raised garden bed arrives, here’s an overview of what’s included:
- Side panels, corner supports, and connector bars that comprise the frame.
- Hardware pack with nuts, bolts, washers, and end caps.
- Comprehensive installation instructions.
- 8 plant ID tags and 2 pairs of gloves as free gifts.
Before assembly, unpack all the materials and components so you understand how the pieces fit together. Refer often to the instructions manual.
Step-by-Step Assembly Instructions
Constructing the King Bird raised bed is a simple process that only requires a few tools like a wrench, hammer, and shovel. Just follow these step-by-step instructions:
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Layout the four side panels in the desired location and orientation for your raised bed.
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Attach the corner support brackets onto each panel if they are not already connected.
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Take two short connector bars and insert them into the open channels on two adjoining side panels.
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Add the long connector bars into the open ends to join all four panels into a square or rectangular shape.
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Slide bolts through the holes between each connector bar and side panel. Loosely secure with a washer and nut.
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Tighten down all hardware securely once the full frame is assembled. Go back and tighten a second time.
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Slide the end caps into the exposed ends of any connector bars to finish it off.
And that’s it – you officially have a raised garden bed frame! Total assembly time is usually under 30 minutes.
Filling Raised Beds with Quality Soil
Now that the sturdy frame is set up, it’s time to load it up with nutrient-rich soil for your plants to thrive in. Here are some tips:
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Use a blend of compost, organic matter like peat moss, and loose top soil.
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For vegetables, add balanced fertilizer into the soil mix.
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Load soil in 4-6 inch layers, watering each layer as you go to prevent settling.
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Shovel and smooth out soil, distributing it evenly including the corners.
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Tamp down each layer of soil to maximize stability and density.
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Leave 1-2 inches of space below the rim to hold in mulch and water.
Loading up your King Bird raised bed with high quality soil ensures your plants get the nutrition, drainage, and root support they need.
Growing Tips for Maximizing Your Raised Garden Bed
Once assembled and filled, your King Bird raised bed offers a blank canvas to grow vegetables, herbs, flowers and more! Follow these simple tips:
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Sow seeds or transplant starters for crops suited to the season and climate.
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Use trellises, cages, and supports to grow vertically to maximize space.
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Practice companion planting by intermixing plants that thrive together.
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Add 2-3 inches of organic mulch on top of the soil to retain moisture.
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Water beds 1-2 times per week if it doesn’t rain. Use drip irrigation to target roots.
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Side dress growing plants with a balanced fertilizer or compost mid-season.
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Monitor for pests and diseases, removing them quickly by hand to prevent spreading.
With the proper care, your raised bed will yield a productive harvest! Be sure to observe and adapt your methods each season.
Troubleshooting Common Raised Garden Bed Issues
While raised beds make gardening easier, you may encounter occasional problems. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
Soil pulling away from sides
- Add more soil, pack it down tightly and water thoroughly.
Frame bowing or bulging
- Check that corner supports are properly installed. Loosen and re-tighten bolts.
Nutrient deficiencies
- Test soil pH. Amend soil with compost. Fertilize plants.
Pests like aphids or cabbage worms
- Manually remove visible insects. Use row covers as barrier. Apply organic pest control.
Weeds poking through soil
- Add 3-4 inches mulch on top of soil. Pull weeds when young.
Enjoy Years of Successful Gardening in Raised Beds
When assembled properly and cared for over time, King Bird’s steel raised garden beds will provide many seasons of productive planting. The quality materials withstand weathering while the smart design prevents sagging and bowing.
If you follow this guide for constructing and filling your new raised bed, you’ll be growing gorgeous flowers and bountiful vegetables in no time! Be sure to refer back to the troubleshooting tips if any problems arise. Most importantly, have fun planning out your dream garden and tending to your plants.
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Review: KING BIRD Raised Garden Bed 68″x 36″x 12″ Galvanized Steel Metal Outdoor Garden Planter Box
FAQ
Do you put anything in the bottom of a raised garden bed?
You can line the bottom of your raised garden bed with cardboard and newspaper to deter pests and weeds.
How many bags of soil do I need for a 4×8 raised bed?
- Measure the width, length, and height of your bed in feet
- Multiply the three measurements together to get the total cubic feet of soil needed
- Divide the total cubic feet by 27 to get the estimated cubic yards of soil needed
What vegetables should not be grown in a raised bed?
- Corn: Competes with tomatoes for nutrients when planted close together
- Potatoes: Can impact the growth cycle of tomatoes, which are planted later in the season
- Squash: Can get too large and take up too much space in a raised bed
- Mint: Can spread out above and underground, pushing out younger plants
- Fruit canes: Might not be ideal for raised beds
- Sprawling crops: Might not be ideal for raised beds
- Invasive herbs: Might not be ideal for raised beds
- Crops with large root systems: Might not be ideal for raised beds
Should I put rocks in the bottom of my raised garden bed?
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Poor drainage:Contrary to popular belief, rocks can actually impede drainage by trapping water between them, leading to soggy soil conditions.
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Reduced soil volume:Adding rocks takes up space that could be used for soil, limiting root growth for your plants.
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Difficult soil management:It becomes harder to amend or add nutrients to the soil if rocks are present at the bottom.
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No actual benefit:Well-structured soil with organic matter provides sufficient drainage without the need for rocks.