Raised garden beds are excellent to grow vegetables in, however, finding inexpensive and toxin-free materials can be a real challenge. You’re probably thinking about using a raised bed liner to create a safe barrier, and you’re onto something there!
I’ve been experimenting with different raised bed materials for years and have finally landed on the perfect combination of durability + low cost + non-toxic materials.
In this article, I’ll share my easy and fairly inexpensive method for building a raised garden bed with a durable, non-toxic liner. All of these materials can be easily found at your local building supply store.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to products (including Amazon). I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my link, at no additional cost to you! Regardless, I only link to products that I personally use on our homestead or believe in.
Lining your garden bed provides a number of benefits that can significantly improve the health and productivity of your plants A proper liner acts as a barrier to retain moisture, prevent weed growth, and protect your plants’ roots While various liner options exist, landscape fabric is generally the best choice for most garden beds.
Lining your bed may seem complicated but it’s actually a straightforward process if you understand the basics. In this complete guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to properly line garden beds for optimal plant growth.
Why Line a Garden Bed?
There are several key reasons why lining your beds is highly recommended:
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Retains moisture – The liner prevents water seepage out of the bottom and sides of the bed. This helps maintain an even level of moisture in the soil.
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Inhibits weed growth – Weed seeds in the ground below can poke up into an unlined bed. The liner blocks sunlight needed for them to sprout.
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Protects roots – Beds without liners can become compacted over time. This restricts root growth. Liners keep soil loose.
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Prevents erosion – During watering, soil can wash out from bed edges without a liner. Liners contain the soil.
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Deters pests – Underground pests like gophers are blocked from burrowing up into the bed.
So in short, a proper liner optimizes moisture, blocks weeds/pests, and fosters healthy root systems for your plants.
What to Use to Line Garden Beds
You have two main options when choosing a liner – fabric or plastic:
Landscape Fabric
This woven or non-woven, porous fabric is specially designed for lining garden beds. The benefits are:
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Allows air, water and nutrients to pass through to plant roots.
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Keeps soil loose for easy root spread and growth.
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Blocks weed seeds from sprouting while allowing drainage.
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Helps maintain even soil moisture levels.
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Allows helpful organisms to move in and out of soil.
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Available in various widths to fit any size bed. Easy to cut to length.
Plastic Sheeting
Plastic tarps or sheets also work but have some disadvantages:
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Can overly retain moisture leading to soggy soil.
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Restricts air and nutrient flow needed by plant roots.
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Prevents entry of beneficial insects and worms from ground.
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Is not as durable long-term compared to landscape fabric.
For most gardens, landscape fabric is the best choice. But plastic may work well in certain situations.
How to Line a Bed with Landscape Fabric
Lining a bed with fabric is a simple process:
Gather Materials
- Landscape fabric cut to fit bed
- Scissors or utility knife
- Staple gun with 1/2″ staples
- Flat shovel
Cut Fabric to Length
- Lay fabric along bed edge. Allow 12″ excess to pull taut.
- Cut fabric to match bed length using scissors or utility knife.
Secure Fabric In Place
- Fold excess 12″ of fabric over inner bed edges.
- Use staple gun to secure folded over portion every 6-12 inches.
- Staple tightly from end-to-end to keep fabric taught.
Cover Outer Edges with Soil
- Lay remaining fabric flat across the bottom of the bed.
- Use shovel to cover outer fabric edges with 2-3 inches of soil.
The bed is now lined and ready for filling with soil and planting! Proper lining improves drainage, deters weeds/pests, and encourages healthy root development.
Extra Tips for Lining Beds Like a Pro
Here are some additional professional tips:
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Overlap seams by 6 inches and double-staple for maximum durability.
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For wooden beds, staple to inner upper frames rather than outer boards for easy board replacement later.
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In wet areas, add a layer of hardware cloth below fabric for reinforcement.
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Make x-shaped slits when planting transplants to thread roots through fabric openings.
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Add 2-3 inch gravel layer below fabric in problem drainage areas. Keeps soil and gravel layers separate.
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Use bricks/pavers on fabric for garden pathways that won’t compress planted bed soil.
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When direct seeding, use hoe to open/close small fabric slits to expose only soil needed for seeds.
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For quick temporary beds, old cotton sheets or burlap can work well too while being biodegradable.
Key Considerations When Lining Beds
Here are some other important factors to keep in mind:
Location
Choose a level, sunny spot for best results. Remove any debris/grass before installing lined beds.
Size
Limit bed width to 4 feet for easy access to the center from both sides without stepping in bed. Length depends on layout.
Materials
Use untreated, non-toxic wood like cedar or redwood to allow beds to warm up quickly. This benefits plants like herbs. Avoid treated lumber which can leach chemicals.
Drainage
Include a gravel layer underneath or drill drainage holes in the base every 12 inches if bed is not directly on ground. This prevents waterlogging.
Weed Control
Lay down cardboard or mulch before lining beds to block existing weeds. Be vigilant about removing new weed growth after lining and planting.
Seasonal Care
Replenish mulch regularly for continued weed prevention. Monitor drainage before rains. Clear out dead plants at season end and add fresh compost.
Installing a properly lined garden bed takes some planning and preparation but is easy to accomplish. The ideal liner choice for most beds is landscape fabric. This provides excellent moisture retention, weed control and root protection while still allowing air and water flow. Combined with good location, size, materials, and seasonal care, a lined raised bed will provide the ideal growing environment for your plants to thrive.
Keeps dirt in place
If you are using logs or bricks that don’t seal your garden space quite as well, adding a liner can help keep the dirt in place. This will save you money and work in the long run by not needing to replace garden soil year after year!
Added soil puts a lot of pressure on the sides of your raised bed. Adding a raised bed liner can add extra support and rigidity, increasing the lifespan of your raised bed. This is especially helpful if you are using thinner or flexible materials.
A raised bed liner also helps moderate temperature fluctuations within your garden bed. Here in the upper midwest, our temperatures can vary widely, so this is a plus! Plants are hardy and can handle a lot, but keeping the soil at a consistent temperature certainly helps.
What Should I Line My Raised Bed With?
Now here’s my secret weapon: cedar decking! While my favorite raised bed material is 2”x10” cedar boards because cedar is naturally rot-resistant and doesn’t need a liner, these boards are VERY expensive. Just one 8 foot 2”x10” board is $76. Eek!
So, my new favorite option is utilizing 2″x10″ cedar-tone, pressure-treated lumber and then lining it with inexpensive, thin, cedar decking! This way, we are utilizing materials that have a long lifespan while keeping the toxins out of your food, AND without breaking the bank! What a deal!
Harrod Horticultural Wooden Raised Beds & Liners
FAQ
What should I line my garden bed with?
Cardboard and compost, some hay on top of that. Triple mix would be fine which most landscape places sell.
Is it worth lining raised beds?
It’s a good idea to line the bed, though you don’t have to. The main reason I would line a raised bed is to keep the soil from washing out, which it will inevitably do, because all raised beds have to have drainage. When water drains, if there’s no liner, the some of the soil will wash out too.
What is the best thing to line a planter box with?
Plastic sheeting works well to protect the wood. For a cheaper alternative, you could use an empty compost bag, just cut it open and staple the bag to the inside of the box. Treating the wood with a sealant, waterproof paint, or wood preservative will protect wooden planters from rotting.
How to line up a garden bed?
Simply grab your garden hose and use it to outline your ideal garden bed on your lawn. This method is helpful if you’re creating curves and arches in your flower beds. If no rain occurs, marks from the hose will be left in the grass, so you can easily remove the hose and start digging around the marks.
How do you line a raised garden bed?
When lining a raised garden bed, it’s crucial to consider the location, design, and materials. These first steps set the stage for a flourishing garden. I always remind myself that sunlight is vital for my garden’s success. Raised garden beds need a level spot with ample sunlight—at least six hours a day is ideal.
Should you line your garden beds?
A liner protects the wood. So in short, lining your beds makes them much more efficient and productive for growing plants! If you want to line your garden beds, you can either use fabric or plastic: This is a porous, woven or non-woven fabric sold at gardening stores for lining beds. The benefits are:
Can You line raised garden beds with landscape fabric?
So unless you need an ultra-budget option, landscape fabric is generally the best choice for lining raised garden beds. Lining your raised beds with landscape fabric is a simple process: Lay fabric roll out along bed edge. Allow 12″ excess to account for pull and stapling. Cut fabric to match length of your bed using scissors or utility knife.
Do you need a garden liner for a raised garden bed?
Lining a raised garden bed is vital for ensuring weed suppression and proper water drainage while optimizing plant growth. By following our step-by-step guide, you can successfully line your raised garden bed using a gardening liner.
How do I set up a raised garden bed?
One crucial step in setting up a raised garden bed is lining it properly. Lining prevents weeds and invasive roots from infiltrating the soil while also assisting with water drainage. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through all the necessary steps to line your raised garden bed effectively.
Can you use plastic as a lining for a raised garden bed?
Lining a raised garden bed has multiple benefits. It helps suppress weed growth, prevents soil erosion, and retains moisture in the soil. Lining also adds a layer of protection against pests and keeps the bed looking neat and organized. Can I Use Plastic As A Lining For My Raised Garden Bed? Yes, you can for your raised garden bed.