Build the Ultimate Walk-In Garden Bed for Your Backyard

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Robby

A walk-in garden bed is the perfect way to create a beautiful and functional growing space in your backyard. Unlike traditional gardens, walk-in beds allow easy access from all sides so you don’t have to reach across the entire bed to tend to your plants. Walk-in garden beds are also raised off the ground, reducing back strain from bending over and improving drainage.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to design and build the ultimate DIY walk-in raised garden bed from scratch.

Benefits of a Walk-In Garden Bed

There are many advantages to using a walk-in raised garden bed:

  • Easier access to plants from any side without stepping on the soil
  • Reduced back strain since the bed is elevated
  • Improved drainage from raised design
  • Keep out pests like rabbits with built-in fencing
  • Extend growing season with colder-frame covers
  • Customizable shape and size to fit your space

Planning Your Walk-In Garden Bed

When designing your walk-in garden bed, consider the following

  • Location – Pick a sunny spot close to a water source. Ensure good drainage.
  • Size & Shape – Consider how much you want to plant and what shape fits your space best. Rectangular and square beds are most common.
  • Height – Standard height is 18-24 inches tall. Shorter for wheelchair access.
  • Materials – Rot-resistant wood like cedar or pine. Avoid treated lumber.
  • Frame – Sturdy 4×4 posts make good corner supports.
  • Pathways – Incorporate stepping stones or gravel paths for interior access.
  • Irrigation – Add soaker hoses or drip irrigation inside the bed.
  • Other features – Attach trellises for climbing plants. Add cold frames.

Sketch out a few layout options to visualize what will work best. Scale drawings are helpful.

Building a Walk-In Garden Bed

Now let’s go through the key steps to build your walk-in raised garden bed

1. Assemble the Frame

  • Cut 4×4 posts to the desired height using a miter or circular saw.
  • Cut 2×6 boards to connect the corner posts together. This forms the frame.
  • Attach boards to posts using 3″ deck screws or lag bolts.
  • Check corners for square and level the top using shims if needed.

2. Add Fencing (Optional)

  • To keep out small pests, attach wire fencing with staples to the inside of the frame. Use hardware cloth or chicken wire.

3. Build the Base

  • Cut 2×6 or 2×8 boards to make a base that sits inside the frame.
  • Space boards equally no more than 16″ apart for drainage.
  • Screw base boards to frame from underside using 3″ deck screws.

4. Create Pathways

  • For interior access, lay down bricks, pavers, gravel or mulch between the base boards.
  • Pathways 12-18″ wide allow easy reach to the center. Mark spots with stakes first.

5. Add Finishing Touches

  • Line the inside with landscape fabric to prevent soil from washing out.
  • Attach trellises or cold frame covers if desired.
  • Seal all wood with an exterior stain to protect from weathering.

Once constructed, fill your framed garden bed with high quality planting mix up to 2-3 inches from the top Then get planting! Amendment with compost or manure will enrich the soil further Installing drip irrigation inside the bed will make watering simple.

Customizing Your Walk-In Garden Bed

The great thing about building your own walk-in garden bed is you can customize it to suit your space and needs. Here are some options to consider:

  • Add wheels to make it portable
  • Include deep pockets for potato growing
  • Attach window boxes to grow herbs
  • Build cold frames for heat-loving plants
  • Make tiered beds for better drainage
  • Add arches or trellises for climbing plants
  • Incorporate automatic watering and lights

Whether you want it purely functional or decked out, there are endless possibilities to make your walk-in garden bed unique. Start with a simple design and add enhancements later as desired.

##Conclusion

Creating an elevated walk-in garden bed opens up a whole new world of gardening possibilities. You’ll gain easy access to plants without compacting soil, reduce back strain, and can customize it exactly as you want. Plus it delivers an attractive backdrop to any yard.

We’ve covered the essential steps from planning dimensions to assembling the frame, adding fencing, building the base, incorporating pathways and sealing the wood. Feel free to give your walk-in garden bed a unique twist. With proper care, your hand-built raised garden will provide many years of beautiful and bountiful harvests!

walk in garden bed

Garden in a Box with Deer Fence 8×12 Assembly

FAQ

What vegetables should not be grown in a raised bed?

A list of plants not to grow in your raised beds:
  • Potatoes.
  • Asparagus.
  • Artichokes.
  • Rhubarb.
  • Corn.
  • Wheat.
  • Rice.
  • Winter Squash.

What do I put in the bottom of a raised garden bed?

Gravel or finely broken rock can be put in the bottom if drainage is a possible problem but under most circumstances it’s not needed. Sometimes material like that is used to bulk out the bed. Using waste rock is cheaper than filling the entire bed with soil as most veggies, etc.

What is a cheap alternative to garden beds?

Raised Beds Alternatives to Save Time, Money, and Space
  • Plastic Containers. Plastic pots and planters are typically lightweight and inexpensive, and they’re found in a range of diameters and depths. …
  • Resin Containers. …
  • Terra Cotta Pots. …
  • Grow Bags. …
  • Straw Bales.

Is it cheaper to buy or build raised garden beds?

However, a Durable GreenBed kit is useable for 20-25 plus years and stays attractive for just as long. A homemade raised garden bed might be cheaper in the short term, but it will cost you far more time and money in the long run.

What are the best tips for planting in raised and enclosed garden beds?

Here are some pro tips for planting in raised and enclosed garden beds: 1. Vertical Gardening: Utilize trellises, stakes, or vertical structures to grow vining plants vertically, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, or pole beans. Vertical gardening maximizes space efficiency, encourages better air circulation, and makes harvesting easier.

Can you build a walk-in Garden?

Building a walk-in garden is a great spring, summer, or fall project. A permanent garden fence can be used and enjoyed season after season and will protect plants year round. I’m sharing how to build one below, but if you’d like to watch, I also have a complete project video here on my YouTube Channel:

How do you build a garden bed frame?

Using a compound mitre saw, carefully cut the 2”x4” and 2”x3” timber to the desired lengths for the garden bed frame. Determine the measurements for the length and width you want. Step 2: Assemble the Garden Bed Frame Construct the frame by attaching the cut pieces of timber using 3” deck screws. Use a speed square to ensure right angles.

Can you put treated wood in a garden bed?

Then it came be picked up easily enough and plopped down into the bed. Then there is also the plastic. Even though treated wood is acceptable material for a garden bed, any wood choice will rot when it’s constantly in contact with wet soil, even treated wood or cedar.

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