If you want to build or improve your garden but don’t want to do a lot of digging, raised gardens might be the perfect solution for you. Raised garden beds are an excellent option for both novice and experienced gardeners, providing greater control over weeds and increased growing space.
While building a raised bed with two-by-fours is a simple option, there are many other ways to achieve the same result without requiring fancy tools or a trip to the hardware store. If bending down to tend to a low bed is challenging, there are raised bed ideas that allow for taller, more accessible garden plots.
If you’re looking for innovative, inexpensive raised garden ideas, keep reading.
Our blog will inspire you to get your hands dirty and start planting. So, grab your gardening shoes and gloves, and prepare to be inspired!
Table of Contents
1. Pallets
If you’re looking for an easy and cost-effective way to create a raised garden bed, consider repurposing wood pallets. These can often be found for free on the roadside, making them a great option for those on a budget.
By dismantling the pallets, you can use the boards to create a narrow raised herb garden that can be mounted on a fence or wall, providing a space-saving solution for those with limited garden space.
One of the best things about using recycled pallets for raised garden beds is that they are readily available and typically free. Many businesses have surplus pallets that they need to dispose of, so you might find them stacked up on the side of the road or at the back of stores.
Before grabbing them, it’s best to ask permission if they are on retail or manufacturing properties. Once you’ve obtained the pallets, you can easily dismantle them to obtain the boards needed to create your raised garden bed.
With pallets, you can experiment with different styles and shapes for your raised garden beds. Not only does this add a unique touch to your garden, but it also allows you to customize the bed to fit your specific gardening needs. So, next time you come across a pile of pallets, don’t hesitate to grab them and start building your own raised garden bed.
Pallets are a cheap and easy way to create a raised garden bed. You can usually find them for free or for a low price. Just stack them on top of each other, and fill them with soil.
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2. Cinder Blocks
Here is another interesting way to spruce up your garden: consider trying out a DIY raised garden using cinder blocks or concrete blocks. It’s a unique and easy-to-setup solution.
To get started, clear the area of any weeds and ensure the ground beneath is level. Then, arrange the blocks in the desired shape, whether it’s a rectangle, square, or something more creative. Place blocks side by side to achieve the width or length you want, and secure them in place with concrete.
Once your raised garden bed is set up, it’s time to fill it with soil and start planting. You have the freedom to grow whatever you like, from vibrant flowers to fresh herbs or even vegetables for your kitchen. And if you want to make things even easier on your back, consider increasing the height of the bed to avoid unnecessary kneeling.
Cinder blocks are also an inexpensive option for building a raised garden bed. They can be stacked on top of each other and filled with soil.
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3. Straw bales
Opportunities are endless if you’re ready to try different and creative gardening ideas. For example, one efficient method is straw bale gardening. Also known as bale gardening or hay bale gardening, this technique involves using straw bales as the primary growing medium.
By conditioning the bales with a small amount of potting soil, compost, and fertilizer, the straw gradually breaks down throughout the growing season, providing its own nutrients.
Besides, straw bale gardening is economical and an ideal way to cultivate vegetables, herbs, and ornamental plants. Moreover, this gardening method is less strenuous on the back and is particularly helpful for individuals with mobility issues.
Straw bales can be used to create a raised garden bed without any construction. Just arrange them in a rectangle or square, and fill them with soil.
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4. Recycled materials
You can also transform your garden with recycled household items. Look around your house for materials that can be repurposed into a raised garden bed. For example, old bathtubs, old wagons, bathtubs, wash tubs, bricks, concrete blocks, water troughs, stones, door panels, pallets, unused dressers, wheelbarrows, and even old tires can be used as raised garden beds.
However, it is important to exercise caution when using certain materials, such as old tires or railroad ties, which may contain toxic substances that could harm plants or vegetables grown in the soil.
In general, natural materials like hollowed-out stumps are safer options for planting. Using recycled materials for garden beds not only helps to reduce waste, but also creates unique and functional gardening spaces. Read more about installing the raised bed!
5. Wooden pallets
You can also disassemble wooden pallets and use them to create a raised garden bed. Just make sure to use untreated wood. Wooden pallets are an excellent material to build raised beds because they are easy to come by and simple to work with.
To create a pallet planter, you can lay out the pallet on the ground and fill the spaces between the slats with soil, compost, and plants.
Constructing elevated garden beds is a cost-effective and effortless endeavour if you employ wooden pallets. So many of us have the desire to cultivate a vegetable and herb garden in our backyards, but the estimated expenses of the necessary supplies often exceed the budget.
A simple solution, find alternative ways to reduce expenses and discover people offering high-quality wooden pallets for free on the internet.
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6. Corrugated metal
So, let’s see what else you can use to build inexpensive gardening solutions. Corrugated metal is a popular material for garden enthusiasts. Why? Because it has a rugged appearance and is highly durable in any environmental condition due to its galvanized surface.
To enhance safety, you can embellish the top and bottom with redwood frames, which will not only act as a barrier to prevent any injuries from the sharp edges but also provide a comfortable seating area. This way you can also add a touch of elegance to your garden.
You can easily purchase corrugated metal at a low price and assemble them with great ease. However, if you want to build your garden in a more professional way, reach out to garden landscaping services in London.
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7. Bricks
Using leftover bricks from other DIY projects is surely an inexpensive way to build raised flower beds. With bricks, you can create a simple and low planter or a larger one depending on your preference and available space.
Brick beds are perfect for smaller landscapes, such as an English town garden, as they can add a touch of rustic charm. For those who enjoy creativity, bricks can be arranged in unique and interesting patterns like a circular red brick flower bed with three different planting tiers.
On the other hand, if you prefer symmetry, modern vegetable planters made of red bricks and surrounded by river rocks can be an excellent choice. Bricks have excellent heat and moisture retention properties, making them ideal for growing vegetables and fruits such as strawberries.
Shallow garden beds are suitable for leafy greens, and concrete capstones can be added to the top of the planters for a more complex and sturdy structure. This provides extra protection for your plants against pests and harsh weather conditions.
Related: 31 Raised Garden Bed Design Ideas
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8. Rocks
Let’s highlight an idea that can give a natural and rustic look to your garden. You can create a raised garden bed by stacking rocks. However, the main challenge of this project is finding rocks that are relatively flat. But once you have them, you can easily stack them in any shape you desire.
The beauty of this technique is that you can create beds with straight lines or curved edges. Another benefit is that you can customize the height of your garden bed according to your preferences. You can build shallow beds or towering ones by stacking the rocks higher.
You can use rocks of different colours and sizes to add more visual appeal to your garden bed. It is also possible to mix and match different types of rocks depending on what’s available in your area.
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9. Concrete blocks
Finally, it’s time to talk about concrete blocks and their gardening application. Creating a raised bed garden is a great way to reimagine your garden, and building it yourself can be a fun and rewarding experience.
Before you start, be sure to plan ahead and consider factors like the location of the bed, the materials you’ll use, and the size and shape of the bed – In this case, we’re using concrete blocks.
When constructing a raised garden bed, it’s recommended to prepare the base layer of the bed by placing several inches of sand or gravel underneath the first row of blocks. This will help prevent ground movement from disturbing the alignment and level of the walls. If you’re working on a budget, you can look for free sand or gravel to use.
It’s also important to consider frost if you live in an area that experiences it. One way to combat this is to dig slightly into the ground so that the first course of blocks sits halfway into the ground for added stability with frost. This will provide a finished look and keep the bed level during winter months.
When setting the blocks for the raised bed, stagger them like bricks for added stability. It’s not necessary to cement the blocks in place, as loose blocks are easier to adjust if the bed moves.
Capping the wall with flat blocks is an optional step, but can add a nice finishing touch to the bed. Thinner blocks can also be purchased to save money.
A concrete block garden bed is a unique way to grow your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. By using recycled materials like concrete blocks or finding free materials from local sources, you can create a budget-friendly and sustainable garden bed.
Don’t forget to plan ahead and consider factors like the base layer, frost, and block placement for a successful and long-lasting garden bed.
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Final thoughts
Creating a raised bed for your plants is a fun and versatile project. Isn’t it? You have so many options and materials to build imaginative and eye-catching designs. With the right material and idea, you can make a raised bed planter without breaking the bank.
One of the main benefits of raised beds is that they provide an opportunity to control soil quality, water drainage, and sunlight exposure for your plants. They also minimize soil compaction and offer easy access for people with mobility issues.
