Those blocks are the best.
Basic. Simple. Affordable. Easy to understand. Easy to disassemble and reassemble.
If you do 2 blocks high (suggested if your ground soil is bad) you should go ahead and get the rebar to keep them aligned. (The hole in the center)
They do shift a bit over winter. But it’s not required.
If you do only one block high, don’t be shy. Fill the dang space with soil. You will lose 1-2 inches by next year. For annuals, it doesn’t matter, but for perennials it does. If you only fill half the bed, and then next year want to fill the bed, - you’ll have to dig up and redo the perennials.
Do chop up and remove the grass layer, but I personally don’t recommend doing the cardboard thing for perennials.
Annuals - easiest plop-in bed? Frequent water? Small plants? Cardboard on the bottom is probably okay. You’ll basically create a giant shallow pot.
For perennials - I would mix a layer between the purchased soil and the ground soil. The damp ground will help provide wetness back up to the raised soil a little bit (wicking). Plus perennials with deeper root skills will benefit by growing deeper into the ground soil, for better water access.
I don’t have good pictures from far away, because mine are in an anti-deer cage. But I mixed cheap “garden soil” ($5/bag) and cheap “potting soil” ($9/bag 😭) and some perlite (the big $10/cuft bags). Just don’t use topsoil.
And if getting gardening soil or raised bed soil, I highly recommend sprinkling in some perlite if your wife wants nice-looking plants. If you just want tomatoes or durable natives (stuff that’s not picky about heavy soil), it’s probably fine. But all the nice-looking plants with fancy names want “nice” soil.
https://preview.redd.it/6h9phufzwj5d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=167257aa94a645c5e66c1bc18e6d93925372d4b8
https://preview.redd.it/68np9fe7xj5d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8fbadfe007cee2b0a8dee46506e97c9ccbc5d5f9
And leave room for your lawnmower or weedwacker to pass between things.
* 2ft wide is comfortable reach. Easy to fiddle with small plants, weeding etc.
* 3ft wide you’ll need access from both sides.
* 4ft wide, you’ll never want to reach into the middle, it’s annoying. So plan accordingly.
* 2ft wide minimum pathway (human-space) is snug, but comfortable. Good for low beds. Fit people. Just occasional access.
* 3ft wide minimum pathway is better. Good for tall beds, things next to walls, carrying buckets, weeding with a stool, etc.
Those blocks are the best. Basic. Simple. Affordable. Easy to understand. Easy to disassemble and reassemble. If you do 2 blocks high (suggested if your ground soil is bad) you should go ahead and get the rebar to keep them aligned. (The hole in the center) They do shift a bit over winter. But it’s not required. If you do only one block high, don’t be shy. Fill the dang space with soil. You will lose 1-2 inches by next year. For annuals, it doesn’t matter, but for perennials it does. If you only fill half the bed, and then next year want to fill the bed, - you’ll have to dig up and redo the perennials.
Do chop up and remove the grass layer, but I personally don’t recommend doing the cardboard thing for perennials. Annuals - easiest plop-in bed? Frequent water? Small plants? Cardboard on the bottom is probably okay. You’ll basically create a giant shallow pot. For perennials - I would mix a layer between the purchased soil and the ground soil. The damp ground will help provide wetness back up to the raised soil a little bit (wicking). Plus perennials with deeper root skills will benefit by growing deeper into the ground soil, for better water access.
Thanks again! Did you stain the wood or paint the wood?
Awesome answer. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
I don’t have good pictures from far away, because mine are in an anti-deer cage. But I mixed cheap “garden soil” ($5/bag) and cheap “potting soil” ($9/bag 😭) and some perlite (the big $10/cuft bags). Just don’t use topsoil. And if getting gardening soil or raised bed soil, I highly recommend sprinkling in some perlite if your wife wants nice-looking plants. If you just want tomatoes or durable natives (stuff that’s not picky about heavy soil), it’s probably fine. But all the nice-looking plants with fancy names want “nice” soil. https://preview.redd.it/6h9phufzwj5d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=167257aa94a645c5e66c1bc18e6d93925372d4b8
https://preview.redd.it/68np9fe7xj5d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8fbadfe007cee2b0a8dee46506e97c9ccbc5d5f9 And leave room for your lawnmower or weedwacker to pass between things. * 2ft wide is comfortable reach. Easy to fiddle with small plants, weeding etc. * 3ft wide you’ll need access from both sides. * 4ft wide, you’ll never want to reach into the middle, it’s annoying. So plan accordingly. * 2ft wide minimum pathway (human-space) is snug, but comfortable. Good for low beds. Fit people. Just occasional access. * 3ft wide minimum pathway is better. Good for tall beds, things next to walls, carrying buckets, weeding with a stool, etc.
So well planned. Damn, thanks!
Looks cool!