You can organically control insect pests by setting traps, by using companion planting with insectary plants, and by using organically derived sprays or diatomaceous earth when necessary.
Keeping backyard chickens or attracting beneficial wildlife such as insect eating birds, lizards and amphibians will help to keep insect populations in check. Removing unnecessary habitat such as tall grass, woody debris, and infested plants from the garden also helps to prevent larger outbreaks.
Biological control organisms, sometimes referred to as “hired bugs,” such as ladybugs and praying mantises, can be bought and released into the garden and can be effective given the right habitat and food to survive. Identifying and researching the characteristics of insect in your garden will help you to effectively prevent and eliminate pests without harming beneficial insects.
- Raised beds are made from long-lasting cedar.
Raised beds and planter boxes are made from rot-resistant cedar protected by a non-toxic waterproof sealant that is safe for vegetable gardening. Rustic-grade raised beds are also available for about 15% off regular prices.
Rust-free metal pins and crossbars hold the raised beds together. Brass screws and wooden dowels are used to attach the optional trim packs and planter bottoms.
To find your climate zone, refer to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Your climate zone determines which plants will be safe from a killing frost in an average year and helps you know the earliest date when you can plant crops outside.
When buying seeds or comparing plant varieties, look for the zone hardiness rating on the packaging and follow the information provided by the seed supplier.
Yes. Educational and non-profit discounts are available on most orders depending on size and delivery location. Our raised bed and planter kits usually help school and community gardens save money, since the setup and assembly is so much easier than other planter designs. Our tool-free raised beds can be assembled by volunteers of every age and ability. Even young children find it a lot of fun.
Give us a call at 503-802-9292 for advice on planning a garden project. We have also put together a garden planning help form, to help you get started. We have years of hands-on experience helping schools and non-profits build successful gardens.
Half-inch steel hardware cloth attached to the bottom of raised beds is an effect barrier against gophers and burrowing rodents. Hardware cloth is available at most hardware stores in 3 and 4 foot wide rolls and can be cut to length using metal shears. Be sure to wear gloves, as the cut edges can be sharp. Bend the edges of the material so it lays flat against the inside walls of the planter, and use a staple gun to secure it in place. Use staples every few inches so there are no gaps a gopher can squeeze through.
Remember that root crops such as carrots and beets can’t grow through the screen bottom, so build raised beds that are tall enough to provide root space for plants.
Soil drainage and aeration are key factors to plant growth and a successful garden. After setting up your raised beds, loosen the ground below 8-12 inches using a turning fork or shovel. If the ground is very hard or mostly clay, a drainage layer of loose round gravel is recommended. The drainage layer should be equal to about 10-20 percent of the total depth of the raised bed, e.g. 1-2 inches of gravel for an 11 inch tall bed. If setting up beds on non-absorbent surfaces such as concrete or severely compacted dirt, use slatted planter bottoms to provide excellent drainage for gardens on rooftops, driveways and parking lots.
The soil inside your planters should also be loose and well aerated to promote healthy root growth and a productive harvest. Amendments such as rice hulls, pumice, and perlite can be added to soil mixtures to improve both drainage and moisture retention. Root crops and vegetables with long tap roots help to break up soil and loosen hard ground over seasons with minimal digging. After harvesting the edible parts of the plants, leave some of the root systems in place, instead of pulling them out completely. The roots will decompose over time, leaving behind nutrients and loose empty spaces where water and air can penetrate, improving soil conditions for your next crop of vegetables.
We saturate our cedar boards in a non-toxic solution that seals the wood internally. There is no coating on the surface to flake or chip, and nothing leaches into the soil. Microscopic glass crystals form and bond with wood fibers, creating a moisture barrier that protects the boards from rot. There are no UV protectors so the cedar will fade naturally to silver-gray. If you want to stain or paint the wood, we recommend applying it to the outside of the planter only, as some products can off-gas or leach toxins into soil.
The amount of watering a raised bed garden needs varies with the season, climate and weather. During hot summer months you may need to water once or twice daily. Early mornings and evenings are best. During the cooler seasons of fall and early spring, you may only need to water every few days, and go weeks without watering during the rainy season.
Raised beds in particular may need more watering in dry weather. Plants in raised beds tend to grow more quickly and consume water and nutrients faster. This rapid growth, combined with improved soil drainage and increased evaporation from the tops and sides of the bed, means is best to keep an eye on soil moisture levels. If the soil feels dry an inch or so below the surface, it’s time to water your raised beds.
You can reduce water requirements during hot dry weather, by top dressing raised beds with a layer of compost and worm castings covered with light-colored mulch such as yellow straw or rice hulls.
Yes! In fact, it’s hard to imagine an easier design. Just position boards so the notched ends overlap and insert corner pins to lock the boards together. Stack additional board layers to build the height of the planter. No tools are necessary to assemble our basic raised beds.
Optional trim packs and garden trellises attach to raised beds with the included screws, so a power screwdriver is recommended. Assembly instructions are included with all orders.
Basic raised beds can be equipped with optional trim packs for a more finished look and increased durability. The trim pack consists of pre-drilled 3.25 inch wide top rails and corner moldings that attach to the outside of the bed with included screws.
The top rail provides a convenient place to sit and rest tools while working in the garden. The side and corner moldings cover exposed lap joints, reinforce corners, and lock the board layers together to prevent separation on uneven ground.
Trim pack options are available for any size raised bed. They come standard on all planter boxes and standing planters and can be used with or without trellises and optional planter bottoms.
