Easy-To-Follow Steps to Set Up A Raised Bed Planter

Cultivating your own home garden can not only be a zen-like escape from everyday life but also a way to ensure a year-round supply of fresh fruits, vegetables, or flowers. Among garden lovers, there is an increasing trend towards using raised bed planters, primarily due to their time efficiency, superior drainage, protection from pests, and flexibility of location. Building your own raised bed planter may seem intimidating, but with these easy-to-follow steps, you'll have your home garden up and running in no time.

Before breaking ground, there are three essential factors that you need to consider: location, deciding on the material for the raised bed, and the blend of soil.

**Step 1: Choosing the Perfect Location**
Select a location that offers ample sunlight for almost 7 to 8 hours daily, ensuring that your plants get the crucial sunlight they require to grow and bloom. Next, consider the site for comfortable accessibility. Remember, you need to water, tend, and harvest your plants, so a location that is too narrow or challenging to access may complicate these tasks.

**Step 2: Selecting the Material**
Wood is the most common material used for raised garden beds due to its affordability and ease of use. Cedar and Redwood are famous for their durability and resistance against rotting. Alternatively, you can use composite materials, bricks, or stones, which offer a nice aesthetic but come with a higher price tag.

**Step 3: Setting Up the Raised Bed**
Once you've acquired the material, lay out the boards in the desired arrangement at the chosen site. A rectangular shape is the most efficient layout, but you can opt for a square, circular or L shape as per your aesthetic preference. Screw the corners of the boards together to make the frame of your bed.

**Step 4: Preparing the Ground**
With the frame ready, it's time to prepare the base. Lay a thick sheet of cardboard or newspaper at the base of your bed. This step is essential to discourage weed or grass growth that can compete with your plants.

**Step 5: Filling the Bed**
After setting up the base, you now need to fill your bed with a fertile soil blend. Ideally, use a mix of topsoil, compost, and potting soil for the best results, providing your plants with essential nutrients and optimal drainage. Fill the bed right up until you have about 2 inches of space from the top.

**Step 6: Adding Plants**
Give yourself a pat on the back; the setup is completed. Now, it's time to introduce your beloved plants to their new home. Ensure you provide ample space between plants for their growth.

**Step 7: Caring for Your Bed**
Regular watering, repelling pests if any, and adding compost every once in a while is key to a successful, lush raised bed garden *Et voila!* You have created your raised bed planter.

Setting up a raised bed planter is not only a way of connecting with nature but also a unique feature to add to your home aesthetics. So what are you waiting for? Roll up your sleeves and dig into your very own home gardening project!