A raised garden bed can be built with a variety of non-toxic materials including concrete blocks, brick, untreated wood. (Treated wood contains toxic chemicals that can leach into the soil and enter the plants.) Sunset has great step–by–stepinstructions to create a 4’ x 8’ wood bed. A four-foot width, with sides 12–16 inches high, is ideal because it allows you to sit on the edge and reach into your plants.
The Advantages to growing a non-toxic raised garden bed
- These garden beds are space saving—since you will not need walking space between each row (only between beds), they end up taking up less space.
- You will benefit with a longer planting season—raised beds warm up earlier in the spring and hold onto heat longer in the fall, allowing you earlier and later planting.
- You will reduce soil compaction because you don’t walk on the growing medium like traditional beds.
- You will conserve water as you will have better drainage and retention of water, as well as aeration of the soil due to the minimal soil compaction, making for a more successful garden bed.
- You will have bigger, healthier yields due to greater root development—the benefits to the soil benefits the plants and your harvest!
Check out TimberSIL glass wood. The only preserved wood deemed by the EPA as Non-Toxic.
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