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!