Module 10: Raised Bed Basics › Farm to School

<div style=”border: solid 2px #b3b3b3;”>
<div style=”background-color: #f5f5f5; padding: 3% 5% 3% 5%;”>
<h2><span style=”font-size: 18pt;”><img id=”375058″ role=”presentation” src=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/courses/2516/files/472548/preview” alt=”” width=”50″ data-api-endpoint=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/api/v1/courses/2516/files/472548″ data-api-returntype=”File” /> <span style=”font-size: 24pt;”><strong>Module 10 Overview</strong></span></span></h2>
<p class=”p1″><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>This module describes the concept of raised bed gardening for educators as a primary small space production system. It focuses on principles of raised beds, raised bed vs. row systems, site selection, recommended frame sizes, soil needs calculation, types of raised bed materials, and nutrient and water management. </span></p>
</div>
<div style=”padding: 3% 5% 3% 5%;”>
<div>
<h3><span><strong><span style=”font-size: 18pt;”><img id=”371247″ role=”presentation” src=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/courses/2516/files/472468/preview” alt=”” width=”50″ data-api-endpoint=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/api/v1/courses/2516/files/472468″ data-api-returntype=”File” /> Learning Goals</span></strong></span></h3>
</div>
<p><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>This module will help you to:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”><strong>Identify</strong> benefits and challenges related to raised bed growing (soil temperature, moisture retention, compaction, concentrated efforts, relative harvest) </span></li>
<li><strong style=”font-size: 14pt; color: var(–ic-brand-font-color-dark); font-family: inherit;”>Determine</strong><span style=”font-size: 14pt; color: var(–ic-brand-font-color-dark); font-family: inherit;”> the size and placement of raised bed(s) to use for garden-related education.</span></li>
<li><strong style=”font-size: 14pt; color: var(–ic-brand-font-color-dark); font-family: inherit;”>Calculate</strong><span style=”font-size: 14pt; color: var(–ic-brand-font-color-dark); font-family: inherit;”> and plan for material needs, including soil, nutrients, water, and seeds/seedlings.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3 style=”padding-top: 20px;”><img id=”371249″ role=”presentation” src=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/courses/2516/files/472480/preview” alt=”” width=”50″ data-api-endpoint=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/api/v1/courses/2516/files/472480″ data-api-returntype=”File” /> <strong><span style=”font-size: 18pt;”>Roadmap</span></strong></h3>
<p><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>These items will all appear, in order, in the module:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”><strong>READ: </strong>Why Use Raised Beds?</span></li>
<li><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”><strong>READ & WATCH:</strong> Building Raised Beds</span></li>
<li><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”><strong>READ:</strong> Tips and Tricks for Successful Raised Bed Growing</span></li>
<li><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”><strong>ADDITIONAL RESOURCE:</strong> A Complete Approach to Raised Bed Gardening</span></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<p><span style=”color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;”><em>Please click<strong> NEXT </strong>at the bottom of this page to advance through the module. To return to the list of modules,<strong> PC </strong>users click <strong>”Modules” </strong>in the top left corner,<strong> App </strong>users click the<strong> back arrow </strong>in the top left header.</em></span></p>
</div>
</div>

<div style=”border: solid 2px #b3b3b3;”>
<div style=”background-color: #f5f5f5; padding: 3% 4% 3% 4%;”><img id=”371245″ style=”float: right; padding: 0px;” role=”presentation” src=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/courses/2516/files/472463/preview” alt=”” width=”75″ data-api-endpoint=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/api/v1/courses/2516/files/472463″ data-api-returntype=”File” />
<h2><span style=”font-size: 24pt;”><strong>Why Use Raised Beds?</strong></span></h2>
</div>
<div style=”padding: 3% 5% 3% 5%;”>
<h3><span style=”font-size: 18pt;”><strong>What is Raised Bed Gardening?</strong></span></h3>
<figure style=”max-width: 55%; min-width: 350px; float: right; margin: 2%;”><img style=”float: right;” src=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/courses/2516/files/472502/preview” alt=”Neat rows of raised beds growing various vegetables sit in a fenced gravel yard” data-api-endpoint=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/api/v1/courses/2516/files/472502″ data-api-returntype=”File” /></figure>
<p><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Raised bed gardening is a technique where soil is mounded into an elevated growing area — or form — that is constructed just wide enough that the middle of the growing surface can be reached from either side without stepping onto the growing surface. </span></p>
<h3><span style=”font-size: 18pt;”><strong>Why Raised Beds?</strong></span></h3>
<p><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Growers have been using raised beds to produce food for thousands of years because they provide the following benefits:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style=”padding-bottom: 1%;”><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”><strong>Improved soil drainage.</strong> Elevating the soil above level ground allows easier water drainage through the root zone.</span></li>
<li style=”padding-bottom: 1%;”><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”><strong>Earlier soil temperature warming. </strong>Soil that has been elevated warms faster when the sun’s rays contact the sides of the raised bed.</span></li>
<li style=”padding-bottom: 1%;”><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”><strong>Decreased compaction of soil.</strong> Construction of a raised bed so that the middle of the planting area is accessible avoids compaction from the gardener stepping on the surface. Over time, this lack of compaction coupled with the addition of organic matter soil amendments will achieve premier soil tilth. Decreased compaction facilitates soil friability, allowing roots to penetrate and soil moisture and air to move through the soil profile easily.</span></li>
<li style=”padding-bottom: 1%;”><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”><strong>Ease of crop rotation.</strong> Construction of at least three raised beds in the growing space allows for a true three-season crop rotation between vegetable families. This three-season crop rotation schedule has proven to decrease pest, disease and weed challenges to members of the same vegetable family. </span></li>
<li style=”padding-bottom: 1%;”><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”><strong>Concentration of watering, weeding, and fertilizing inside the defined space.</strong> Having a dedicated raised bed growing space allows the grower to apply fertilizer, compost, soil amendments, and water focally to the growing space instead of the garden pathways. Raised beds facilitate efficient weed control and mulch application in the growing space.</span></li>
<li><strong><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>A larger volume of soil can be built up on poor ground.</span></strong></li>
</ul>
<div style=”border: solid #6F9632 5px; background-color: #f5f5f5; padding: 2% 2% 2% 2%; margin: 2% 0% 2% 0%;”>
<h4 style=”text-align: left;”><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”><strong>Quick Tips</strong></span></h4>
<ul>
<li style=”padding-bottom: 1%;”><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Avoid stepping in the beds or allowing students to step in your raised beds to avoid compaction and allow the soil to remain loose. This allows the plants inside the bed to grow larger, healthier root systems.</span></li>
<li><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Raised beds warm up earlier in the spring because of their elevated sides. They also drain better after excessive rainfall or watering. Because of this, raised beds may need watered more frequently if there is not enough rain falling to water the plants.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<hr />
<p><span style=”color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;”><em>Please click<strong> NEXT </strong>at the bottom of this page to advance through the module. To return to the list of modules,<strong> PC </strong>users click <strong>”Modules” </strong>in the top left corner,<strong> App </strong>users click the<strong> back arrow </strong>in the top left header.</em></span></p>
</div>
</div>

<div style=”border: solid 2px #b3b3b3;”>
<div style=”background-color: #f5f5f5; padding: 3% 4% 3% 4%;”><img id=”371248″ style=”float: right; padding: 1px;” role=”presentation” src=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/courses/2516/files/472469/preview” alt=”” width=”75″ data-api-endpoint=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/api/v1/courses/2516/files/472469″ data-api-returntype=”File” /><img id=”371245″ style=”float: right; padding: 1px;” role=”presentation” src=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/courses/2516/files/472463/preview” alt=”” width=”75″ data-api-endpoint=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/api/v1/courses/2516/files/472463″ data-api-returntype=”File” />
<h2><span style=”font-size: 24pt;”><strong>Building Raised Beds</strong></span></h2>
</div>
<div style=”padding: 3% 5% 3% 5%;”>
<h3><strong><span style=”font-size: 18pt;”>Materials to Use</span></strong></h3>
<p><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>There are many choices of materials for raised bed construction and some will have environmental and financial concerns you should consider. Some choices of materials include:<span id=”placeholder-1″ class=”mceNonEditable” style=”display: inline-flex;” aria-label=”Loading” data-placeholder-for=”Lumber.png”></span><br /></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Untreated wood</span></li>
<li><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Plastic/synthetic lumber</span></li>
<li><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Cinder blocks</span></li>
<li><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Lumber facing</span></li>
<li><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Treated lumber</span></li>
</ul>
<figure style=”width: 40%; max-width: 340px; float: right;”><img style=”float: right;” src=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/courses/2516/files/472499/preview” alt=”Several raised beds on a flat landscape.” width=”341″ height=”254″ data-api-endpoint=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/api/v1/courses/2516/files/472499″ data-api-returntype=”File” />
<figcaption>
<p><i>This site has been leveled with plastic mulch and weed control. It takes advantage of microenvironments such as black plastic, proximity to a building, and location within a city environment. These all will add a small layer of frost protection in cooler weather but will create a hotter environment in warmer weather.</i><i></i></p>
</figcaption>
<img style=”float: right;” src=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/courses/2516/files/472500/preview” alt=”A phone app is used to determine the direction a person is facing in a raised-bed garden.” width=”356″ height=”271″ data-api-endpoint=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/api/v1/courses/2516/files/472500″ data-api-returntype=”File” />
<figcaption>
<p><i>Fruits and vegetables do best in full sun. In Ohio, this means a south facing growing area as far away from trees or buildings as possible. </i></p>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Untreated lumber is an easy material to work with, readily sourced and comes with choices. Cedar is a good choice for an untreated wood product if the grower wishes to prioritize aesthetics, weather resistance and rot-resistance. Untreated lumber in contact with soil will not last as long as other raised bed materials although many years of use are possible. Plastic, composite, or synthetic lumber is a durable choice to construct raised beds and is available as kits pre-cut and ready to assemble. Cinder blocks are a readily available building medium for raised beds. Concerns with using cinder blocks are expense, weight, soil loss at block joints, and leaching of lime into the soil affecting pH. Lumber facing is an excellent raised bed building material. It is durable, inexpensive, aesthetically pleasing, and, depending on species of tree, can be extremely water and rot resistant. One drawback is that this building material is not readily available depending on location. Take care to source hardwood lumber facing, excepting walnut, to construct raised beds. </span></p>
<p><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Treated lumber (treated after 2004) is a common choice to construct raised beds due to cost, availability, and durability, but some chemical leaching into the nearby soil is possible. Use a plastic liner or landscape fabric to isolate treated lumber from the surrounding soil and minimize contact with vegetables. Non-recommended materials for raised bed construction include railroad ties, plywood, and tires. These materials contain higher concentrations of chemicals that can leach into the soil over time and pose a health hazard.</span></p>
<h3><span style=”font-size: 18pt;”><strong>Size Recommendations</strong></span></h3>
<p><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Beds can be 3 to 4 inches tall if shaped by a garden rake, or as tall as the forms that the bed is created out from. </span><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Raised beds should be a <strong>maximum</strong> of 4 feet wide so all parts of the bed can be reached without stepping inside the bed. Consider a three-foot-wide bed if you work with younger students or early care. In GTS, we build 4-foot wide, 8-foot-long beds.</span></p>
<h3><strong> Site Selection of Raised Beds</strong></h3>
<p><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Take as much care as possible when selecting a site for a raised bed. Raised beds are difficult to move after filled with soil. Evaluate location and proximity of water sources, trees, and buildings that may shade the raised bed. Evaluate sunlight amounts and ensure that the site of the raised bed provides adequate sunlight to grow the targeted plantings. A south-facing raised bed will maximize sun exposure. If there are weeds on the ground, make sure they are addressed prior to bed construction. You can put down newspaper or cardboard to smother weeds. Place soil on top of said cardboard or newspaper. </span><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Raised beds can address slight slopes by leveling the site and using a form to encase the soil.</span></p>
<div style=”border: solid 5px #EA6F13; background-color: #f5f5f5; padding: 2% 2% 2% 2%; margin: 2% 0% 2% 0%;”>
<h4><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”><strong>Site Consideration Checklist</strong></span></h4>
<img style=”float: right;” role=”presentation” src=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/courses/2516/files/472498/preview” alt=”” width=”174″ height=”174″ data-api-endpoint=”https://scarlet.instructure.com/api/v1/courses/2516/files/472498″ data-api-returntype=”File” />
<ul style=”list-style-type: circle;”>
<li><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Full sun, south facing</span></li>
<li><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Avoid close proximity to buildings or trees</span></li>
<li><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Easy water access for watering plantings. City or potable water is preferred over water catchment like rain barrels. </span></li>
<li><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>A level site is best to prevent erosion</span></li>
<li><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Weeds on the site are addressed prior to construction </span></li>
<li><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Raised beds need a lot of soil, make sure site is accessible and calculate soil needs prior to construction so soil cost fits in the budget</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3><span style=”font-size: 18pt;”><strong>Assembling Your Raised Beds</strong></span></h3>
<p><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Watch this video to learn more about about constructing raised beds with lumber.</span></p>
<p><em><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>(2 minutes, 59 seconds)<br />Watch this video on YouTube to access a full text transcript.</span></em></p>
<div style=”position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;” title=”embedded content”><iframe style=”width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px;” title=”YouTube video player” src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ak9qiti7Ppk?si=67ghAZ3M45hlP_1W” width=”100%” height=”100%” loading=”lazy” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen” allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” data-mce-fragment=”1″></iframe></div>
<h3 style=”padding-top: 10px;”><span style=”font-size: 18pt;”><strong>Annual Maintenance</strong></span></h3>
<p><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Cover with mulch (organic or plastic) when not in use to prevent erosive loss of nutrients as well as weed proliferation. This can be done after spring classes have ended prior to summer break. </span><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>Address harvest and erosive loss of soil before new school year planting. It is common to have to replace up to 20% of soil volume each year.</span></p>
<p><span style=”font-size: 14pt;”>It is a good idea to test the soil for fertility levels every 2-3 years to ensure correct fertility for growing crops. Your Extension office will be able to provide soil testing guidance.</span></p>
<hr />
<p><span style=”color: #000000; font-size: 14pt;”><em>Please click<strong> NEXT </strong>at the bottom of this page to advance through the module. To return to the list of modules,<strong> PC </strong>users click <strong>”Modules” </strong>in the top left corner,<strong> App </strong>users click the<strong> back arrow </strong>in the top left header.</em></span></p>
</div>
</div>

ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: A Complete Approach to Raised Bed Gardening

Contact Info

Sub-Footer

Contact Us

Follow Us!