How to Build Raised Landscape Beds

Design and Construct the Bed

• 1

  Select a spot for the bed and outline the proposed border. Use stakes connected by string for straight borders. Spray chalk outlines for curvy borders.

• 2

  Stomp down any weeds and cover the weeds and any sod with 6 to 12 overlapping layers of newspaper.

• 3

  Place the landscape timbers or fieldstones around the perimeter of the bed. The border material should be on the newspaper to prevent any exposed grass or weeds from poking through.

Fill the Bed

• 4

  Soak the newspaper. Create a 2- or 3-inch layer of peat moss.

• 5

  Add a layer of nitrogen-rich organic material such as kitchen scraps or grass clippings. This layer should be twice as thick as the first layer.

• 6

  Add layers of carbon-rich materials, such as wood ash, straw, shredded newspaper, and shredded dead leaves. Alternate the carbon layers with nitrogen-rich materials, such as grass clippings and food scraps. The ratio of carbon to nitrogen should be 30 to 1. A completely filled bed will be at least 1 1/2 to 2 feet high.

• 7

  Cover the bed with several inches of straw or with a layer of black plastic. Use bricks or stones to keep the plastic in place through the winter. The layered material will decompose over the winter, creating rich, dark soil for spring planting.