Instructional video- raised redwood beds

Here's a great video on how to construct a very basic redwood garden bed, produced by Bruce Bauer Lumber and Supply in Mountain View, CA. I like the simple design and ease of construction:

This type of bed utilizes 2x12s, has only a few pieces, and will last a very long time. 

The GRK screws used are expensive and probably overkill for this little project, but I find they are a huge time-saver for larger projects or if you are building multiple beds. I'll talk about fasteners at a later time

These guys use galvanized wire for the bottom of the bed. This is perfectly acceptable to keep out rodents, but stainless steel gopher wire is a better choice as it will last longer in the ground. You can order online here or if you're in the Santa Cruz area Mountain Feed in Ben Lomond carries it as well.

It's also a good idea to use some 1/4"  redwood lath strips screwed along the bottom perimeter to ensure critters can't push their way in through the gaps left between staples. Plus, working with those fencing staples can be a pain in the ass for those who don't have a steady hand with a hammer.

I will post my own instructional video and make a page the next time I build some beds.

Possible topics and things to look forward to

I'm working on getting some content pages up and running for this blog. The first is going to be on basic redwood bed construction. I figure it is going to be best to have a page with a link on the sidebar that discusses actual construction, and I'm working on putting together more photos from my projects, etc.

Upcoming blog topics may include the following:

A raised bed. Photo by Jinx McCombs. Creative Common License.

-gophers

-hanging boxes

-styles and design

-alternatives to redwood

-fasteners

As the blog evolves, I might change the focus a bit to include more general advice for garden layout and design to keep things fresh on here.

Also, I'll probably feature the blogs and designs of others, maybe in a design of the week format! Feel free to contact me if you have any photos, design submissions or ideas! Stay tuned.

Choosing a location for your new garden beds

There are several things to consider when you try to find an appropriate location for your garden beds. Picking the wrong spot can lead to disastrous results. You need to have the following:

Sunlight-- Find an area of your yard that will get lots of sunlight. It will be hard for you to grow anything if you don't get at least 4 hours of direct sunlight a day, and the more the better if you want your plants to grow optimally. Certain crops such as tomatoes and bell peppers require long periods of sunlight in order to properly develop. If you live in a dark area, such as a heavily forested, urban or coastal region, you may have to do some research before deciding what to grow in your raised beds.

Protection from Deer-- If you live in an area where deer are a problem, you'll have to have a tall fence surrounding your garden. Many a harvest has been spoiled by hungry deer; they can devour plants down to nothing in a very short period of time. In my experience most alternative methods to keep deer away (cougar piss, fishing line, and whatnot) are ineffective, so exclusion with a good welded wire or redwood fence is an absolute must to protect your investment.

Slope-- A level area to place the bed is necessary unless you modify the bed to fit the contour of a hillside. The top should be level so that the soil saturates evenly when you water. I recommend using terraces to place your beds on. More on this topic to come.

Visual appeal-- A garden will give new life to an old yard. Place it somewhere that will be pleasing to the eye, check the spacing between walkways, etc. and try to pick a spot where it will be centered between obstacles and landscape features. 

Farmer Stephan selects the perfect location for raised beds in this client's backyard

Accessibility-- Be sure that you can access your beds in order to work in them. I try to leave at least 18 inches (0.5m) of room around the sides of my beds so that I can easily work around them. This prevents having to climb up on the side of the bed in order to reach the back. Also consider who is going to be tending your garden. Some folks will require more space than others.

5 Reasons why raised redwood beds will improve your garden

Custom built redwood beds in a bird-proof enclosure. A beautiful addition to any yard.

The use of raised beds is an excellent way to create a garden that thrives just about anywhere, and is growing in popularity as we strive to maximize the quality and yield of our vegetables and flowers, often in rather tight spaces. Raised beds are superior to traditional in-ground ones for the following reasons.

1.) Less back pain. Anyone who has spent countless hours bent over in the garden pulling weeds has probably experienced a sore back. Raised beds are elevated so that they are easier to reach and work on without putting unnecessary strain on your body.

2.) Improved drainage-- In areas where the soil has a slower percolation rate raised beds are often the only reliable way to garden. Healthy root systems need to dry out from time to time and if they are constantly waterlogged your plants will not do well.

3.) Raised beds warm up faster in the spring-- For those in cooler climates, plants will get a jump start in the morning over those in the ground.

4.) Pest control-- Using raised beds lined with gopher wire will eliminate the headache caused by gophers killing off your prized plants by denying access to them. Also, it is easier to control insect populations in the confined environment that they provide so there are less issues with pests such as aphids and spider mites.

5.) Appearance-- Raised beds built from redwood will add natural beauty to your yard and can be very pleasing to the eye. Since they can be built in just about any style you can dream up and construct the perfect addition to your yard or patio.

So what are you waiting for? It's time to come up with a design.