How to Build a Thriving Raised-Bed Boulevard Garden: A Step-by-Step Guide
Embarking on a gardening adventure can be both exciting and rewarding. Last month, we shared our initial raised bed garden plans, and today, we’re delving into the specifics of how we transformed those plans into a flourishing boulevard garden. This project, initially daunting in its research and planning stages, proved surprisingly straightforward in execution. It reinforced the adage that meticulous preparation is the cornerstone of success. We extend our sincere gratitude to Duluth Trading Co. for providing the impetus to bring this vision to life.
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details, let’s revisit our initial garden design and the thought process behind it.
The Garden Plan: From Backyard Slope to Front Boulevard
Inspired by Hip Chick Digs
Our original intention was to create a small-scale vegetable garden using raised garden beds in our backyard. However, after carefully monitoring sunlight exposure and consulting with neighbors experienced in growing vegetables in partial shade, we decided to relocate the garden to our sun-drenched front boulevard. This strategic shift was driven by our belief that the boulevard’s abundant sunlight would maximize the garden’s potential for success. The choice of location is a crucial first step to any garden project. Understanding the amount of sunlight your desired location receives is key to growing vegetables that thrive. Different vegetables have different requirements, so do your research before committing to a specific spot.
Construction: DIY vs. Kit
Initially, we planned to construct our garden beds from scratch, following Sunset’s DIY plans. However, an unusually wet spring, coupled with travel commitments, disrupted our DIY aspirations. Ultimately, we opted for a convenient solution: a cedar garden bed kit. The assembly process was remarkably quick, taking less than 30 minutes. For those with limited time or DIY experience, a pre-fabricated kit offers a fantastic alternative. We purchased four sets to construct three beds: two 24-inch tall beds and one 10-inch tall bed designated for strawberries.
While a kit proved ideal for our circumstances, constructing garden beds from scratch can be a rewarding and cost-effective endeavor for those with the time and necessary tools. DIY projects give you full control over the dimensions and materials used, allowing for greater customization to fit your specific needs and aesthetic preferences. Consider the resources you have available, your skill level, and the timeline you are working with.
Assembling the cedar bed kit.
Adding weed-blocking fabric to the base of each bed.
The Square Foot Gardening Method: Maximizing Yield in Small Spaces
When it came to selecting the best method for cultivating our vegetables, extensive research led us to the square foot gardening method. This technique, repeatedly praised for its efficiency and adaptability, resonated with our desire to maximize yield in a limited space. A friend who successfully implemented square foot gardening in raised beds the previous year attested to its effectiveness, particularly highlighting the flexibility it offered in soil composition. As novice gardeners, this aspect was especially appealing.
Square Foot Gardening
The square foot gardening method emphasizes a specific soil mixture: 1/3 vermiculite, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 blended compost. To determine the required volume of soil, we calculated the total cubic footage of our beds (approximately 60 cubic feet, excluding the strawberry patch) and divided by three. This method is designed to provide plants with the nutrients they need, while minimizing the amount of space and effort needed to maintain the garden. The benefits include better soil quality, weed control, and the ability to grow more produce in a smaller area.
Soil Composition: A Slight Deviation
The only challenge we encountered was the compost, which was packaged in 40 lb. bags, roughly equivalent to one square foot. Additionally, we found vermiculite to be relatively expensive and opted for a slightly reduced amount, compensating with a greater proportion of compost. While proponents of square foot gardening typically advise against such deviations, our friend’s successful harvest with a similar approach gave us confidence. We are optimistic that our adjusted soil composition will yield equally positive results.
Curbly
Our final order consisted of:
- 6 – 2-cu. ft. bags of vermiculite – 12 cubic feet total
- 6 – 3-cu. ft. bags of peat moss – 18 cubic feet total
- 20 – 40 lb. bags of compost – approximately 20 cubic feet
To ensure thorough mixing, we combined one bag of vermiculite, one bag of peat moss, and two to three bags of compost at a time. This process, while time-consuming and physically demanding, proved to be the most effective method for achieving a homogenous soil mixture.
Protecting Your Harvest: PVC Piping and Bird Netting
Once the soil was prepared, we attached 1-inch PVC piping to each corner of the beds, creating a framework for a protective tent using 1/2-inch PVC pipes. We then covered the framework with bird netting to deter squirrels and other animals from feasting on our developing vegetables. This simple yet effective barrier provides a crucial layer of protection, safeguarding your hard work and ensuring a bountiful harvest.
Curbly
Installing PVC piping to create an archway with netting to deter snacking animals.
Planting with Precision: Embracing the Square Foot Method
The square foot gardening philosophy proved invaluable during the planting phase. We visually divided our beds into 16 squares each and adhered to the planting guidelines associated with each vegetable variety. For instance, we allocated one square foot per tomato plant and planted 16 carrots per square. This methodical approach ensures optimal spacing and resource allocation, maximizing the potential yield of each plant.
Laying out our plants according to the Square Foot Gardening method.
Our garden features a diverse selection of vegetables, including tomatoes, carrots, arugula, sugar snap peas, asparagus, various peppers, lettuce, and herbs. We also established a dedicated strawberry patch in the lowest bed, enclosed by wire garden fencing. The majority of our vegetables were started from seedlings, with carrots and lettuce grown from seed.
Essential Garden Gear: Comfort and Protection
Gardening is an exercise in patience, requiring significant planning, planting, and ongoing maintenance. Having the right tools and equipment can make all the difference in terms of efficiency and enjoyment. Furthermore, wearing comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing is essential for long hours spent outdoors.
We partnered with Duluth Trading Co., a company renowned for its high-quality outdoor apparel. Their shirts with built-in air vents and pants with a comfortable rise provided exceptional comfort and sun protection while working in the garden. Having the right clothing can make a significant difference in your gardening experience, allowing you to focus on the task at hand without discomfort.
Here’s a glimpse of our “his-and-her” gardening ensembles:
Bruno is garden-ready in his DTC Armachillo shirt, Fire Hose Work Pants, and Contractor’s Moc Toe Boots.
Alicia is happily planting in her DTC Armachillo shirt, and Bogs Harper Garden Boots.
While specialized gardening attire is not a prerequisite for a successful garden, we found that comfortable and protective clothing significantly enhanced our overall gardening experience.
Our Harvest and Future Plans
Our raised-bed boulevard garden is still in its early stages, but we are brimming with optimism for a bountiful harvest. As our vegetables mature, we will provide updates on our progress and share insights gleaned from our ongoing gardening journey. We will closely monitor the growth of our plants, adjust our techniques as needed, and document our successes and challenges along the way.
We encourage you to share your own summer vegetable and fruit garden plans! What are your favorite crops to grow? Do you have any invaluable tips for planning and planting? Please share your wisdom and experiences in the comments below. We value your contributions and look forward to learning from your expertise.
This post was sponsored by Duluth Trading Company (who provided us with some cool gear to try out while we gardened). However, all opinions expressed are solely our own.