Step Up Your Garden: The Benefits of Garden Boxes

Spring has arrived. The days are longer, the air a touch warmer. Most importantly – it’s time to plant that Summer garden. Whether you plan to grow fresh, organic vegetables to enjoy around the table or a bed of gorgeous flowers that add a sweet smell to the air, every garden starts from the ground up.

When it comes to building the perfect garden, you have a few different options. Perhaps you have plentiful ground space full of fertile soil that enjoys uninterrupted sun for most of the day. However, if you live in Southern California, or anywhere where space is at a premium, that’s probably not the case. But not to worry, there’s a fantastic alternative to the traditional “in-ground” garden – the garden box. Also called a “raised garden bed,” it provides versatility, reliability and much more.

They’re easy. A garden box makes gardening simple. They’re easier to plant in, easier to water and easier to harvest than traditional gardens. They’re a great option for older gardeners, those with back issues, or anyone who would rather not kneel on the hard ground when tending to crops.

They’re weed-resistant. If flowers and vegetables grew as quickly and easily as weeds, gardening would be a cinch. Weeds can take over your garden before you know what’s happening. Due to height and strong wooden walls, garden boxes block pathway weeds and are less susceptible to invasion. 

They’re soil-friendly. Garden boxes sustain the quality of your soil by preventing it from being mixed with poor quality soil or compacting, as it would in the ground. Garden boxes also prevent soil from being washed away or contaminated during periods of heavy rain. 

You’ll enjoy higher yields – in smaller spaces. Every gardener wants high quality, plentiful yields. Garden boxes provide bigger, better yields in small spaces when compared to traditional garden rows. Bottom line: if you have limited space, a garden box will give you more bang for the buck.

Building Your Garden Box

Are you ready to start gardening above ground? Good! The next step is building your garden box. There are a few options when it comes to outdoor building materials for your garden. If you’re not keen on saws and drills, you can purchase an easy-to-assemble garden box kit. Or you can do it the old-fashioned way – build it yourself. All you need is a few simple tools (a saw, a drill and some screws to start) – and the right type of wood.

Choosing your outdoor building materials is the most important decision you’ll make when building a garden box. You’ll need something durable and dense that can brave the elements – but something clean and natural to ensure your garden is chemical free. 

Best Lumber Options for Building a Garden Box

Redwood is the most popular wood for garden boxes – and for good reason. Redwood is durable, natural and resistant to warping, rot and termites. It’s also gorgeous. Redwood is long-lasting, and can be easily and inexpensively restored.

Cedar is another great option for garden boxes – or any other outdoor building project. Like Redwood, it’s durable, resistant to bugs and decay. Cedar is also light – meaning you won’t have to drag heavy boards around when building your garden box. Cedar is also available in different varieties, including Western Red and Alaskan Yellow.

*Never use pressure-treated lumber for garden boxes. While it is sturdy and rot-resistant, it contains chemicals that can seep into your soil and ruin your crops. In fact, any lumber that has been treated with chemicals should never be used. This includes stains. Staining your garden box can create a gorgeous look, but don’t stain on the soil facing side of the box. Clean soil = clean crops. Never sacrifice looks for quality!

Now that you’ve got the basics, it’s time to get to work! Contact us to learn more about building a garden box for your house.