Any ideas on how to create a raised vegetable garden bed on a slanted backyard?

January 30, 2012 | Filed under: Gardening | Posted by:

raised bed gardening
Image by Annie Mueller
In progress: these aren’t exactly "raised" yet, but we’re moving in that direction.

Question by Stuck in the Middle Ages: Any ideas on how to create a raised vegetable garden bed on a slanted backyard?
We’d like to have a raised bed, but there’s a slant to the yard that would require one side be higher than another. I’d like to simply use a kit, but I’m not sure if that’s really feasible with the slant.

Thanks.

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4 Responses to Any ideas on how to create a raised vegetable garden bed on a slanted backyard?

  1. no matter what you do you have to end up with the surface of the raised bed level or you will have major water problems. have you considered using a old chest deep freezer as your raised bed? simply shim under it to get it level or dig it into the ground. put holes in the bottom for drainage and you are all set. lasts for years and can be painted to blend into the surroundings. just a thought.

    Rich M
    January 30, 2012 at 5:06 am
    Reply

  2. That is a brilliant idea by Rich M!!!! You can’t use the kit without leveling the ground or you will have water issues. Raised bed kits are great (I have several myself) but they need to lie flat. 🙁

    Jolly Roger
    January 30, 2012 at 5:57 am
    Reply

  3. I would simply dig in the high end until it’s level then fill in the raised bed with any amendments you choose. Your bed would then be flat. That would work as long as the slope is not too steep. For steeper slopes, position the bed sideways instead of perpendicular.

    cajundude1
    January 30, 2012 at 6:57 am
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  4. I have used untreated 4×4’s and 6×6’s leveled and stacked. Held together by drilling holes on each end approximately one foot from ends, and ran an iron rod through to hold together. The rod must be at least a foot deeper than bottom beam and cemented if possible. Then do the same to each side, staggering the beams to fit to the slope. If u dig into the dirt to create a level patch u will have erosion and water issues. Creating a three sided bed as described above is very productive and asthetic. If you need more directions let me know and I will send pics. Good luck.

    Blueyed
    January 30, 2012 at 7:00 am
    Reply

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