How to Fill Raised Garden Beds Cheaply

Raised bed gardening has many advantages. It solves problems such as poor soil quality and drainage, reduces stress on your back during gardening activities, and provides better pest control. However, the process of creating and filling these raised beds can often be very expensive and time-consuming, especially when dealing with multiple beds or larger beds. As experienced gardening supply manufacturers, we've put together a comprehensive list of cheap and effective ways to help you fill your planting beds.

1. Get sawdust from a carpenter friend

If you have a friend or acquaintance who works in the carpentry industry, don't hesitate to ask them for their discarded sawdust. Sawdust can be a great filler for your raised garden beds. It improves the soil structure, making it more porous and allowing for better air circulation and water penetration. In addition, it has excellent moisture retention properties, which is essential for keeping your plants properly hydrated. It forms a protective layer over the soil, keeping it warm and insulating your boxes from temperature fluctuations.

Sawdust is also a valuable source of organic matter. As a natural mulch, it helps block sunlight and prevent weed seeds from germinating.

However, make sure the wood you use does not contain any harmful chemicals or preservatives. Treated wood can have a negative impact on the health of your plants and the quality of your soil.

Many gardeners are aware of Chip Drop. It's a service that connects homeowners and gardeners with local tree care companies. Sign up and they'll deliver free sawdust to your door, which can be a great addition to your garden beds.

2. Buy organic soil from local farms

Buying organic soil from local farms is a win-win situation. Not only is it an economical choice, but it also helps support local agriculture. Local farms often have high-quality soil that is rich in essential nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms promote nutrient absorption and enhance the overall health of your plants. A 40-pound bag of topsoil usually costs between $2 and $8. Buying in bulk can get you better deals. Some farms even offer delivery services. When choosing soil for your garden beds, it's recommended to choose one that's specifically for the type of plants you plan to grow. This way, you can ensure that your plants will have an ideal growing medium from the start.

3. Utilize straw and fallen leaves

Straw and fallen leaves are two resources that are easily available in most environments and can be used in a smart way to fill your planter boxes. Straw has excellent insulating properties and helps regulate soil temperature, keeping the soil warm in the cold months and cool in the hot season. It also acts as a natural inhibitor of weed growth. You can spread straw on the soil surface or mix it with existing soil to improve drainage and aeration.

Fallen leaves, on the other hand, are a source of organic matter. Collecting them in the fall and allowing them to decompose over time can provide valuable nutrients to the soil. To speed up the decomposition process, you can chop up the leaves before adding them to your raised garden beds. This way, they can be converted into nutrient-rich compost more quickly, further improving the fertility of your raised bed.

4. Use food scraps wisely

Don't underestimate the potential of food scraps to enrich your garden. Rather than simply discarding them, consider incorporating them into your raised beds in an appropriate way. Vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells and similar kitchen waste are rich in nutrients.

You can bury these food scraps directly in your raised garden beds ahead of time and let them decompose naturally in the soil, or create a dedicated compost pile using a compost bin. However, be aware that meat, dairy or oily foods can attract unwelcome pests such as rodents and flies, and may also emit unpleasant odors.

5. Get compost from horse stables

Horse stables are an often overlooked, but very valuable source of compost. Manure and bedding from horse stables compost and convert nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, key nutrients for healthy plant growth.

Before using compost in your raised beds, it is important to make sure it is properly aged and fully composted. Using fresh or improperly composted manure can lead to a phenomenon called "burning" your plants, where high levels of ammonia and other compounds in fresh manure can damage or even kill your plants. You can often get compost from horse stables at a relatively low cost, and in some cases, you can even get it for free if you are willing to take on the responsibility of transporting the compost yourself.

In addition to these specific methods, it's also worth keeping an eye on community notice boards, browsing online classifieds, and engaging with local gardening groups. People often offer or sell used gardening supplies at a discount. You might stumble across some real treasures, such as old pots, gardening tools that are still in good working order, or even bags of soil that you never used up.

By utilizing these simple and easy methods, you can fill your raised flower beds with nutrient-rich material while keeping your expenses to a minimum. Not only will this save you money, but it will also allow you to create a vibrant, healthy, and productive environment for your plants to thrive. So try these tips and get ready to be delighted by the beauty and bounty your garden will bring!