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Waste Not, Want Not: Creating a Raised Garden Bed out of Rubbish

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Gardening is not just about planting seeds and watching them grow; it’s also about making the most of what we have and fostering a sustainable lifestyle. One of the most rewarding aspects of gardening is the ability to upcycle materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, and turn them into functional and beautiful raised garden beds. To top it all off, composting organic material is the ultimate form of recycling; being able to transform kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil for your plants!

In this article, we’ll explore how you can creatively upcycle junk into a raised garden bed, then embrace the art of composting to fill the bed and nourish your garden.

Upcycling Junk into Raised Garden Beds

Upcycling is the process of taking discarded materials and giving them a new purpose, and it’s a fantastic way to enhance your gardening experience. Not only does it promote sustainability, but it also adds a unique character to your garden.

If you wander around my backyard you will find many upcycled pieces that I have managed to incorporate into my vegetable garden. My favourite would have to be my mother’s old rusty wheelbarrow. The rusty holes made it rather useless as a wheelbarrow but made perfect drainage holes once I planted it with strawberries!

By using materials that would otherwise go to waste, you can create raised beds that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Materials to Create an Upcycled Raised Garden Bed

Numerous everyday items can be transformed into raised beds. Here are some ideas for popular materials that work well:

  • Pallets: Wooden pallets are a versatile option for creating raised beds. With a bit of sandpaper and some wood sealant, you can easily repurpose them.
  • Old Furniture: Consider using old dressers or wooden crates. These not only provide structure but can also add a charming touch to your garden.
  • Tires: Old tires can be stacked and filled with soil, offering a rustic look while also serving as functional raised beds (In the past I’ve planted potatoes in a stack of tyres and it worked incredibly well come harvest time!)

 

When searching for materials, you could check local marketplaces, community groups, and your own garage. You might be surprised by what you can find!

Building Your Upcycled Raised Vegetable Garden Beds

Once you’ve gathered your materials, you’re onto building your raised beds. One of the beautiful parts of upcycling is you can never be quite sure what you are going to end up with or how the finished project is going to look. My advice is to simply start and see where your creativity takes you!

For those looking for a little guidance, here are a few tips to get started:

  1. Planning

    Determine the size and shape of your raised bed based on your available space. Measure your area and sketch out a design, ensuring easy access for watering and harvesting.

  2. Assembly

    Start assembling your materials. For pallets, lay them flat and secure them together. If using furniture, ensure it is stable enough to hold soil and able to withstand the weather.

  3. Safety Considerations

    Use untreated wood whenever possible, as treated wood may contain chemicals harmful to plants. Alternatively, line the inside of your bed with polythene plastic so the chemicals from treated wood won’t leach into your soil.

  4. Personal Touches

    Feel free to decorate your raised beds! Bright colours or stencilled designs can reflect your personality and enhance your garden’s appeal.

By upcycling materials into raised garden beds, you can save money while expressing your creativity and contributing to a greener planet.

Filling Your Raised Garden Bed

After establishing your raised bed, you’ll now need to fill it up! My biggest piece of advice is to always source the best quality soil you can, because the quality of your soil will have a huge impact on the health of your plants.

Depending on the size of your bed, a simple 50:50 mix of garden soil and compost is a great place to start. 

 

The Art of Composting

Composting is the ultimate form of recycling, it’s a vital practice that turns organic waste into valuable compost. Not only does this process enrich the soil in your garden but it can save so much organic waste from going to landfill. Learning how to make the best compost for growing vegetables is a straightforward process that anyone can incorporate into their gardening routine.

What Can Be Composted?

You can compost a variety of organic materials, including:

 

  • Kitchen Scraps: Fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, and stale bread are all excellent additions.
  • Yard Waste: Grass clippings, leaves, and small branches can be composted as well.
  • Other Organic Materials: Cardboard and non-glossy paper can also contribute to your compost mix.

 

Successful composting involves balancing “green” materials (high in nitrogen) with “brown” materials (high in carbon). For example, combining kitchen scraps with dried leaves creates a healthy compost mix. The recommended ratio of brown to green material is 60:40 as the brown matter helps to neutralise the smell.

 

Setting Up Your Compost Bin

You can choose from several options for composting. Here’s how to set up a compost bin at home:

  1. Choose a Location

    Select a well-drained area in your backyard that receives some sunlight to facilitate decomposition.

  2. Create Your Bin

    You can purchase a compost bin or use recycled pallets or wire fencing to create a simple homemade bin. Ensure there’s enough space for airflow, which is crucial for decomposition.

  1. Layer Your Materials

    Start layering your green and brown materials. Remember, roughly aim for a 60:40 ratio of brown to green materials. Remember to turn your compost regularly to aerate it and speed up the process.

  2. Monitor Your Compost

    Keep an eye on moisture levels. Your compost should feel like a damp sponge—not too wet and not too dry. Adjust by adding water or more green materials as necessary.

  3. Harvest Your Compost

    After a few months, you’ll have dark, crumbly compost ready to enrich your garden soil. Incorporate it into your raised garden beds for healthier plants and better yields.

  1. Layer Your Materials

    Start layering your green and brown materials. Remember, roughly aim for a 60:40 ratio of brown to green materials. Remember to turn your compost regularly to aerate it and speed up the process.

  2. Monitor Your Compost

    Keep an eye on moisture levels. Your compost should feel like a damp sponge—not too wet and not too dry. Adjust by adding water or more green materials as necessary.

  3. Harvest Your Compost

    After a few months, you’ll have dark, crumbly compost ready to enrich your garden soil. Incorporate it into your raised garden beds for healthier plants and better yields.

The Ultimate Combo: Upcycled Raised Beds and Composting

Upcycling and composting work beautifully together! By filling your upcycled raised garden beds with nutrient-rich compost, you create a thriving environment for your plants. The combination of recycled materials and organic compost not only enhances plant growth but also contributes to a sustainable gardening practice.

In conclusion, embracing upcycling and composting in your gardening journey allows you to make the most of what you have while nurturing the earth. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, these practices offer a way to cultivate a more sustainable and productive garden. So, let’s waste not and want not as we nurture our green spaces! Happy gardening!

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