Just got a new garden bed to install and assemble. It’s 14″ deep. How deep should I insert the bed into the ground? I’m thinking I will need to attach hardware cloth on the bottom inside and along the outside to prevent vermin from burrowing under or in. Looking to plant garlic in it to overwinter.
by Sausey14
4 Comments
I put cardboard down and put the bed right on the ground. Fill with compost. Works great for me. Why sink it in?
I’m not sure why you would want to sink it at all. Most people will just put them on top of the existing ground.
Do you have a significant problem with digging types of vermin where you live? I don’t, but my husband lined the beds with chicken wire cause he heard it was a good idea. 10 or 15 years later I redid the beds and was left dealing with partially rusted metal. It was difficult to unbury it because they shovel would keep hitting the wires, and pulling it up was hard because it kept tearing where it was rusted. Sharp points were everywhere. I wouldn’t do hardware cloth unless there is a definite need for it.
I don’t sink them at all, because having soil around the base of your boards (especially wet soil) will rot them much faster than having them up and able to dry out in the air.
Plus, sinking them somewhat defeats the purpose of raising them in the first place.
I highly recommend a thick layer of cardboard down first, then fill the beds wirh a quality mix of compost and loam. I have been using this method successfully for many years. Have fun and good luck!