Economical Cedar Raised Beds for the Farm | PNW Zone 8b

Hello All, for many reasons, I wanted to convert a section of the farm to raised beds (back pain, kids, accessibility, beauty). When I first started looking at options, I was blown away with the cost and especially on the scale that I planned to build them. After much research, I finally realized that I could build raised beds out of fence boards (they are cheaper because they are often purchased- or so I guessed). Using my local cedar lumber mill, some rebar and a lot of work I think I found the perfect solution. This is part of a large plan for the farm so I wanted to share how I made them, costs and future plans for the raised beds. I hope this video was helpful and I hope the raised beds perform like I need them to, lol.
Happy New Year and Happy Gardening!!
#pnwgardening #raisedbeds #growingfood #smallfarm

[@kadydidsgarden]

Hello neighbor! I’m in the Portland, Oregon area and we built our raised beds out of cedar fence boards and they’re going strong at 7 years in this PNW weather/rain. We’ve treated them with some orange oil/beeswax but not every year honestly. Hope yours hold up well too! A few cross 2x4’s (attached to the vertical boards you already have in there) that connect the long sides across your growing beds may help keep them from bulging out further too! Thanks for the inspirational video! Excited for the joy your project will bring to you and others in the coming years! 🎉

[@user-wu3go9zt5x]

I live 30 minutes north of you! I keep checking your channel for new ideas this year!

[@EmilyTAYLOR-mo9xc]

I cant wait to see how much better that garden does this year! 🙂

[@reneee6016]

Looks great! So excited about the berries. 🍓

[@bamzapwhoosh]

you are so humble yet knowledgeable and inclusive - thank you for sharing all of this!! definitely helps me as I am using two new raised beds this year :D

[@Violetdelusions]

I recommend the "Florida weave" for tying up raspberries

[@redleo380]

Fantastic solution, hope it works!

[@kayceewhaa]

My dream too❤

[@kimberlyomeara5450]

Happy new year 🎉 nice looking beds. I'm so glad I found someone that does videos in my same growing zone. There aren't many that do videos on 8b. I got a galvanized raised bed for Christmas. It's my first raise bed can't wait to plant in it.

[@teresaswanson1850]

My raised beds in tall containers settled quite a bit. Not a problem in a bed for annual veggies because I can add to the container. It is a bit or an issue with perennial plants. They will sink down.

[@acseagravespopolla5048]

Happy new year! I'm interested to know how your eucalyptus did last year. I'm growing in the same region and starting to think about new projects for the upcoming season. 😍

[@catalina8677]

I live in WA. After 20 years of mediocre blueberry pickings, I started pouring my cold Woodstove ash around my plants. Huge difference.

[@Yarnnation]

I have a single raised bed made of these, it is shorter than yours, but I can tell you that the cedar started decomposing at year 8. I am in year 9 and they could be repaired (I am not repairing it, it now has plants surrounding it and will become a mound.). Oh, I am in Oregon, west of Portland.

[@DonnaMM6361]

Wonderful! Very attractive raised beds. We have used them for years, as we own a small cedar lumber yard. My husband spent 35 years as a general contractor and finish carpenter prior to starting the lumber business, so I am a bit spoiled. 😊 This year we did add galvanized screen under the bed frames to deter the infestation of voles that kept tunneling up into the beds. Hopefully that will keep them out. Happy New Year!

[@missmaziecat5058]

Happy New Year!!!!

[@twohomesteads6512]

Those beds look plenty big to plant down each side therefore doubling how many plants you can grow.

[@heidiroycroft9465]

It’s nice you built something pretty and functional!

[@quackersplatfarm]

The raised beds look great! They always give a clean and tidy look! I'm in western WA too, zone 8a and finally overwintered rosemary last year! I planted it under a porch roof that overhangs the porch by 3 feet or so. I think the constant wetness is what does them in. I guess I'll see if it survives this winter too.

[@EmilyTAYLOR-mo9xc]

its crazy how much more affordable things are down south. I live in BC and we sell an organic soil for $75/yard, we have a non organic option also thats like $65/yard. Whats in your three way blend?

[@charlenek.2853]

If I can make a suggestion, if your beds are not as loafy as you hope, and the boards not as easy to replace, why not just place new boards over the old boards? The old boards can continue to decompose, but they also protect your newer boards.