Raised Bed Gardens for Beginners - Planning, Soil Mix, and Planting Guide

[@epicgardening]

0:00 - Intro 0:23 - Planting 3:00 - Buying the Soil Mix 5:04 - Total Failure 5:17 - Adding Lining 5:34 - Soil Mix Explained and Filling Beds 6:48 - Watering Schedule Explained 7:15 - Tips for Transplanting Tomatoes 9:47 - Square Foot Gardening Planting Explained 12:45 - Direct Sowing Explained

[@epicgardening]

P.S. My friend was messing around with the chard vs. "shard" ;)

[@misbehavens]

Would have liked to know how much it cost for all those bags from Home Depot.

[@Wolf-E-Romeo]

Whats that bed? Other than "a raised bed" I've never seen one attatched like that with the corner pieces. That looks like it would be so much better than nailing things together.

[@Wolf-E-Romeo]

P.s. is it a cheaper/ more durable raised bed to use those types of beds? Or no?

[@rickyoswald]

@@Wolf-E-Romeo He has a video about building that raised bed called "The World's Easiest Raised Bed", and recently he did an update vid for it too.

[@janedoe-dy3rr]

I so needed a video like this. I'm just learning how to do all this stuff and seeing you show someone else that is also a beginner, is just like having a teacher of my own. It is very helpful, thank you.

[@beauch777]

I think it would be great if you did more videos like this, i.e. videos of you helping people who don’t know a lot but want to get into gardening. You could take them shopping and everything. If you take the show on the road, I could be your Waco, TX student. We could buy seeds at the silos from Chip and Jo :)

[@whatnow8362]

This was really cute how you were teaching them how to plant different plants and seeds.

[@lynnclendenin2988]

I did the square foot gardening four years ago. I was so precise measuring; on tomato per square foot. I made sure to put them in the exact center of each square. I had the prettiest plants and less than a dozen cherry tomatoes throughout the season! I was so disappointed. I’ve moved, and this will be my first year gardening at my new home. I going to do a modified square foot garden, but I’m definitely not putting the tomatoes so close!

[@exceptionaltalentspc4954]

Gotta love this video with boys doing gardening! So sweet!!

[@jennypittman2112]

I have to say I'm glad I found this channel. My zone is a 4 I get really cold winters and heavy snow. I have the blackest of thumbs. A lot of the tips on here have helped immensely. I actually will have tomatoes this year and even eggplant! Thank you.

[@juliehill8506]

They are so lucky to have you as a friend and living close by so that you can help them get started. Wish I had someone is knowledgeable as you as a friend to help me as I’m getting started. But I’m loving the

[@gardencookeat22]

Mixing the soil by hand is the best part!!

[@joujimiichi1]

I’m so jealous that you have buddies to garden with. None of my homies want to get their hands dirty….

[@antfrm2093]

Same over her brother

[@Sheenifier]

Dirt is the problem?

[@BarbaraEMarshallCampbell]

Time to add some new, different homies with gardening buddy interests.

[@AnitasPomeranians]

Same with me😢

[@jdone7619]

They don’t make men like they use too.

[@emilyjs5970]

This video was soo helpful, I’m a beginner gardener I went out purchased a lot of seeds and a planter box. I definitely take your advice and keeping small and planting what I actually like it’s the soils that I’m not struggling with but this video helps out!

[@christinemonell1092]

I cannot thank you enough for this video. This is EXACTLY what I want to do in my yard

[@justingall9823]

I liked this format. Conversations and questions answered some of my own questions.

[@Monicahernandez-xk7uq]

Best video I’ve seen. Thank you so much for the every detail

[@bgsaigal]

You must do a follow-up video with the plants fully grown up; it would really look nice.

[@epicgardening]

Definitely will!

[@jolenee1914]

@@epicgardening Is there a follow-up video? I would love to see it. Just transplanted a whole lot of seedlings I've grown from seed into my very first vegetable garden and I'm terrified I'll kill them all. Watched so many of Kevin's videos which have really helped. Absolute newbie over here!

[@sarahno4748]

Is there a pic of this all grown up?:)

[@capsaiyan]

@@jolenee1914I’m thinking pests probably got to everything 😂

[@KCSmith1]

Hello! Say i bought this book...URBAN GARDENING. Imagine my surprise to find you are the author! Lots of good ideas for my small space.

[@michelles1517]

So sweet teaching your friends how to garden. Love it!

[@prayeropensdoor1050]

I so needed this video! Thanks, ♥️ from 🇨🇦

[@britneyalyssa1314]

its nice to see you work with "beginner" gardeners so I can see you correct mistakes that I would probably make.

[@popvision8857]

love love LOVE this video!! the hands-on!

[@homestar118]

So I’m just getting into gardening, I’ve had my jalapeño plant for about a month now and I kinda really wanna set up a bed! Its a lot of info, all these soils and composts to mix together for the perfect mix, but I really wanna know how to plan for what plants. And how to build the walls for a raised bed! Its exciting! I may just have to invest in your book!

[@catherinemoseley9206]

Thank you for the informative video. In my 50 years of organic gardening, repeatedly digging out Bermuda grass and sending it to the landfill is the only way to totally get rid of it. That said, I have found that planting Allusium on the borders seems to keep Bermuda grass out of my beds. I haven't followed up, but it seems that Allusium may have a chemical inhibitor that Bermuda doesn't like and the flowers are great beneficial attractors. Thanks again.

[@prayforthenations8658]

I really enjoyed watching this. I wish more people had little gardening courses locally.

[@TerraceGarden]

Really a Nice or helpful video for new gardeners keep it up dear bro ..

[@epicgardening]

Thank you my friend! Glad you enjoyed the video 😊

[@TerraceGarden]

Epic Gardening yah dear we are the friend

[@bekahb4702]

When it hits the one month mark you should do a follow up video to show how the plants are doing :)

[@epicgardening]

Will do!

[@xXxAtkinsxXx]

@@epicgardening did you do a follow up?

[@xio7572]

Thank you there are a lot of videos on seed starting and care but I’m a visual learner so this answer questions I have when it comes putting my plants out.

[@mattysamsonmusic]

Oh no!! Boys you crossed out tje correct spelling of chard!

[@epicgardening]

Haha, I know - he was being a bit of a clown for the camera ;)

[@kathleensabre589]

I hear you, I was like Nooooo.

[@TinaShinn]

Lol, you miss spelled “the” 😂

[@marypatlaipple5696]

I love your channel! It’s been a great help for my garden 🙌🏻

[@kingbernard_30]

I wish I have homies to do gardening with just like you :(

[@builtsubarusti7408]

Very smart dude. Awesome video, really hels the novice like myself get started! Especially the sun up and taller plants in front. Never would jabe thought of that

[@Mr.Truesdale95]

4:20 dude looks blazedddd haha

[@katdenning6535]

I’m trying to start a new garden, this was very helpful information

[@dollysingh2456]

i realy like to watch gardening video of yours very interesting realy get to know the right way to do gardening and save money thanks to give people good and smart way of growing prodeuced

[@cjlemky4293]

can you please provide your recipe for the soil - how much of each or the ratios? Thanks - total beginner here

[@ilive4anime.]

He has video on that already

[@emm_bee]

5:36

[@chantalbarney9748]

I’m wondering the same. I’ve watched the video a few times and it looks like only half the bag of top soil is used between both beds. He walks away with it. IDK It also never shows one of the composts going in nor does it show is the rest of the bags after that point.

[@RodeoCowgirl-1955]

Thanks for showing us

[@ltlbnsgarden]

Great video! I wish this was available to me when I started lol 😂

[@epicgardening]

Hahaha, I know right? Part of this whole KZbin thing is just making videos I wish I knew a long time ago

[@zagrosbahoz3062]

Every time he said "Shard" I wanted to come inside the video and give him a smack on the back of his head. 😂😂😂

[@epicgardening]

Trust me, so did I. What a clown!

[@chriserony]

In so glad you made this video. I live in California too and bought that same garden soil & manure, but got the "soil ammendment" bags instead of peat moss. Basically would be making a garden box with 70% different varieties of compost. Going to go back and grab the peatmoss and vermiculite!

[@jenniferbalesteri2810]

Swiss Chard…..thanks for the info!

[@entwine14]

This is so great Epic Man! LOL! Thank you ! Starting mine this year.

[@knyred2366]

Curious when & how you incorporated the manure? I noticed how you mixed the soil & you mentioned Vermiculite & Perlite ratio but not the manure?

[@shasmi93]

I will subscribe to your channel because I heard Puscifer in the background. Respect was earned here today.

[@daylife13]

For the soil break down is it basically one part peat moss, one part ( garden soil and manure) and one part ( vermiculite and perlite)

[@melanieallen8980]

Lots of great info!! thankyou!😊

[@drewsenthused6079]

Cool to see the whole process! 👍

[@wellwellwell329]

Great job, good info thank you!! And hot Eaton's Ranch shirt. Good to see in the "wild". Our family has been going since the '50s.. Great place.

[@Ruvana]

Hi, your video was very helpful. I have a question, did you end up adding all or some of cow and chicken manure to the first bed. I just saw peat moss, perlite and steer manure. I am very new to soil mixes. Ty

[@brandiesuarez]

I’m trying to get the right soil for my raised garden. I bought top soil from star nursery and Kellogg from Home Depot and I don’t know what else I need with those two.

[@ThatGardener]

Nice learned how to make bed - was quite scared on how to do it. Thanks.

[@mattmitchell7350]

Five years later. Can we get an update on this garden?

[@matthew7491]

I am going to be putting some raised beds on a decomposed granite surface. Sand -> gravel -> rocks -> dirt underneath. Can I pop the raised bed right on top or should I break down the layers underneath for more access to the soil?

[@CreatureGirlInc]

If it drains water through just fine I dont see why not.

[@filipaleal]

Thanks. Great video. Just a question. How deep are that raised beds? Don´t the tomatoes need a deeper bed to grow? how deep, minimum do you think it needs to growing tomatoes in containers? Thanks a lot

[@jgehbinv]

Question - At 6:08 in this video, you put a liner in the bottom of the bed before dumping the bags in the bed?

[@purplerain4062]

How much ratio of vermiculite/perlite/compost did you use?

[@TheBrewingMiner]

Don’t know if anyone is seeing this after a year since this video being published, but I am getting a new Birdie’s Tall Raised Garden Bed. We’ll be reusing soil from our last bed but it compacts (which thankfully my dad is on board with fixing that). How much vermiculite, perlite, and/or compost is recommended for a growing medium such as ours? The bed will be approximately 5ft x 2ft x 2 1/2ft 63”x23.6”x30” (inches) LxWxH Thank you in advance 😊

[@epicgardening]

Nice, where did you get it from?! You'll want to do a LxWxH calculation, then turn that number into cubic feet, then use a recipe like: 60% topsoil 30% compost 10% organic matter

[@TheBrewingMiner]

Thanks!

[@TheBrewingMiner]

Now that I have stopped procrastinating I got an idea about a soil containing coco coir for organic matter, and compost as a topsoil if I can convince my dad, with vermiculite/perlite. Not a final though, susceptible to change Edit: I am close to convincing him to build a new soil instead of reusing. The word “cheap” got his attention 😂

[@beautifullove6198]

Love your video

[@mardonoful]

Hello! Thanks so much for all this! Question on the wood - it looks like pressure treated lumber. I have some but I've been reluctant to use for beds because I keep hearing it's treated with toxic chemicals and should be avoided for vegetables. Your take? Ok to use?

[@Filbie]

To me it looks like cedar which is totally ok to use and rot resistant.

[@janohdegroot989]

I learned that the gathering of peat moss distroyes valuable landscapes. Maybe better use coconut than?

[@ilive4anime.]

I forgot where I saw that both are bad for one way or the other. But both have some sort of environmental impact.

[@janohdegroot989]

@@ilive4anime. Good Point! Peat moss is formed in hundreds of years, coconut grows fast. Destroying forests for coconuttrees is bad to, but normaly a coconut from an existing tree is no problem. The problem is perhaps that we want to make earth that is exactly the right amount of ingredients.. Nature does not work like that, so we are stealing from it anyway.. maybe we should stop that than..

[@ilive4anime.]

@@janohdegroot989 it all depends on where you source it from but we can never be too sure

[@janohdegroot989]

@@ilive4anime. Yes, that is true.. that is possible for coconut, not for peat moss, I'm affraid..

[@Tinyteacher1111]

Thanks! I had no idea! I haven’t used it, but I sure won’t now!

[@jmloloken2391]

Just jumped on your video...any chance y remember how much products cost to fill the beds? Ballpark will do? 2022 I'll multiply by ....?? Idk 5000 to get an idea🤭🥴🥴

[@ninemoonplanet]

Coir is far better considering peat moss is removed from peat bogs, damaging the water table from where they cut peat. Coir comes from coconut plants, renewable, peat moss takes decades to regrow if it grows at all.

[@sozov.1102]

Watching 2021 covid. 9:10 go deeper 😄 2040 still going deeper

[@jenm4137]

I have a question for gardens or boxed gardens like this. Each year do you want to plant 🌱 the same plant in the same spot or switch it up? For example they planted the tomato 🍅 plants in the back would want they do that the next year?I have heard all different things!

[@briannaancheta]

Love it! im building a garden bet thats 2.2 ft in width and 6 ft in length, what are the measurements for all of the soil ingredients?thanks!

[@scottwoodruff8110]

What depth?

[@briannaancheta]

Scott Woodruff hi Scott I actually already filled it up. I do have another concern, I planted strawberries, snap peas, onion, spinach, lettuce, & zucchini all together is that okay? Lol

[@scottwoodruff8110]

I am in central Florida so I don't know abour other zones. It should be fine as long as they are not over crowded or taller plants dont shade others out. My plans for building one this year were shelved this year because of Corona lockdown and some thing I need are hard to get. Oh well. Lol

[@srinivasprabhu4027]

Once we fill up the raised bed in the said ratio, is adding just the compost in later stages sufficient or do we need to add the inorganic material as well?

[@vonplatten4436]

Am I crazy? I've replayed this video like three times and I didn't see them do anything with all the manure!!! When do I mix it in?!?! What do I do with it?!

[@AnimusZen]

I think we all know deep down that Chad & Todd's garden is going to fail unless Kevin routinely visits to help them out. You could hear in his voice and see in his eyes he knows it too. Fun and funny to watch!

[@gcolonius8270]

That’s Shad😂

[@steffish]

Thumbs up for the choice of music in the background!

[@elijahwu4168]

One of the types of soil you used I used as well! It must be good

[@epicgardening]

;)

[@abbyzelinski8564]

What type of wood are you using for your raised beds? Thanks!

[@kiahhooks7384]

Hi There. At Timestamp 6:08 it shows the raised garden beds and what looks like two pieces of wood stacked. Did you have to do anything to seal the two pieces of wood or did you just stack them using the Wall Block corner pieces? Thank you!

[@jimmazing]

Any pointers for building a raised bed on a concrete patio?

[@windyphamhp]

Can you share a list of products you bought?

[@tinacaraballo3651]

This was so cute. Wish i was there lol

[@BeelineGal]

Kevin what is the math to figuring out soil ratios? I'm ditching my pots and making a tower planter with peppers on top and cucumbers on the bottom (hoping the peppers provide some shade) ..... I've used regular potting mix in my fabric pots and it's not going well

[@patriotgirl6843]

My plants are dying, and we used organic soil from Lowes. Friend told me to fertilize so I used fish fertilizer she recommended and they still got more yellow. We added Rod one salts, and stopped watering. Then Added compost a friend recommended and worms. I'm lost and don't know what to do. I'm in the Temecula valley not far from you. Help!!!!

[@Blossomandbranch]

Sounds like too much fertilizer and salinity! Try rinsing your soil with water and plant a spring cover crop if possible!

[@jgehbinv]

What is the mix for containers, specifically for raising tomatoes in containers?

[@nam1418]

Kevin, Would you please share with me the recipe of mixing? I'm just started gardening. Thank you for sharing.

[@AnimusZen]

Depends on your soil, but 50% soil, 40% compost, 10% worm casings/manure is a good rule of thumb to get started. After a while you'll have worms and then you only need to add new compost for them to break down. EDIT: This video they put a tarp under the raised beds. Unless they are in a terrible location soil wise, this isn't recommended. It blocks worms from coming in, which most soils should have plenty of.

[@rockjock32492]

Loved the video! It was 15 minutes long but it felt quicker because I was excited to watch. I am a beginner and have been planning to do a similar style 'build' to this. Is there anything special about the wood used for the raised bed?

[@rockjock32492]

Oops, sorry I didn't read the comments where you mentioned the cedar 2x6

[@epicgardening]

Go with untreated cedar, BTW. Best not to risk potential leaching if you can avoid it! And thanks for the kind words. This was a test video, I know it was a bit long but the goal was to show beginners a really easy entry point into starting to grow some of your own food :)

[@rockjock32492]

Epic Gardening I can't speak to the rest of your viewerbase, but I enjoyed the length, and didn't see a problem. As long as you continue to edit it and toss in some music, I'm game. Is the best thing to help your channel by sharing the video and telling friends?

[@epicgardening]

Definitely! Word of mouth is absolutely huge for KZbin, I really appreciate that!

[@angies9834]

I'm curious about the landscaping sheeting that you put in the bottom of the beds? Won't that block the roots from being able to go deep into the ground?

[@Mangolite]

It looks like the beds are hollowed through, and the ground is nothing but rocks. The landscape sheets will prevent the roots from going to the rocks and possibly ruins them if the homeowners/renters decided to move the beds, no damage is done.

[@PrismRiot420]

Newbie gardener here. I want to put raised beds on concrete. Are there any considerations i need to take when doing that?

[@meganlauren86]

Can you plant marigolds sitting beside the bed in separate plant pots, or do they have to be planted inside the bed with your tomatoes to successfully help with pests? @Epic Gardening

[@LonnieMartin]

Marigolds stop organisms that attack the roots…best to plant with the tomatoes

[@coolingwinds]

I think this is a good question. Too bad no response.

[@kogumak.2390]

Is potting soil already mixed or do you need to find something that says like plain soil?

[@Ruvana]

Hi, thank you for sharing this video. It was very helpful. How much of each of those bags should be added, I have 2.5 ft by 6 ft bed, about 8" inch deep. Appreciate your response.

[@grumpybear123]

How many cubic feet would you say these beds added up to? Sorry if I missed it in the video!

[@creightonbright1734]

Kevin, it looks like you're using Pressure Treated 2x6's? I thought pressure treated lumber was bad for plants - the chemicals they use to treat the lumber, that is. Can you clarify? Thanks!

[@chrissanford5724]

How high do you fill the containers? Can I fill it and leave 3 inches from dirt to the top??

[@m7amedk]

Helpful 🙏💜💜

[@epicgardening]

Glad to hear!

[@Sabrina-ll7lc]

Could I use that mixture for pots… ?

[@dwrecktheanimal]

Years late on this post.. but those rotating composters are nice ways to quickly mix homemade soil.

[@ptypablo]

How do you build that bed? Are the boards just being held together by those stones?

[@donucha]

Yes. You can by the stones at HD Andy he boards just slide right in,

[@MariaOrtiz-ee8bz]

What type of wood was used to build the raised bed and the sizes?

[@Heisdaone]

What stain do you recommend for the Beds ?

[@nicholasnicoloff873]

Hey man, im doing cedar raised beds. Four 4x4 and four 4x12 beds. How deep should i set my posts?

[@AnimusZen]

6-8 inches is fine for small beds, but if you have the ones waist high you may want to go a full foot.

[@RecoverWithCBT]

Great video!!! Is it really 3 kale per square? The book says 1 but I’m happy to be tighter.

[@ashleylennon1829]

I have three bags of steer manure on hand, would I be losing quality if I omitted the chicken manure entirely?

[@joeyg7458]

does the plastic liner have holes in them to drain the water?

[@deetuphill9623]

Can any one tell me as a beginner what soils I need to buy at home depot to start of with my first bed.. thanks in advance

[@GirlMomma]

Great question! That's exactly what I'm trying to find the answer to! If I find out I will come back and let you know.

[@deetuphill9623]

@@GirlMomma thanks

[@lashawndapritchett1358]

Hello Epic Gardening, How would i fill a 4ft x4ft raised bed I current;y have pet moos black cow manure last year soil and vermiculite and compost manure also. Can you help me out. 2nd year gardener. I'm from Cleveland Ohio zone 6a I have plastic raised beds 3 4ft x4ft raised beds. Please advise. Thanks Shawnda

[@jasonbean7296]

What an interesting idea! I'm very ground up, an acolyte of both biodynamics and permaculture, so this isn't an approach I would take. Still, I see the value for a beginner. Thanks for sharing!:)

[@epicgardening]

I hear you my friend! Different approaches for those at different parts of their journey. If this can get someone started, then maybe their ears would open to a permaculture / biodynamic approach. Going from 0-100 is overkill for most people, so baby steps really have power :)

[@jasonbean7296]

Epic Gardening, understood.:)

[@epicgardening]

I knew you got me!

[@Josef_R]

Looked a lot bigger on paper. I'm tripling my 32x4 plot because it's not producing enough for just me.