Spring has sprung and that means it’s time to pull out your sun hat and trowel and get your hands dirty in the garden. If you’ve always wanted to grow your own vegetables, this is the perfect time to make it happen. Here is a step by step guide to building your own raised timber vegetable garden.

Step 1. Pick your spot and prepare the area

Think carefully about where you want to build your vegetable garden. Most vegetables need at least 5 hours of sun a day so find a spot that gets lots of direct sunlight. You’ll also need a relatively flat surface. Once you’ve picked a spot, remove the top layer of grass and cover this area with a layer of newspaper or a weed mat to stop weeds from growing up into your garden bed.

Step 2. Select your timber

You’ll need four pieces of timber for each side of the vegetable garden, and four timber posts. The size of the timber will depend on how big you want your garden bed to be. The ideal width of a vegetable garden bed is about 1.2 metres so you can reach the middle of the bed without stepping on the soil. The length of the bed should be roughly double this. The height of the bed should be between 15cm to 30cm. If you are planting root crop 30cm is ideal. The four corner posts should be a little longer than the height of the timber.

Step 3. Prepare the timber using Diggers Timber Products

Before you build the frame for your garden bed, you’ll need to prepare the timber. If you are reusing or repurposing timber, give it a clean first. Once the timber has been cleaned treat the sides that will be facing inside the garden bed using Diggers Eco In-Ground Timber Protecta. This product will protect the timber against moisture and deterioration. It is also non-hazardous and certified for use on organic farms so it is perfect to use on your vegetable garden frame.

Step 4. Screw the timber together

Screw the pre-cut and pre-treated timber to the four corner posts using decking screws. The corner posts help keep the bed sturdy and will stop the timber from bowing out from the pressure of the soil.

Step 5. Fill the garden bed with soil

Ensure optimum growth for your garden bed by filling it with a 50/50 mix of nutrient-rich compost and high-quality topsoil. You can also prepare your soil with slow release fertiliser pellets and water crystals to boost the nutrients in the soil and retain moisture in the warmer months.

Step 6. Plant your seedlings

Now the fun part! Planting what you want to grow in your new garden. If you are not sure where to begin, we recommend starting with some commonly used herbs such as parsley, mint and coriander and some spring vegetables such as lettuce, carrots and tomatoes.

Building a vegetable garden is a fun outdoor activity the whole family can enjoy. Not only that, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of having a variety of fresh ingredients growing in your very own backyard. Use Diggers Eco In-Ground Timber Protecta to ensure your timber vegetable garden lasts all year round.