raised garden beds

[GeneralSV]

I want to make some raised garden beds, so my garden looks more pleasing instead of a mess. This will be my first time and I have some questions. When making one, does it have to be right above soil or can I make it standing above cement or a few feet above ground with wood as its platform instead of ground?

 

[rosemarythyme]

You can have them right on the soil or completely elevated. I've never done the fully elevated ones but the main benefit is it puts it a more comfortable height to work with (esp if you have back problems), plus good drainage.

Building them right on the ground is probably cheapest and easiest.

IMO either type can look nice.

 

[GeneralSV]

You can have them right on the soil or completely elevated. I've never done the fully elevated ones but the main benefit is it puts it a more comfortable height to work with (esp if you have back problems), plus good drainage.

Building them right on the ground is probably cheapest and easiest.

IMO either type can look nice.

Thank you! If I have them elevated, what would you recommend to use as the platform?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Most of the commercial ones I've seen are cedar or fir. Examples:

https://www.gardeners.com/buy/plant...MIq6TDqMy26AIVqBitBh0OOgsyEAQYASABEgKMM_D_BwE
https://www.gardeners.com/buy/vegtr...MI_d7Nxcy26AIVguNkCh0f0wdmEAQYBCABEgIqbvD_BwE
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Best-Cho...MIt7Dq1sy26AIVk8hkCh0QbQp-EAQYDCABEgIlxPD_BwE

 

[chickenchicklady]

Make sure you get untreated wood (we used cedar fence posts because they’re untreated and they were the cheapest options). Ours are completely elevated on legs. (I have back issues) and I rather like it.