Why your raised bed garden must be leveled and why it’s so hard to do in Texas.

When you are planning your raised bed garden and where it will go in your yard, there are a few key attributes to look for when picking the best location. I wont go into all of those here (although during our home consultations we do go into great depth on all these key attributes), but often the most level spot in the yard does not win out. Of course, all things equal, level should be sought after, but often it just isn’t possible. And sometimes a yard doesn’t have a very level spot. And more often than not, even the most level spot isn’t level enough. This is where the work of a professional team can really come in handy. Either that, or a LOT of elbow grease.

So why it is so important?

The top of the raised bed frame should be level on all sides going in all directions. It does not have to be perfect. But the more level the better. The number one reason why is for drainage. Water will pool at the low side of the bed and possibly drain too quickly at the high side. This will cause all types of issues with your plants, from dehydration to disease.

No big deal, right? Just level it out.

There are basically two ways to level, but more often you may need a combination of both. The first way is to clear all the top soil to prepare a level space. The second way is to build the bottom of the raised beds with a custom angle to ensure the top of the raised bed is level. We have done both, but greatly prefer the first option. By leveling the ground, you know there will not be run off or drainage issues on the inside of the beds at the base. This is especially important if the slope is steep. It also looks much nicer to have a level ground. In the cases of a hefty slope, a terraced technique might be preferred between beds, making each individual one level, as in the picture to the right. Either way, it can be very challenging and something you may consider hiring out even if you are the DIY type. The reason it’s so challenging is because our soil in central Texas is a very thin layer over a prehistoric sea bed made of limestone rock. In some places, especially closer to the hill country, you may only have a few inches before you hit this rock. This is why is takes a lot of hard work, and in some cases special tools, to get it out. Of course, for all our full service installations, all the ground prep is done for you so you know it’s done properly.

And this is why setting up your garden right is so important.

Set up only happens once. Unless you want to have major re-work every year or two (and who wants that?!), it’s important to get it set up in the right location for growth, with the right materials and design. This is the largest investment, but if done correctly will last for years to come.

When you are ready for the right set up with zero sweat, the first step is to book a consult and we will make it happen for you.