An indoor vegetable garden box makes an engaging project for both kids and adults alike, storing soil at an accessible height without risking trampling plants.
Most vegetables need at least 1 foot of soil in which to flourish, so choose an organic compost and topsoil mix for your garden bed filler.
Build the Box
Vegetable Garden Boxes Are Fun and Rewarding Projects for the Entire Family! Vegetable garden boxes provide an enjoyable way to grow vegetables in places where in-ground gardening may be challenging or impossible, while making it easier for young children to tend the garden without too much strain on their backs.
Vegetables like tomatoes, herbs and carrots can be grown successfully in raised beds planted with soil composed of 60 percent topsoil, 30 percent compost and 10 percent potting mix – which can be adjusted based on desired plants’ needs.
Roger created his box from rot-resistant cedar, which is safe for edible plants and will age gracefully into an attractive silvery gray hue as time goes on. To prepare, he removed grass beneath and tilled the ground beneath, then added soil mix before building 10 feet long bed for himself; but you can tailor yours as per space or budget requirements.
Raised beds must be constructed as solidly as possible to withstand heavy plants and their roots, so using a level to ensure wood is straight before nailing it together is key in avoiding warping or cracking as the bed settles. Lining it with hardware cloth or weed cloth to protect from gophers and raccoons while controlling weed growth may also be useful.
Garden boxes should have soil that measures at least 8 inches deep for most vegetables to thrive, although deeper is often better. Low leafy vegetables like lettuce, basil and cilantro can be planted into 6 inches of soil while tomatoes, peppers and carrots require 12 or more. Kale, cucumbers and zucchini thrive when given 18 or more depth of soil.
Raised beds offer year-round plant cultivation thanks to being shielded from frost and snow. If you live in milder climates, window boxes make an excellent place for growing vegetables during the summer as they offer sun, warmth and shelter.
Fill it with Soil
Your family can experience the satisfaction of harvesting fresh carrots from their garden, or picking juicy tomatoes off of the vine! It’s an excellent family activity that teaches children where their food comes from while raising beds allow you to grow an assortment of veggies with much easier maintenance than an in-ground plot.
If you plan to grow edibles in a raised garden bed, ensure it is at least 1 foot (30 cm). Although deeper beds tend to work best for most vegetables. Also choose an area with full sun; many vegetables thrive when planted against south-facing walls. Your garden bed should also be close to its water source as herbs and tomatoes require frequent water replenishment.
Roger and his family constructed this bed out of rot-resistant cedar wood, which will look beautiful for years. You could also choose any other kind of lumber but be wary if choosing pressure-treated varieties as many contain toxic chemicals which could leech into groundwater supplies and possibly poison your plants.
Starting by unscrewing one short side of your box and filling it using a wheelbarrow with soil/compost mix, continue filling until 2 to 3 inches from the top frame has been reached before levelling it off.
Avoid walking across your garden bed as this compacts the soil, depriving it of oxygen and moisture needed by vegetables. Furthermore, add heavy materials, like rocks or bricks, sparingly as these could damage its structure and compromise its success.
Vegetables can be easily grown in a raised bed constructed of durable material like cedar that won’t warp over time. You can plant an assortment of edible plants like lettuce, peppers and tomatoes; additionally you may try planting peas or beans with bamboo canes or an obelisk supporting their growth as they mature.
Plant
One of the greatest pleasures in gardening is producing your own fresh produce and herbs from seeds you planted yourself. And with growing concerns over supermarket produce and pesticide use, now is the perfect time to try your hand at growing them yourself – even in small gardens! A vegetable planter box makes this easy and practical.
Vegetables require plenty of sunlight, so position your raised bed where it will get the maximum exposure for optimal results. Here, the bed measures 10 feet long but can be any length suitable to your space needs; make sure that reaching the middle easily allows you to weed and harvest without disturbing roots or compacting soil.
Garden boxes should have at least an 8-inch depth, though you can tailor it further based on your personal preference. As most vegetables require rich soil mixes for optimal growth, consider filling it with 60 percent topsoil, 30 percent compost and 10 percent potting mix as a basic recipe; tomatoes require even richer mixes than this for optimal success.
Once your frame is constructed, place it in an area of your garden where you will be able to weed and harvest without walking on the bed itself. Secure its sides using stakes hammered into the ground on each side; make sure these stakes reach all the way through to secure it during planting or watering activities.
Alternatively, if you live in an apartment without access to a yard, window boxes offer another great way to grow vegetables. They will produce an abundance of herbs, tomatoes and cucumbers during summer and some beans (requiring support such as bamboo canes or trellises for climbing) during winter.
Water
Winter-wise, window planter boxes provide frost hardy vegetables like cabbages and brassicas with sun, warmth, shelter and regular irrigation from rainfall or the hosepipe; during the warmer months however, planters on sunny ledges or conservatory benches provide all that they need for tomatoes, herbs and salads to thrive – while in turn helping conserve water!
Watering your garden using a soaker hose is an efficient and straightforward method, enabling you to water on a consistent schedule without overwatering. Drip irrigation systems can also be installed into planters so your plants will receive regular irrigation; timers can even be attached so you have full control over when and how long plants receive their irrigation.
Fill your vegetable planter with high-quality compost mix or topsoil; 50 percent screened topsoil mixed with 50 percent organic compost or potting soil typically works well for most vegetables; some, like tomatoes, require richer soil mixtures.
Make sure that when adding new soil, it does not compact, which could damage its structure and limit aeration. Also when watering, spray the soil rather than dribble the water as this can disturb roots and lead to overwatering. It is also essential that gardens receive consistent amounts of water throughout their growing cycle; rainwater is always preferable over tap water as its lack of chlorine and other chemicals makes it healthier for vegetables.