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betsybiorn

Preparing Space for Raised Beds

I’m currently having four raised planter beds (without a bottom) built and planning to put them in this area. Obviously I’m going to remove the tree as it’s right in the middle. But the ground is also not level. I was thinking the easiest way to create a level surface for the beds would be to dig down along where the sides will go.
Any suggestions on how best to accomplish this?

Comments (9)

  • last year

    Is this for vegetables? And is the only place they can go? The surrounding trees could prove problematic, especially the birches at the end. Their roots are shallow and will be into your beds in no time.

  • PRO
    last year

    I would work around tree.



  • last year

    Yes this is the only place it can go, or rather the best. We have a large backyard but this gets the most sun.
    If there an edging tool that I can use to cut evenly into the ground?

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    "I would work around tree."

    The roots of trees spread far out from the trunk. Obviously you wouldn't keep a tree in a raised bed. But even if the trees are some distance away roots will find their way into the beds.

    You can cut into the ground with a spade.


  • last year

    Any plans for water?

  • last year

    I planted a river birch 18 feet from a bed surrounded by 6"x6" timbers. The bed extended another 24' away from the birch. Over the years plant growth declined even with plenty of water and nutrients, and the tree grew like a weed but didn't block the sun. I decided to do a deep turn of the soil with a double depth pitch fork turn to add amendments and hit nothing but thick massive birch roots the entire length over 40 feet away from the tree. The tree capitalized on the abundance of water and nutrients spreading as far and wide as the bed taking everything I put in. I dug out all the roots but they're back, but because I love my birch I would never cut it down.

    So floraluk2 is correct about birch roots, but the worst is cottonwood trees sending out massive roots over 50 feet away and sending up suckers. I have a couple over 25' from another big garden and every couple years I need to sever the roots creeping into my garden. I use a chisel plow on my tractor to do this to keep the roots and suckers out. If the Birch ever became a problem you could sever the roots going under the raised beds without killing the tree.

  • last year

    That is crazy! I would never take down these trees but will keep this in mind. Thank you!

    A Mat - yes I’ll have them on a drip system. May take me awhile to get to that but will def need it

  • PRO
    last year

    Depending on how deep the beds are and the materials, you could berm under for leveling instead of digging down. Hugelkultur might be able to be implemented.

  • last year

    After fighting quack grass in our garden, we've rolled out heavy duty drainage fabric, placed the raised beds on top of them, and covered the areas around the beds with 4 to 6 inches of pea gravel. If one bed looked unlevel, we'd ship it up with a brick.