What should I put under my raised bed?

Cardboard is a simple and effective weed barrier. Avoid landscape fabric because it can restrict water movement and becomes messy over time.

What should I fill a raised bed with?

Use a lightweight, well-draining mix rather than heavy native soil. Many gardeners use a soilless raised bed mix for consistent results and easier maintenance.

Do I need to use soil from my yard to fill a raised bed?

No. You can skip native soil and use a consistent soilless mix that drains well and is easy to refresh each season.

What is the best raised bed size for beginners?

A 4x4 or 4x8 bed is beginner-friendly. Keep the width to 4 feet or less so you can reach the center without stepping into the bed.

How often should I water a raised bed?

Water deeply when the top inch feels dry. In warm weather, that can be 2–4 times per week depending on heat, wind, and plant size.

Beginner Raised Garden Bed Setup: A Simple, Proven Way to Start Gardening

Q: How deep should a raised bed be for beginners?

A depth of 10–12 inches is enough for most vegetables and herbs. If you want more flexibility for root crops, go 12–18 inches.

Q: Can I put a raised bed directly on grass?

Yes. Lay plain cardboard under the bed (overlapping pieces) to smother the grass and reduce weeds, then fill the bed on top.

Lisa
3 days ago
3 min read

Beginner Raised Garden Bed Setup: A Simple, Proven Way to Start Gardening

Starting a garden doesn’t need to be complicated—or expensive. A raised bed is one of the simplest, most reliable ways to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers, especially if you’re new to gardening or dealing with poor soil.

This beginner raised bed setup guide walks you through exactly what you need, what to skip, and how to avoid common mistakes—so your garden works with you, not against you.

Why Raised Beds Are Perfect for Beginners

Raised beds take out much of the guesswork:

Better drainage than in-ground gardens
Fewer weeds
Warmer soil earlier in spring
Easier on your back and knees
Full control over what you grow in

If you want steady results without battling clay, rocks, or mystery soil—raised beds are the way.

Small backyard raised bed vegetable garden, organized rows, peaceful rural setting

Step 1: Choose the Right Location

Before building anything, inspect & take notes about your yard for a day or two.

Look for:

6–8 hours of direct sunlight
Level ground
Easy access to water
Close enough to your house that you’ll actually use it

A garden you see (and walk through) daily is one you’ll tend.

If you’re not sure what to plant when, my Seed Starting Calendars make it easy to map your season before you buy seeds.

Step 2: Pick a Beginner-Friendly Raised Bed Size

Bigger is not better when starting out.

Best beginner sizes:

4 ft x 4 ft – ideal for square-foot gardening
4 ft x 8 ft – more growing space, still manageable
Height: 10–12 inches is plenty for most crops

Stick with wood, metal, or composite beds. Do not use pressure-treated lumber near food crops.

Gardening tools beside raised bed, including gloves, trowel, seeds, watering can, & kneeler

Step 3: What Goes Under a Raised Bed?

You don’t need anything fancy. You don't even need to use landscape fabric if you don't want to. I use it if I have it on-hand.

Simple and effective:

Plain cardboard (remove tape and labels)
Overlapping layers to block weeds
Lay directly on grass or soil

Step 4: How to Fill a Raised Bed (Without Using Garden Soil)

This is where many beginners get stuck—and where raised beds can truly shine.

I do not use native soil in my raised beds. Instead, I use a lightweight, homemade soilless potting mix that drains well, feeds plants evenly, and is easy to refresh each season.

Read the full recipe here: Homemade Soilless Potting Mix for Raised Beds

This mix is:

Easier to work with
Consistent from bed to bed
Perfect for vegetables, herbs, and flowers

Once you try it, I promise you won’t go back.

Step 5: Plant Simply (Don’t Overdo It)

New gardeners often plant too much, too close.

Great beginner plants for raised beds:

Lettuce
Radishes
Bush beans
Zucchini (1 plant!)
Cherry tomatoes
Basil and parsley

Gardener planting seedlings in raised bed, hands in soil

Follow spacing recommendations—even if the bed looks empty at first. It fills in quickly.

To avoid planting everything at the wrong time (we’ve all done it), use my Seed Starting Schedule Calendars to plan week by week.

Step 6: Watering & Maintenance Basics

Raised beds dry out faster than in-ground gardens.

Tips:

Water deeply, not daily sprinkles
Morning watering is best
Mulch lightly to retain moisture
Check soil with your finger before watering again

Consistency beats perfection.

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Overwatering
Overplanting
Using cheap bagged “garden soil”
Skipping mulch
Expecting instant results

Gardening is steady, not rushed. Let the plants teach you.

One of the biggest beginner mistakes is planting random combinations that compete—my Companion Planting Guide helps you choose better neighbors from day one.

Recommended Resources for Beginners

Homemade Soilless Potting Mix (for filling raised beds)
Seed Starting Calendars (know what to start when)
Companion Planting Guide (simple plant pairings)

A Simple Start That Grows With You

A beginner raised bed setup doesn’t need gadgets, gimmicks, or guesswork. Start small, build good soil (or soilless mix), and grow from there.

Once your first bed succeeds, everything else feels possible.

FAQ Section

How deep should a raised bed be for beginners?

10–12 inches works well for most vegetables.

Can I put a raised bed directly on grass?

Yes—just use cardboard and/or landscape matting underneath.

Do I need soil from my yard?

No. A quality soilless mix performs better and is easier to manage. Get the recipe for the perfect mix here.

Beginner Raised Garden Bed Setup: A Simple Way to Start Gardening