Spring has officially sprung, and I’ve got a serious case of spring fever! Every year around this time, I’m itching to get outside and do ANYTHING. This year, I decided to level up my gardening game by investing in two 29" tall metal raised garden beds. So far, I’ve tackled assembling one, and let me tell you—it’s been an adventure! Here’s how it’s going, plus some lessons learned along the way.
Assembling the First Bed: A Bit of a Learning Curve
I couldn’t wait to get started, so I dove right into putting together the first bed. The process was surprisingly straightforward, but with 100 screws and bolts, it’s not exactly a quick task. The instructions had me finger-tighten everything first, then go back with a drill to secure it all. Pro tip: take your time with this step! I got a little overzealous and ended up misaligning two panels. Redoing them wasn’t the end of the world, but it did slow me down. Still, once it was all together, I couldn’t believe how sturdy and sleek it looked. Now I’m just trying to figure out the perfect spot for the second bed—somewhere that gets plenty of full sun to keep my plants happy. This Youtube video was very helpful!
Filling the Beast: 43 Cubic Feet of Fun
I went big with the 29-inch tall bed, which boasts a whopping 43 cubic feet of space. Filling it? That’s a whole different story! I wanted to be smart about it, so I started with a base layer of 6 bundles of firewood and a bunch of random sticks and twigs I collected from the yard. Next, I added 4 bags of non-dyed wood mulch for some organic matter, then topped it off with 16 bags of soil. The bed’s sitting on a weed barrier that already had an inch of rock, so I’m hoping that keeps the weeds at bay. Let me just say—I’m beyond grateful my husband pitched in. There’s no way I could’ve hauled all that material and filled this thing solo!
What’s Growing in Bed #1
With the first bed ready, I’m so excited about what’s going in it. I’ve planned a mix of veggies and companion plants:
Mixed lettuces for fresh salads all spring.
Snap peas because they’re a family favorite.
Tomatoes for that summer flavor I crave.
Basil to pair with those tomatoes (and maybe some pesto!).
Marigolds to attract pollinators and add a pop of color.
Alyssum to help deter pesky insects naturally.
I can already picture the harvest—and the Instagram-worthy garden pics!
Plans for Bed #2
Once I settle on a sunny spot, the second bed will house another tasty lineup: cucumbers, peppers, onions, and dill. I’m dreaming of fresh salads and salsa already. The challenge now is getting it assembled and filled before the planting season really kicks into high gear.
Next Up: Irrigation Dreams
With two raised beds in the works, my next project is figuring out an irrigation system. I’d love to set it up on a timer so I can keep everything watered effortlessly all summer long. It’s one more thing to research, but I’m determined to make this garden as low-maintenance as possible—because let’s be real, I’d rather spend my time harvesting than hauling a watering can.
Building and filling these Birdies raised garden beds has been a labor of love, and I’m already so proud of how it’s coming together. If you’re new to gardening or thinking about trying raised beds, I’d totally recommend grabbing a beginner gardening kit to get started. There’s something so satisfying about watching your garden take shape—and knowing you’ll soon be eating the fruits (and veggies) of your labor.
Resources:
Metal Raised Garden Beds from Amazon
Full transparency: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’ve personally tried, tested, and trust. Thank you for supporting my journey!
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