Blue Barrel Raised Garden Bed with H Frame Stand Deconstruction. When it was time to move these beds, it seemed like the perfect time to record the video that you requested explaining how I built the raised garden beds from the 55-gallon blue drums.
I’ve included a bit more information about how I built them below – as well as added a few more details I thought would be helpful
How To Build A Blue Barrel Garden Bed
First, source a food-grade barrel. You must be certain that it only contained food-safe products. Beware of any barrels that have Haz-Mat type labeling – do not use those for garden or food-related projects. My blue barrels were from a local garden store that resells them.
Using a ruler and a marker I drew a straight line and with a circular saw, I cut the barrels in half – right along the existing seam. Doing it this way meant that I didn’t have a “hole” where the plugs were.
Next, I drilled holes into the bottom of the beds, in the lowest part of the bed so water could easily drain.
Finally, I used sandpaper to clean up the rough spots from the cuts.
To make the “raised” stand part, I wanted a really cheap way to do it and found this video on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpBirC1lSo8
he also includes a link to the drawing he has on Dropbox.
Each frame is made from 2-2”x4”x8’ pieces of lumber, cut into 3 equal pieces and assembled like an H where the cross piece overlays by about 4”. When you face them toward each other the overlaps support the opposite side and give a nice base for the barrels.
We ended up putting screws through the cross pieces of the frame to hold them as they were sliding a bit in soft dirt.
I lined the bottoms with old wood to take up a bit of space, and as a bonus, the wood helped retain some moisture in the bed. Then added my garden soil and got the bed ready to plan out.
Benefits of a Raised Garden Bed
Raised garden beds offer many advantages over traditional gardening methods. For one, they allow you to control the quality of the soil. You can also tailor the soil mix to the specific needs of the plants you are growing. In addition, raised garden beds provide good drainage and aeration, which helps to prevent root rot and other problems. And because raised garden beds are elevated, they can be easier to maintain than ground-level gardens.
Greens like spinach and Swiss chard do best in cool weather, so you can even extend your growing season by planting them in a raised bed. Just make sure your raised bed is set up so your greens get the water and light they need. With a little planning, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown greens all season long.
About Michelle in the Meadow
I am a suburban gardener located in zone 9A in Northeast Florida. I started growing in this suburban lot in 2019 and have expanded the garden every year. In 2020 I started making Facebook Videos about the garden, and in 2022 created this YouTube channel. I enjoy making content about my garden, what I’m growing and learning, and from time to time the general vlog, too.
About our Growing Season & Gardens
We have a 300+ day growing season in our area. We are currently growing in many raised garden beds of various sizes. Along both sides of the house, in grow bags, in the ground, in Greenstalk vertical planters, and pots on the patio.
Michelle in the Meadow YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUGYMmjynlYUxC_-Mz5Kng
Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/michelleinthemeadow
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/michelleinthemeadow/
Vego vs Birdies Video Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlFCKM1rTPP4ITKEgIAyP_CMThasAxYS9
Tools I Used In This Video
Rubbermaid 64-Ounce Food Service Scoop
https://amzn.to/3ultVb0
Other Favorite Tools I Use AroundThe Garden
My current favorite brand of grow bags (because the handles are made of webbing material and hold up to the Florida sun and heat).
https://amzn.to/3tmBP39
My Gorilla Cart has been working hard for me since 2019, and I still love it. I made one modification and added solid rubber tires from Harbor Freight.
https://amzn.to/3h7kR5A
https://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch-x-2-1-2-half-inch-solid-rubber-tire-35459.html
The links I shared are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you click or make a qualified purchase. Please know my opinions are my own and not influenced by any commission.
#raisedgardenbed #upcycle #diy
Leave a Reply