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When you have decided that you want your own raised beds, you need to figure out how to build them. There are a lot of ways to do this and this post will try to give you some ideas by showing some of the very different ways people have raised their beds up above ground level in order to get all the benefits that raised beds provide:

The first one is simple and easy to build. It consists of four planks, 12 inch (30 cm) wide, that can be held together with metal angles on the inside. The planks are untreated. You can also use screws to fit the wood together, from the top of one plank into the end the next plank.

The entire bed is a classic 4 by 8 feet (1.2 by 2.4 m).

This is a smaller version of the first one. Remember to level out the whole raised bed so that the soil will be evenly distributed at all times.

A more solid version, but also held together by metal angles on the inside. Both round and rectangular poles can be used. The thicker the wood is, the longer it will last if untreated. Decide if you want to use pressure treated wood or not.

You can make the raised bed as high as you want it, the higher the better, until it reaches your waist. Your root vegetables will love the deep loose soil, and grow long and big.

The raised bed in the picture shows some nice details in the way the planks have been fitted together.

A plastic mesh keeps cats from digging.

A nice detail on the top edge of the wooden bed makes it easy on the eyes.

If you want to grow climbing plants in your beds it’s easy to add a trellis, since the sides of the bed will keep the trellis in place. This is the natural choice for runner beans.

Painting the planks will make them last much longer, but make sure you don’t get unwanted chemicals into your vegetable soil.

Tomatoes would love a raised bed like this. Strings for support and a roof to protect against heavy rain and hail. The plastic roof can be painted to protect against sun burn.

Different types of trellises and protection can easily be mounted on the wooden frames, for beans, peas or tomatoes. Vulnerable plants will be safe under fleece held up by plastic hoops mounted on the frame.

The conditions in a green house can be imitated by placing old windows in top of a raised bed, mounted on the wooden frame.

This one of the more beautiful ways that you can build a raised bed. It’s not wooden but built from flat stones, and fits perfectly into the natural environment.

And last, a raised bed made from old bricks. Very beautiful, but would be more useful if the bricks were held together by cement.

The message here being – use what you got, and have fun!

Need ideas for spicing up your food this year? These are 10 popular herbs and spices you can grow yourself:

1. Chives

Photo by Misserion.

2. Coriander

Photo by Joi.

3. Cumin

Photo by Gusjer.

4. Dill

Photo by Saucy Salad.

5. Marjoram

Photo by Sandy Austin.

6. Oregano

Photo by Joi.

7. Parsley

Photo by Joylitas.

8. Rosemary

Photo by OliBac.

9. Rucola

Photo by sabotrax.

10. Sweet basil

Photo by antigone78.