Is your garden failing to thrive? The problem might not be your lack of a green thumb so much as the quality of your soil. Fortunately, you don’t have to move houses to remedy the situation.
Wooden garden beds with cedar garden bed oil are an effective, easy solution to less-than-optimal soil conditions. Not only do they give home gardeners a longer growing season, even outside the spring, but they also help prevent soil compaction while providing superior aeration and drainage. And, the team at Real Milk Paint has the perfect product for this application we call our Outdoor Defense Oil.
Discover The Benefits of a Cedar Raised Bed
A cedar raised garden bed is a great way to improve the quality of your soil without breaking the bank. The cedar garden bed oil will protect the wood and keep it looking new, while the raised bed will improve drainage and aeration. With quality soil, your plants will be sure to thrive.
Raised beds can be the perfect solution for small plots of land or patios and balconies. They’re also great for those who want to plant herbs but don’t have the space for a traditional garden.
DIY Cedar Garden Beds
Step 1: Measure and Cut
One of the key features of cedar wood is that it’s a natural vegetable and soil pairing and can withstand direct sunlight when properly cared for.
To create your own raised cedar garden bed, start by measuring the length of your walls and cutting the boards accordingly. Then, cut 2x4s to serve as corner posts and supports for the walls of the container.
If desired, you can cut more posts to install along the walls for added support.
Step 2: Attach the Posts
After clamping the boards of each wall together, place the corner posts so that they’re flush with the ends of the taller walls. Attach the posts with screws.
Step 3: Attach the Sides
Next, drill pilot holes and attach all the sides to create a frame with the posts on the inside. Set the frame in place, making sure the sides are on the ground rather than a surface like concrete. Doing this is crucial to ensure appropriate root growth and drainage.
Then, use a spading fork to loosen the dirt and aid your plants in taking root. Be sure to staple wide-mesh hardware cloth on the frame’s bottom side to keep it safe from weeds and add a layer of protection.
Step 4: Add Soil
Now, you’re ready to fill the cedar garden bed with soil and compost. For best results, be gentle when placing plants in the holes; and keep the soil loose. This technique ensures that water reaches the roots so that plant life can flourish.
Tips on Soil and Fertilizer
To get the best results out of your raised cedar garden bed, it’s important to start with quality soil. We recommend using a mix of topsoil, compost, and peat moss. This combination will provide the nutrients your plants need to thrive. You can also add a slow-release fertilizer to the mix for an extra boost. Products that are food safe, easy to apply, and contain vegetable and citrus oils are worth considering.
The Best Cedar Garden Bed Oil
Did you know that our Outdoor Defense is the best cedar garden bed oil for protecting surfaces? You can use it to protect your investment from rain, direct sunlight, wind, fluctuating temperatures and other elements. Thinners can accelerate the drying process and greatly improve the penetration of the tung oil. When dried, Outdoor Defense Oil is a food contact-safe finish.
These products are safe for children and pets. Plus, they create a protective finish while deepening and enriching the color of the cedar but without affecting the quality of your produce, ensuring your garden remains eco-friendly.
As a bonus, you can brush the cedar garden bed oil over any Real Milk Paint® or any water-based, porous paint or stain, because all of our products are non-toxic and environmentally friendly!
Simply apply a generous first coat to your cedar garden bed. Let the garden bed oil absorb into the surface, waiting, if needed, up to 40 minutes. Apply another coat, let it absorb, and avoid applying without drying. Continue this process until you reach the desired amount of coats or have fully saturated the wood. For the best cedar garden bed finish, we recommend letting this application rest and settle overnight.
Experts agree that our products are safe for growing food, plant life, and to use on cedar as a sealer and conditioner. In fact, a recent Dengarden article highlighted our sealers and waxes, noting that one of their key features is that they’re safe for cedar that comes in contact with foods. This will help keep your garden as organic as possible.
Beautify Your Backyard with Cedar Garden Bed Oil
Our defense oil helps shield the wood from the elements and prevents cracking and splitting. It’s easy to apply and will keep your cedar garden bed looking like new for seasons to come. It is used in gardens across the United States and trusted by homeowners.
If you’re ready to start enjoying the food and fruits of your labor, be sure to pick up some cedar garden bed oil to keep your investment looking like new.
Ready to give your backyard space an upgrade? Whether you’re building an eco-friendly cedar-raised garden or completing another painting project, we’d love to see the end result. Share your project in the gallery below today, we’d love to see!
