Gardening in raised beds has many advantages. Raised beds are ideal for gardeners living in regions of poor soil. Filled with a combination of topsoil, compost, aged manure, and peat moss, a raised bed will produce lush crops of flowers and vegetables. The improved raised soil will drain freely and warm quickly in the spring for earlier planting. Raised beds can also be used as mini-nurseries where newly rooted cuttings can grow until they’re ready for transplanting to their permanent positions in the garden.

In this excerpt from Classic Garden Structures, authors Jan and Michael Gertley offer a design for a raised bed that is not only functional but architecturally pleasing as well. The excerpt includes a materials list and step-by-step instructions.