Raised Herb Garden: An Outdoor Space Makeover

An outdoor makeover can seem like a huge project. See how Stacy Risenmay of Not Just A Housewife was able to use Home Depot products to create raised herb gardens to clean up her outdoor space.

Raised Herb Garden: An Outdoor Space Makeover

Cleaning the Backyard

Almost 10 years ago I turned our unused side yard into a secret garden. While I loved how it looked, it was basically one giant flowerbed and required a lot of maintenance. I spent more time weeding than I did sitting and enjoying the garden. Last year I closed the gates ignored it. In one short year, the weeds took over. I knew I needed to make some changes, so I decided to create a raised her garden.

Raised Herb Garden: An Outdoor Space Makeover

I transplanted all the plants to the front yard and then dug up the largest weeds. The rest got cut down with a string trimmer. I tilled the ground and raked it smooth.

Raised Herb Garden: An Outdoor Space Makeover

Creating a Foundation

I laid down some heavy duty landscape cloth and used landscape staples to keep it in place, especially along the seams. I made sure to overlap each row by at least 6-in.

Raised Herb Garden: An Outdoor Space Makeover

Building the Box Gardens

I used 10 2×12 boards to build the boxes. The 8-foot-long boards got cut into a 3 foot piece and a 5 foot piece. These boards created five 3×5 foot boxes. Using my Kreg jig, I drilled pocket holes and attached them using 2 ½” pocket hole screws.

Raised Herb Garden: An Outdoor Space Makeover

Laying Down the Boxes

The planter boxes were laid on top of the landscape cloth. Because of the tree placement, I added three to one side but only two to the other. This allowed me to add the bench back into the space when I was done. I still wanted to have a seating area.

Raised Herb Garden: An Outdoor Space Makeover

Add Fresh Soil and Gravel

After staining the boxes, I added the soil. This organic garden soil is so nice! Each planter box got 5 bags each.

Raised Herb Garden: An Outdoor Space Makeover

Once the soil was added we dumped the pea gravel all over and used a rake to evenly spread it over the space. It ended up being about 3-in thick.

Raised Herb Garden: An Outdoor Space Makeover

Planting is the Fun Part

Now time for the fun part! I chose to plant rosemary, lavender, basil, oregano, sage, chives, thyme and mint. I also added some cold weather veggies, lettuce and celery. My vegetable garden is rarely tilled and ready to go by February or March when it is time to plant the cold weather plants, but the raised beds will be easier to prep in the spring.

Raised Herb Garden: An Outdoor Space Makeover

After hanging the gates, my newly redesigned secret garden was ready!

Raised Herb Garden: An Outdoor Space Makeover

The Perfect Raised Herb Garden

I am so happy with how the raised herb garden turned out. I think it will become my new favorite spot in our yard.

Raised Herb Garden: An Outdoor Space Makeover

Raised Herb Garden: An Outdoor Space Makeover

These raised herb garden beds are not only pretty but will require little maintenance.

The post Raised Herb Garden: An Outdoor Space Makeover appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.

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