Get the Dirt: Preparing Your Garden Bed

October 11, 2026

Before we get seedy, we need to get dirty.

Because believe it or not, the secret to a successful garden starts long before you plant your first seed.

Which brings me to: Get the Dirt!

There are three different methods of garden beds you can prepare:

Fabric grow bags and containers
Raised beds — Metal, wood, or plastic
In-ground gardens — Good old-fashioned planting straight into the earth

But the secret to success is in the dirt, and depending on where you live, one method might work better than another.

Here in Florida, we have very sandy soil. While that's great for draining the monsoon-level rains we get, it's not always ideal for growing vegetables. Sandy soil drains quickly, but it also struggles to hold onto the nutrients and moisture our hungry little plants need.

I personally prefer raised beds because I can better control the quality of the soil without having to fight what's already in the ground.

BUT there is a downside to raised beds; they dry out quicker so they need more watering. Metal gets hot, and wood breaks down.

But if you happen to live somewhere with beautiful, rich garden soil, by all means, go for the ground!

For this guide, we're going to focus on preparing a raised garden bed.

Step One: Location, Location, Location!

Much like in my A Little Pot Never Hurt Anyone post, location plays a huge role in your garden's success.

If possible, choose an area that receives at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight each day, ideally with some morning sun, and you want to avoid low areas where rainwater collects.

The easiest way I've found to choose a location is to assemble your raised bed, leave it empty, and place it where you think you'd like your garden to live. For the next 2–3 days, check on it a few times throughout the day.

Where does the morning sun hit? What happens in the afternoon? Does rainwater collect around it?

Keep in mind that the sun shifts throughout the year, so the perfect summer location might not be the perfect winter location.

Here in Florida, I actually have a "summer garden" and a "winter garden." My summer garden gets some much-needed afternoon shade to protect plants from our brutal heat, while my winter garden gets more afternoon sun.

This is why I always encourage new gardeners to spend a little time observing before planting. A few days of paying attention can save months of frustration.

Step Two: Prepare the Ground

Now that you've found your perfect spot, it's time to prepare the ground underneath.

If you're placing your raised bed over grass, you don't want to simply dump soil on top and hope for the best. Grass and weeds can grow up into your garden bed, and nobody wants to spend their weekends pulling weeds.

We're lazy gardeners, not farmers lol, So I'm going to share one of the easiest methods I've found: cardboard!

Here's what you do:

Mow or cut the grass as short as possible.
Remove any tape, labels, or plastic from plain, non-waxed cardboard.
Lay the cardboard flat across the bottom of your raised bed, overlapping the edges so grass can't easily sneak through.
Lightly wet the cardboard to help it stay in place.
Add your soil on top.

The cardboard helps smother the grass and weeds underneath while gradually breaking down. I especially like this method because you don't have to dig out an entire section of lawn which can be a lot of work for very little return on investment. And unlike permanent plastic barriers, cardboard eventually decomposes.

Now, this isn't a magical weed-proof shield. Some stubborn weeds and grasses may still find their way through, and thick cardboard can temporarily restrict water movement and roots until it breaks down. But for a simple, no-dig garden bed, it's a pretty convenient starting point.

If your soil is heavily compacted or has drainage problems, you'll want to loosen it before filling your bed.

The goal is to create a healthy growing environment, not trap your plants in a giant bathtub.

Step Three: Fill It In!

I usually just fill my entire garden bed with quality soil, but these days that can come with a pretty big price tag AND after the dirt settles your bed can become half filled within a few weeks. If you're ballin' on a budget, there are a couple of ways to save money.

For a typical raised vegetable bed, a good starting mix is:

70% quality topsoil
30% finished compost

You can also purchase a premixed raised-bed soil if you don't want to measure and mix everything yourself. The goal is soil that holds moisture and nutrients while still allowing excess water to drain.

And if you have a local landscape supplier, check their bulk prices before buying dozens of plastic bags from a garden center. I have found a couple on Facebook Marketplace. If you have a particularly deep raised bed like a 4x4x11, there's another method you might want to consider.

The Lasagna Method: This is a layered gardening method where you use different organic materials to help fill your bed, reduce costs, and gradually build organic matter as those materials break down.

Layer One use sparingly: Rocks Great in assisting with drainage, you can add in some rocks at the bottom of your bed. Nothing treated or man-made like cement or bricks, but crushed natural rock. You don't want to pack it too thick to give room for roots. but a 50% coverage works nicely.
Layer Two use sparingly: Leaves and Small Twigs/branches Add some dry leaves and smaller twigs around the branches. These materials will gradually break down and add organic matter as well as aerate the soil. Keep in mind the TYPE of wood matters, so be sure to use a compatible type, ensure its not diseased or treated. Skip this step entirely if your raised bed is shallow, less than 10". Your vegetables need room to grow roots!
Layer Three: Compost Add some finished compost to help introduce organic matter and nutrients. You can also add in kitchen scraps here (no meat or meat byproducts) etc.
Layer Four: Quality Raised-Bed Soil Finally, fill the remaining space with a good soil and compost mixture. This is the most important layer because it's where your seeds will germinate and most of your vegetable roots will grow.

One thing to remember: as the materials underneath decompose, your soil level will gradually sink. You may need to top it off in future seasons.

And because fresh wood can temporarily tie up nitrogen, you'll want to keep an eye on your plants and maintain healthy soil fertility.

Step Four: Give Your Soil a Drink

Before planting, water your freshly filled garden bed. You don't want it soaking wet, just evenly moist. Dry soil can be surprisingly difficult to rehydrate once seeds are planted, especially if your mixture contains peat or other materials that dry out easily.

I like to water the soil, let it settle, and check whether I need to add a little more.

Step Five: Get Seedy!

You've picked your location, you've prepared the ground, you've filled your bed with healthy soil, you've watered everything in & now its time to plant!