How to Start a Raised Bed Garden From Scratch

Why raised beds work Raised beds give you full control over your soil, drainage, and spacing. They warm up faster in the morning, drain excess water during heavy rains, and keep weeds from spreading in from surrounding ground. For Kenyan home gardens, they're ideal for both small urban plots and larger shamba setups. What you'll need - Timber planks or brick for the frame (30–45 cm high works well) - A mix of topsoil, compost, and aged manure - Cardboard or landscape fabric for the base layer - A tape measure, hammer, and nails or screws Step 1 — Choose your location Pick a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Avoid areas directly under large trees — competing roots and leaf drop will work against you. Step 2 — Build the frame Cut your timber to your desired dimensions. A 1.2 m × 2.4 m bed is easy to reach across from both sides without stepping in. Nail or screw the corners firmly. Step 3 — Fill your bed Layer cardboard on the ground first to smother grass and weeds. Then fill with a mix of 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% aged manure. Water thoroughly and let it settle for 2–3 days before planting. Step 4 — Plant and mulch Start with fast-growing crops like spinach, kale, or radishes to get your first harvest quickly. Mulch the surface with dry grass or straw to retain moisture between waterings.