May 07, 2025
How to Set Up the Perfect Metal Raised Bed (Step‑By‑Step Guide)
Why Jordan Switched to Sproutbox Metal Beds
Wooden beds rot; Sproutbox’s aluzinc‑coated steel doesn’t. The panels bolt together in minutes, accept child‑safe edge guards, and can be stretched with snap‑in extension kits—ideal when your garden ambitions keep growing.
The Five‑Step Process
1. Prepare the Ground
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Smother weeds and grass. Lay two or three overlapping sheets of plain cardboard where the bed will sit.
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Troubleshoot roots. If tree roots or suckers plague the area, place cement pavers under the cardboard. They block intrusions without affecting drainage.
2. Assemble the Bed
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Hardware order: bolt (outside) → washer → acorn nut (inside).
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Bracing rods: Each 9‑in‑1 bed includes one; every extension kit adds two. Bolt them in where the instructions show to keep the panels from bowing once the bed is full.
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Edge strip: Press the rubber guard over the rim and trim flush so no bare metal shows.
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Level and space (optional): Jordan keeps 2 ft between beds—just enough for a wheelbarrow.
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Time check: Jordan added the entire second half in 11 min 51 s.
3. Fill the Bed the Budget‑Friendly Way (Hügelkultur)
|
Layer |
What Goes In |
Depth |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Branches & sticks |
4–5 in |
Bulks out volume; decomposes slowly |
|
2 |
Old compost or spent potting mix |
2–3 in |
Fills gaps so topsoil won’t sink |
|
3 |
Shredded fall leaves |
1–2 in |
Extra organic matter & biology |
|
4 |
Premium soil blend (75 % compost / 25 % vermiculite) |
Top 8–10 in |
Nutrient‑rich, moisture‑holding root zone |
Stop filling about 1 in below the rim so watering doesn’t wash soil over the sides.
4. Automate Watering
Jordan’s drip system runs 25 minutes every other day—no missed soakings when life gets busy. His full irrigation tutorial is linked under the video; follow it before you install your own timer and lines.
5. Plant and Feed
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Keep seedlings 6 in from the bed wall and 12 in apart in both directions.
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Into each transplant hole, add 1 handful worm castings + 1 Tbsp organic 4‑4‑4 fertilizer.
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Firm soil, water deeply (by hand or with the new irrigation).
Yes, the bed looks roomy now—but last year Jordan’s broccoli heads grew bigger than his fist. Trust the spacing.
Quick Shopping List
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Sproutbox 17″ 9‑in‑1 bed + extension kit (optional)
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Cardboard & (if needed) cement pavers
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Branches, old compost, fall leaves
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Soil mix: compost + vermiculite (3 : 1 ratio)
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Worm castings & 4‑4‑4 fertilizer
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Drip line, timer, and fittings
Ready to Grow?
Follow these five steps and your new metal raised bed will be weed‑free, nutrient‑rich, and watered on schedule—exactly the foundation you need for record harvests. Have questions? Drop them in the YouTube comments; Jordan answers every one.
