Make a Sandbox Garden

Making a sandbox garden is a great summer project that anyone can tackle. If you have a sandbox, then half of your work is already done. You just need to empty the sandbox and replace the sand with compost and soil. If you are starting from scratch, building a sandbox or a raised garden just takes time and patience. Use 4x4’s and sideboards to make the frame. Once your frame is built, dig out the grass and fill the bed with soil.

Steps

Turning Your Sandbox into a Garden Box

1. Place a tarp next to the sandbox. You will use the tarp to remove the sand. The tarp will allow you to easily transport the sand wherever you need it to go.
2. Remove the sand. Use a shovel to do this. As you remove the sand, place it on top of the tarp. You should try to remove as much sand as you can.
   • Do not worry about removing all of the sand. If there is a little sand left at the bottom of the box, do not worry about it!
3. Line the bottom with landscaping fabric. Cut a piece of fabric that will fit snugly inside the box. If your sandbox is 4x4 feet, for example, then cut a 4x4 piece of fabric. Then, trim the edges so it can fit inside the box. Use your hands and feet to press the fabric into the ground.
   • Use a measuring tape to measure the fabric.
   • Landscaping fabric will help prevent weeds from growing into your garden. You can purchase it from your local hardware store.
4. Place a 50/50 mixture of soil and compost into the box. Layer the bottom of the box with 50 percent compost. Use a rake to smooth the compost. Then shovel nutrient rich soil on top of the compost. Use the rake again to smooth the top of the soil.
   • You can purchase compost and soil from your local hardware store or garden center.
5. Plant the seeds. In a straight line, dig small holes or furrows in the soil with a stick or a handheld spade. Use the instructions on your seed packets to determine how deep and how far apart the furrows should be. Place the seeds in the furrows and cover each with a layer of soil.
   • Use a gardening pail to water the seeds.

Constructing the Raised Bed

1. Build a raised bed. Use a circular saw to cut two to three 4x4’s into four posts. The posts should be twice as long as the height of your bed. Plant the posts halfway into the ground. Then, nail the pre-cut sideboards to the outsides of the posts to make your frame; the posts should be inside the frame.
   • You can have your posts and sideboards pre-cut at your local hardware store. Just make sure you know what size you want your garden to be before going to the hardware store.
   • The height of the sideboards should be at least six inches high.
2. Dig out the grass. Use a spade to remove the top layer of grass inside of the frame. Removing the grass will allow your plants’ roots to grow deeply into the ground.
3. Place landscaping fabric at the bottom of the bed. Cut a piece of fabric that is an inch smaller than the size of your garden frame. Lay the fabric on top of the freshly dug ground. Use your hands and feet to smooth and press the fabric into the ground.
   • For example, if you have a 5x7 frame, then cut a 4x6 piece of fabric to fit inside the frame.

Filling the Sandbox

1. Place a layer of compost. Use a shovel to place the compost on top of the tarp. Fill your bed a third of the way with the compost. Rake the compost smooth.
2. Top the compost with soil. Fill the rest of the bed with nutrient rich soil. Shovel the soil on top of the compost until the bed is full. Then rake the soil until it is smooth.
3. Make a grid with strings. Staple or tape strings lengthwise and across your garden to create a grid. Space the strings five to seven inches apart. The grid will help you plant the seeds evenly and uniformly.
4. Plant the seeds. In each square, dig a small hole or furrow with a stick or spade per the instructions on the seed packet. Place one or two seeds inside each furrow and cover it with soil. Use a gardening pail to water each seed.

Tips

• Place your sandbox garden in an area of your yard that receives at least six hours of sunshine. Also, for even sun exposure, position your bed in a north-south direction.

Sources and Citations

See also

• Use Borax Around the House
• Clean the Outside of a House
• Research the History of Your House