Fabric Raised Garden Bed

Note: PVC pipe is required and must be purchased separately

When compared to their wood counterparts, fabric raised beds are easier to assemble, more affordable, and with less risk of rot, mold, or pest infestation. But if the growing conditions aren’t quite right, traditional fabric growing containers pose their own challenges. Traditional fabric beds drain and dry from all sides. This can cause uneven drainage and dry pockets. It may also require more frequent watering. Grassroots offers an innovative approach to fabric beds that not only improves drainage and aeration, but also supports the soil food web so that plants can grow to their fullest potential. Grassroots Living Soil Fabric Beds feature a waterproof liner and bottom aeration strip. This fosters the optimal environment to cultivate microbes essential for living soil, and creates healthier, more productive plants.

Unlike other fabric beds on the market, Grassroots fabric beds are reinforced with PVC pipe for durability that matches that of wooden raised beds. Plus, you can choose to add a trellis to your Grassroots fabric bed with PVC trellis fittings.

Two Sizes:

1) Square: 4' x 4' x 1.5' or 1.2m x 1.2m x .5m

2) Rectangle: 4' x 8' x 1.5' or 1.2m x 1.2m x .5m

Benefits of Living Soil Fabric Pots & Beds

Reduced Water & Energy Use

By preventing drainage and drying from all sides of the container, Living Soil Fabric Pots & Beds lengthen the wet-to-dry soil cycle. That means less water usage and lower humidity indoors.

Even Moisture + Drainage

Traditional fabric containers drain from all sides, which can cause dry pockets. Our Living Soil Fabric Pots & Beds direct water downward, ensuring even distribution throughout.

Improved Aeration

The 4”/10.1cm aeration strip prevents roots from circling the bottom of the container by allowing air to circulate from below. Our Living Soil Fabric Pots & Beds also encourage soil to dry from the top down, mimicking the way soil dries in nature.

Two Sizes:

1) Square: 4' x 4' x 1.5' or 1.2m x 1.2m x .5m

2) Rectangle: 4' x 8' x 1.5' or 1.2m x 1.2m x .5m

PVC Pipe is 1" and the corners are included

1. Start with the bed on a flat surface.

2. Lay a piece of PVC across the bed so it starts flush with the end.

3. Cut the PVC where it meets the horizontal sharpie line near the top of the side.

4. This piece will become a leg. You can now cut the rest of the legs to this length. There will be one leg for every notch.

5. Put the proper fittings on to the legs. We will attach crossbars to them in a couple steps. Note: If you don’t have trellis fittings, you will use 3 and 4 way fittings instead of the 4 and 5 way fittings.

6. Use a metal File or sandpaper to smooth the bottoms of the legs. This helps to prevent accidental damage to the base of the fabric pot. If you don’t have a file or sandpaper, you can scrape the bottom of the legs on concrete.

7. It’s time to cut the crossbars. Put a piece of uncut PVC through an end sleeve and cut at the vertical markings. 

8. You can use this length to make as many crossbars as you need. The crossbars are the smaller length of your bed as well as the support bars that go across the middle of your bed for the 3×6, 4×8. The 4×16 bed will have 3 support bars.

*Please note, the 3’×6’ or .9 m x 1.83 m Double Trellis Raised Bed includes fitting for 2 support bars:  One for soil level support and one for either the first or second trellis (your choice).

9. Place the end crossbars into their sleeves and fit the corner legs and fittings onto them.

10. To begin assembling the sides, thread an uncut piece of PVC through an empty sleeve into a leg joint. Make sure the fabric is taut and cut at the first vertical mark. (In the shown illustration, the pipe continues left into the corner fitting. Do not pre-cut these side pieces. Measure them one at a time.)

11. Stick the next leg on and continue down the length of the bed until you reach the next corner joint.

Over time, the bed base may expand and cause the PVC to pop out of the fittings. To prevent this, you can put screws through each pipe end and the fitting. Make sure not to over-tighten the screws! Putting the screws into the top of the fitting will allow gravity to help keep the screw in place.

1. What makes Grassroots Fabric Raised Garden Bed different from others of its kind?
   Grassroots has taken the time to research the materials used by the competition and have chosen to use a far superior fabric that is made specifically for us in the USA.
   
   The majority of the fabric pots and beds on the market are mass produced in China with low quality fabric and do not last. Grassroots sews the bottom seams on the outside to help them last longer, and most of the beds have a triple hem along the top for extra strength. These fabric raised beds are all triple-hemmed.
   
   
2. How does drainage work? Does it matter what surface they are on?
   Grassroots Beds are made from a breathable fabric that drains and dries from all sides. With a waterproof liner and bottom aeration strip, Living Soil Fabric Beds recreate the top-down drying pattern that is found in nature. This ensures optimum moisture retention, eliminates dry pockets, and helps to cultivate essential microbes. This results in the soil remaining moist for a longer period of time.
   
   
3. How do they affect animals or pests?
   The bed’s strong fabric can sometimes act as a barrier to pests or animals, but we suggest taking other measures to protect your plants.