A small chalkboard sign reading "Stayin' Alive" is attached to a wooden post in a garden. Nearby, green plants with small leaves and a jalapeƱo pepper flourish in the stock tank, set against a textured gray siding backdrop.
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DIY Stock Tank Raised Garden Bed

ByLisa

Happy summer friends! The first DIY at the top of my outdoor project list this year is a raised garden bed. With inflation and unpredictable supply chains I figured it was time to learn how to grow a vegetable garden just in case. I mean with my black thumb, I am going to need some practice so no time like the present. For a number of reasons I will get into below, I chose to make my garden from a small stock tank. Are you ready to see how I did it?

Raised garden bed with lush green plants and an efficient drip irrigation system. Set against a wooden fence in the backyard, this DIY stock tank garden offers a unique twist to traditional gardening. The image includes the text "DIY Stock Tank Raised Garden Bed" with a website link.

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Before we dive into the how to, let me be clear. I do not expect to grow enough food to stop going to the grocery store. I just want to learn how to successfully grow vegetables and scale up as I get better. Last year I got a jalapeno plant and I didn’t kill it so basically now I think I am a farmer, haha! Not really, but I am going to give it a go and see what happens.

Why a stock tank?

I chose a small stock tank for this project because A) I liked the height to hopefully keep small animals out. B) I liked the idea of the stock tank pool having a twin šŸ™‚ Not to mention, this option didn’t require me to build anything which was a welcomed break after the wine cellar.  C) My outdoor space is limited and for the most part already landscaped. So adding garden beds seemed like an after thought. I considered a vertical garden which I may still try as a herb garden, but for now this seemed like an easy way to add a garden to my small space without getting into a large DIY project.

DIY Stock Tank Raised Garden Bed Materials

Small Stock Tank 
Vinegar
Exterior Paint 
Drill
Landscape Fabric
River Rock
Garden Soil
Compost
Perlite
Worm Castings
Hose Drip Line

DIY Stock Tank Raised Garden Bed

Step 1

The first thing you will need is a small stock tank. I chose a six foot oval stock tank for my veggie garden. I wanted to fit as many new plants in my garden space as possible. This may not be the cheapest way to add a garden, but it can still be done with a limited budget. You can usually find these at your local hardware store. But the larger stock tanks, like the one I used for the pool, are only available at farm supply stores.

Several large, shiny silver stock tanks are stacked and placed on a concrete floor. A wooden pallet and a beige brick wall are visible in the background, evoking an industrial garden vibe.

I recommend picking your stock tank out in person. These smaller tanks are meant to nest inside one another for easier shipping. Because of this, some are a bit smaller than others and do not have as much space. I chose mine in person and picked the largest tank from the bottom. If you choose to do several of these, they could be different sizes if you do not hand pick them.

Step 2 

Prep the stock tank for paint. Painting is a great way to add a focal point to a small backyard and an inexpensive way to personalize with limited space. I regularly get tons of questions on how I painted the pool and I applied the same logic here. I washed it down with water and vinegar first. This breaks down the coating on the galvanized metal and helps the fresh coat of paint adhere. 

A group of cleaning supplies, including a spray bottle of all-purpose cleaner, a bottle of Windex, a small pink spray bottle, and a toothbrush, is arranged on a stock tank outdoors. A wooden fence and trees grace the garden backdrop.

I removed the branded sticker and the store label as well. These were a little difficult as they leave a sticky residue. Again I used water and vinegar, Windex, rubbing alcohol and a toothbrush to scrub off the residue.

Step 3 

Paint the stock tank garden bed. I used Behr Ultra exterior paint in flat black. Black is the actual color, apparently the naming committee took that day off, haha! I highly recommend using a foam roller and foam brush. The first coat will be very splotchy. Luckily I had warm weather the day I painted but it wasn’t too hot. You can see behind the scenes video in my Instagram story highlight. 

A large can of Behr Ultra stain-blocking paint and primer in one rests on a metal stock tank outdoors. The can is labeled "Exterior Flat: Ultra Pure White," boasting excellent durability and a lifetime warranty. A wooden fence and lush garden provide the perfect backdrop.

In total, I did three coats rolling the larger areas and using the foam brush to get closer to the edges. I purposefully did not paint the top edge. I did not paint the top edge of the pool either. I felt this area of the tank would be touched frequently and rubbed up against the most and didn’t want a lick of paint chipping over time.

A large black metal tank, reminiscent of a stock tank, is placed under a covered patio with a barbecue grill nearby. This serene garden area is outdoors, surrounded by trees and a wooden fence. The patio roof is supported by sturdy metal beams.

Step 4 

Drill drainage holes and remove the drain plug. While I did remove the drainage hole, I didn’t think that would be enough drainage for my garden. I used my drill and a 1/2 inch drill bit to make 8 more holes in the bottom of the tank.  

A large metal stock tank is placed on a bed of small rocks. Inside the tank, a yellow and black power drill is resting, ready for use. Bags of gardening soil are stacked in the background, creating a perfect garden setup.

Make sure your battery is fully charged for this part and have an extra on standby if you can.

Step 5

Add irrigation. This step is definitely optional, but I highly recommend it! If you are like me, watering everyday can easily be forgotten but 100% necessary in the summer months in the western US. We receive very little rainfall. I used to think sprinkler systems were for rich people but here if you don’t have one, you either have artificial turf or no grass. I used this system and ran it up through the drainage hole in the stock tank. Leave enough slack on top of the tank to add the drip lines to each plant and enough slack on the end to reach your hose.

A black cable passes through a grommet at the base of a dark panel, surrounded by small garden stones.

This system attaches to your hose and doesn’t require you to have lawn irrigation. You will likely need a splitter as well to make this work, but its the best thing I could some up with on a tight budget. I have also seen people use this to water indoor plants when they go on vacation. I have also seen the plastic bottles method but I have not had much success with it.

Filling the raised garden bed 

After hours of reading about gardening and how to make a garden successful, the overwhelming conscience was it all comes down to the soil. Because I live in Colorado, working with the native clay wasn’t an option. It’s dense and doesn’t allow for good drainage. Instead, I chose to layer in multiple components of garden soil, compost, and peat moss for hopefully very nutrient rich soil. I found lots of tips and information from the Beginners Garden with Jill.

Step 6

Fill it up. I started by adding river rock to the bottom of the stock tank, careful not to cover any of the holes I drilled. I have done this with plant pots as well to help with drainage and had success so I figured it couldn’t hurt. But make sure you use larger rocks and not pea gravel.

A stock tank filled with small, round stones in various shades of beige and grey sits in the garden. A black cord is seen on the right side, and the edges of the container reflect light.

Then I laid down weed barrier on top of the rocks. I did this to prevent the soil from settling into the crevasses between the rocks and negating my attempts to add good drainage. As I said above, I have never done this before and my decisions were made based on information I learned from others that made sense to me. Use your best judgement because I have only planted some flower beds with a 50/50 success rate.

A large, empty stock tank with a black liner inside is placed on a bed of small stones, ready to be transformed into an exquisite garden feature. Bags of gardening soil are partially visible in the background, hinting at upcoming planting adventures.

Next I added a layer of organic matter (leaves, mulch, sticks etc) that Barry cleaned out of our flower beds before we laid new mulch. I read you can do this to take up space in the garden and save on the amount of soil needed. Because it is organic, it will decompose over time and add nutrients back into the soil. For me, it was the perfect way to take up a little space at the bottom. Will it work? I have no idea.

A stock tank planter brimming with dry mulch and fresh green sprouts stands outdoors, hinting at its rustic charm. In the background, a glimpse of garden supplies completes this cozy scene.

I then added several bags of garden soil, compost, and peat moss keeping the mix at roughly 1/3 ratio of each. I also mixed in several scoops of perlite and worm castings per each layer mixing the combination as I went. You can see video of this in my Instagram story highlight.

Bags of gardening materials, including peat moss, garden soil, organic compost, and steer manure blend, are stacked on a bed of rocks next to a thriving garden. Nearby, an old stock tank adds rustic charm to the picturesque scene.

I filled the stock tank within about 4 inches of the top rim. I only had two bags of compost/cow manure left when I was done. Don’t worry, the manure isn’t as gross as it sounds. You would never know it wasn’t soil. The extra bags went into the garden shed to refresh the soil at a later date.

An outdoor metal planter resembling a stock tank is filled with fresh soil, placed on a gravel area beside a building. The rectangular garden planter appears ready for planting.

Step 7

Plant your veggies. Before I planted mine, I laid them out on top of the soil to make sure they would all fit. I may have overfilled my garden but I was so excited to grow my own vegetables! I planted red pepper, green pepper, banana pepper, poblano pepper, chile pepper, spicy bell pepper, zucchini, broccoli, green beans, tomato, tomatillo, onion, and I transplanted my jalapeno plant from last year.

A rectangular metal stock tank serves as a planter box filled with soil, cradling several small potted plants. This unique garden feature rests on a bed of pebbles against a house wall, where various green plants are neatly arranged inside the tank.

Once I had all my small plants spaced out, I planted them all.

A raised metal garden bed, resembling a stock tank, is filled with rich soil, nurturing young plants like bell peppers, broccoli, and leafy greens. This charming garden corner is surrounded by pebbles and bordered by a brick pathway and a gray wall.

Step 8

Run the drip line. You want each plant to have a nozzle at the base of the stem. This line slowly drips water. I have mine on a timer (included) that runs every day for 20 minutes. Depending on your climate, this may be too much or too little. So far, this seems to be a good amount for my garden, but remember, we have no humidity and very little rain. As we get later into the growing season, I might be able to scale back, but we will see.

A young pepper plant is thriving in soil with a drip irrigation tube nearby, nestled in a charming garden. A label with the name "Bonnie" and a barcode sits beside the plant, capturing the essence of nature's beauty.

Step 9

Enjoy your stock tank raised garden bed! I am hopeful my veggies thrive, but like all things I hear gardening takes practice. If you give it a try, share it on Instagram and tag me šŸ™‚

A metal planter, reminiscent of a stock tank, brims with small, leafy plants and rests on a bed of pebbles outside a building. A wooden sign pops out, cheerfully displaying "Stayin Alive" in chalk, adding charm to the quaint garden scene.

Additional Items to Consider

Water. When planning your garden make sure you have easy access to water. This part is a chore but definitely necessary to keep your plant babies alive. Some people enjoy manually watering everyday, but that is not me and I chose accordingly. If you can tap into your sprinkler system to water your garden, that is a great option too. While this was possible for me, it was not the best option since my outdoor area is already landscaped.

Space. Not everyone has the same amount of space. Luckily I had the perfect spot to add my stock tank garden next to my dining table. I also considered using cinder blocks, but since I am not an expert gardener, I didn’t want something that permanent in case it doesn’t go well, haha! Not to mention, I love the modern look of a black stock tank. If you do not have the space in your own backyard, you might try a smaller stock tank or utilize vertical space. Many people even do a balcony garden with window boxes or terracotta pots.

Access. It is important to be able to reach all areas of your garden. I can access my garden from three sides. You will not only need to water regularly, but you will need to harvest as your vegetables grow.

Grow what you eat. Most of my garden is peppers, and many hot peppers because that is what we cook with. It will be of no use to you if you grow items you do not enjoy cooking with or eating. I am very excited about the tomatillos to make salsa with! I will share the recipe when I do šŸ˜‰

Plan for pests. I have already encountered this in the few weeks I have had my garden planted. At first I thought it was a squirrel since the stock tank sits two feet off the ground. BUT I caught it in the act to find it was actually a bunny! I tried a homemade concoction of peppermint oil, apple cider vinegar, and cayenne pepper first, but that didn’t work. So I picked up this spray and it seems to be an effective way to deter the bunnies so far. I will be sharing updates on this in my Instagram stories so make sure you follow me šŸ˜‰

A raised garden bed crafted from a repurposed stock tank is brimming with vibrant vegetables and plants, including peppers and squash. A drip irrigation system nurtures the rich, dark soil, ensuring the garden remains healthy and lush, a testament to meticulous care.

Fingers crossed I can keep all of these veggies alive. I am somewhat notorious for having a black thumb, so the odds are not in my favor. But, I was very careful to provide a quality soil mix and irrigation, so two of the major problems areas have been addressed. I am also hopeful because my jalapeno plant that I transplanted already has four new peppers growing! 

A raised garden bed brimming with green plants and a wooden sign reading "Stayin' Alive" in white chalk, adds charm against the textured gray wall backdrop. Hints of a rustic stock tank bring a touch of vintage to the flourishing garden setting.

A green jalapeƱo pepper grows on a slender stem with lush leaves and tiny white flowers, thriving in a garden setting against the textured gray wall.

A garden bed with young plants surrounded by pebbles sits against a gray building. A wooden sign reads "Stayin Alive." An inset image shows a silver stock tank, serving as a Behrens water container. The text "Before" is handwritten with an arrow pointing to the garden bed.

A backyard garden scene showcases a large stock tank planter brimming with vibrant plants in the foreground. A small gray shed and wooden steps add charm to the background, all framed by a sturdy wooden fence and lush green trees, creating a serene garden sanctuary.

If you want more backyard ideas make sure you check out my fire pit makeover, backyard makeover with string lights, and these DIY ideas for summer!

An outdoor patio features a chic black metal planter brimming with lush green plants atop white pebbles. Nearby, a patio heater and barbecue grill set the scene, while a chalkboard sign reads "Stayin' Alive." A stylish stock tank adds charm to this inviting garden oasis.

If you enjoyed my DIY Stock Tank Raised Garden Bed, please share it on Facebook or hover over an image and save to Pinterest! And if you don’t already follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook, I would love for us to be friends!

A small vegetable garden flourishes in a repurposed stock tank, with various plants thriving. A wooden stake holds a chalkboard sign reading "Stayin' Alive." The backdrop features a textured gray wall, complementing the rustic vibe of this charming garden setup.

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A raised garden bed crafted from a black stock tank brimming with lush green plants rests gracefully on a bed of white stones. A charming chalkboard sign declares "Stayin Alive." Text on the image reads "DIY Stock Tank Garden Bed.

This post, DIY Stock Tank Raised Garden Bed, appeared first on Garrison Street Design Studio.

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