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Depth of raised beds?

Kathy43Kathy43 Posts: 116
in Garden design
So, we want raised beds. What's the recommended depth, to give me the most choice of plants? I would like tall plants, so suggestions for those would be great. In full sun. Thanks 
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  • NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813
    I realise you are talking about "tall plants " but this maybe helpful

    I made two RBs for my vegetables from scaffolding boards. A few years ago the scaf chaps would want to give you the old broken ones of the back of the lorry as it saved them taking them back to the depot but now you may have to buy them from a reclamation yard.about £10 each but you collect

    A board is 11 foot 6 inches long so I stupidly cut them in half and used 4 to make a bed 18 inches high. I then cant easily reach the middle to pick the crops.

    I made a second one and cut them 4 foot long and made it 3 boards high ie just over
    2 foot 6 inches tall. I then added stones at the bottom and then alternating layers of manure and top soil. Total cost £200.

    The parsnips and carrots and beetroot loved it and I have just added more compost to "top up " for the Autumn.One parsnip was 18 inches long and took me 15 minutes to get him out !!

    I realise you want "tall plants " but the principle is the same. Depth of soil and an area of soil that you can isolate from the other areas and it does not get trodden on.


    Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I have some ranging from around a foot in height and depth, to about two feet high and three to four feet in depth. I grow lots of shrubs, bulbs, perennials and clematis in them - depending on what suits. The advantage of them is that you can make the soil suit the planting too  :)
     Delphiniums, verbascums, lilies, fennel, salvias, agastaches, liatris, nigella, larkspur, lychnis, cyrsium and yarrow will all give some height without too much spread. I'm sure others will come up with suggestions too  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Kathy are you talking about raised beds on top of your concrete?
  • Kathy43Kathy43 Posts: 116
    Yes, there is 6inches of soil on the concrete, with grass on, but it's not doing well on there, too dry and not deep enough. It was a path once. Pointless having one at all! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Didn't realise you had concrete - have I missed some other post?   :o
    You can still make them on top of it - but you'll have to allow space for drainage. Ideally, make freestanding 'containers' and put a false bottom in them - marine ply with drainage holes, covered with plastic or landscape fabric, will be ideal. Holes in the plastic too, if you use that   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Yes @Fairygirl Katy was asking about fence on raised beds as they couldn't dig the concrete. Thought the same as you and you could add fence to the back. 
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Apologies Kathy not Katy
  • NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813
    Where did the concrete come from
    Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
  • Kathy43Kathy43 Posts: 116
    It was an old path
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Can't you dig out the concrete?  Can you give more details, or a photo?
    Anyway - my plant suggestions, and subsequent post re the raised beds still stand.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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