Thanks Obelixx, I planted dwarf apple trees in between the beds behind the benches and thought it would be nice to sit under them for a spot of dappled shade. Very happy with the result, as for cost the wood cost £225 in total for all the raised beds and benches combined, I had 3 sleepers spare which I used 2 for a sand pit for my little ones and one for framing another apple tree planted in the garden.
I think sleepers or gravel boards are a decent way to build raised beds for relatively cheap.
Thanks everyone, we are going to give it ago this weekend.
If shareable I will post the pictures - if not we have a few months to make it work haha. As my main reason doing them is to grow our own, so my little girl who is currently 7 months can get involved and learn about food and growing etc.
Thanks again some lovely looking beds here, which I would like to copy but limited money and DIY skills prevent this
Good luck with them @charlotterogerson. Mine worked out at about £1 per metre for the timber -heavy duty stuff. They don't have to be massive or terribly high either for your veg. Especially if you want your wee one to get involved in future. Perhaps you can do 'a little one especially built for a little one'
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've just built mine with used scaffold board 4' wide 7'6" long to fit beside the greenhouse. These 13' scaffold boardsI got off Gumtree for £6ea I used a couple of 3x3" fence posts cut to size as the legs. Remember to leave abou 18" to 2' between beds for access. Hope this helps
First off, I have to own up to abandoning raised beds. I started out veg growing that way. It was a ton of work, expensive and the yields dropped drastically after four years despite bringing in tons of compost.
I tried traditional methods, stuck with it for last 10 years. Land keeps good 'heart' and yields match my first results with raised beds.
I keep completely up-to-date with no dig systems though. All the main players also abandoned raised beds. By far the most common method now is to lay out rows of compost direct onto the ground, make wood chip paths between rows and that is it. Plant away. I've seen some very successful and intensive cropping systems using this very modern approach to no-dig.
It can be a cost effective alternative because wood heavy enough to last a few seasons, rarely comes cheap unless you get lucky with a local supply.
I don't mean to undermine any of the advice here at all. Raised beds could be a good choice for a lot of reasons, aesthetics, access for those with back problems etc. Just wanted to let you know that 'no wooden sides' is an option when making raised beds. They can just be 'raised' above ground level.
Charles Dowding can be found on the web and YouTube. He is a good source of information. It's quite interesting to see how he switched from constructed raised beds, to large plots that look traditional, but are actually completely no dig.
You will need support half way along those two big beds, to stop the weight of soil bowing them. Also you could line the wood to protect it inside and then paint the outside. Not sure if the depth will do for root veg, looks a little shallow.🤔
You will need support half way along those two big beds, to stop the weight of soil bowing them. Also you could line the wood to protect it inside and then paint the outside. Not sure if the depth will do for root veg, looks a little shallow.🤔
Thank you, I said to my other half both of those but he didn’t listen! Maybe he will now.
Regarding depth will see how we get on with these if we stick to it and actually get on with it - we will be making some more so can keep that in mind for those.
Posts
I think sleepers or gravel boards are a decent way to build raised beds for relatively cheap.
If shareable I will post the pictures - if not we have a few months to make it work haha. As my main reason doing them is to grow our own, so my little girl who is currently 7 months can get involved and learn about food and growing etc.
Thanks again some lovely looking beds here, which I would like to copy but limited money and DIY skills prevent this
They don't have to be massive or terribly high either for your veg. Especially if you want your wee one to get involved in future.
Perhaps you can do 'a little one especially built for a little one'
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1027208/what-to-fill-a-raised-bed-with/p2
First off, I have to own up to abandoning raised beds. I started out veg growing that way. It was a ton of work, expensive and the yields dropped drastically after four years despite bringing in tons of compost.
I tried traditional methods, stuck with it for last 10 years. Land keeps good 'heart' and yields match my first results with raised beds.
I keep completely up-to-date with no dig systems though. All the main players also abandoned raised beds. By far the most common method now is to lay out rows of compost direct onto the ground, make wood chip paths between rows and that is it. Plant away. I've seen some very successful and intensive cropping systems using this very modern approach to no-dig.
It can be a cost effective alternative because wood heavy enough to last a few seasons, rarely comes cheap unless you get lucky with a local supply.
I don't mean to undermine any of the advice here at all. Raised beds could be a good choice for a lot of reasons, aesthetics, access for those with back problems etc. Just wanted to let you know that 'no wooden sides' is an option when making raised beds. They can just be 'raised' above ground level.
Charles Dowding can be found on the web and YouTube. He is a good source of information. It's quite interesting to see how he switched from constructed raised beds, to large plots that look traditional, but are actually completely no dig.
Not sure if the depth will do for root veg, looks a little shallow.🤔
those.