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Off-the-peg raised bed recommendations
WildFlower_UK
Posts: 236
in Fruit & veg
We would like to install a raised bed this winter, ready for the spring. Size wise we're fortunate to be a bit flexible, but are looking at a single small bed around the 450-500lt capacity (so around 12inch in height and something like 1x1.5m or 1.2x1.8m). It will be installed on our lawn area, and we plan to simply cut into the turf, turn the turf over and lay the bed kit and soil on top.
Any suggestions for where to buy such a reasonably priced raised bed kit? Looking for personal recommendations. Price wise, ideally up to around £80-£100 max. Wooden bed ideally but would look at non-wood options. It's for vegetables. There's so much choice out there I don't know where to start!
Any suggestions for where to buy such a reasonably priced raised bed kit? Looking for personal recommendations. Price wise, ideally up to around £80-£100 max. Wooden bed ideally but would look at non-wood options. It's for vegetables. There's so much choice out there I don't know where to start!
"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need"
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Plastic lined to retain moisture and protect the wood - membrane is no use. That can be old compost bags, which is a good way to use them too.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Also, random question, but how do you get 2x2 into the ground solidly?
We don't have a heavy duty jigsaw either, but reckon we could ask our brother in law to help and he has one
Brand new sleepers are relatively expensive, because you're paying for the appearance and aesthetics. But for a "working veg" raised bed, where what you're growing is more important than a clean, styled look, you can pick up old sleepers, boards etc very cheap. I use old pallets and similar for my beds, they last ages and if a bit rots, I just knock it out and replace it. My best find was a bunch of 3ft deep wooden tile crates - I grow root veg in them directly, works perfectly.
If you don't want to do it with old pallets (which, admittedly, can look a bit haphazard for a garden), then decking is another option. If you get lucky with a special offer, Wickes were doing 2 meter lengths, 2 for £5 last year. A few lengths, a few screws, some posts for the burgers corners and you're done for less than £30!
@Fairygirl oh, that's what I meant - what do you call a damp proof membrane up north? The black plasticy stuff? But old compost bags are a much better and zero cost idea, I like that.
Yes - anything that isn't porous, but not on the base, as you need drainage.
My ground is heavy, so a piece of 2 x 2 can be banged in a with a peen hammer, or even an ordinary one, and then the ground pushed back against it. You can shove some of that ready mixed concrete round it though if needed.
You can also just make a 'box' by attaching timber to the posts. That's really what most of the kits are anyway
If you want it to be ornamental, add a timber coping too.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Another - final - question, which is about the soil mix for the raised beds. I plan to grow some salad/lettuce, beets and green beans in the beds, along with some basil and coriander, so all things that like good moisture I believe. What would be the best soil/compost mix given that I'm starting from scratch? I've started a compost pile this year but there won't be a huge amount for spring 2021, so will need to buy mostly new. And going forward, do I just clear the dead/dying veg plants next Autumn and add a layer of compost to the top to filter in over the winter?
@WildFlower85 see if he can get hold of tile crates as well. Below are some of my parsnips, which surprisingly do very well in my carefully designed raised bed
As for mix, for your veg personally I'd fill the bed with compost for the first year, then replace a third each year. However others may advise you to do a topsoil / compost mix. You'll need to plan your planting and succession carefully, as 4ft x 6.5ft isn't massive but is a good space to grow a decent amount. Personally I wouldn't put coriander and basil in the bed - they will do fine in pots or troughs, and the bed space will be better used for the other veg.
Home made compost is a soil conditioner, so it's excellent for using in your bed, but it's different from commercial compost that we buy in GCs etc. That has nutrients in it, so offers food for plants, rather than just being a soil conditioner alone. A mix of all will be a great start, and then you can add compost as you go along, as well as any other food that's required.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...