New Bed - old bricks

Ray.f.walkerlFgc1C9U · November 2021

can you help

I have a new raised bed built of brick 45cms high, i have the old bricks lining in the bottom which take up about 10 cms in depth. i was planning on filling the bed with top soil.
2 questions
1 is it ok to leave the old bricks in
2 Should i top up with top soil only or add grit and or some form of compost. the plan is to plant the beds with with climbing roses, small plants and herbs though if possible i would like to plant a small cherry blossom

Lizzie27 · November 2021

Hello Ray,

I don't think the old bricks will be a problem. What is underneath them? If it's soil, then climbing roses might be possible but if it's a solid slab, concrete or heavy clay that might present a problem. Top soil would be fine of John Innes No. 3 compost which is generally used for long term plants in containers. You might have to be careful which plants and herbs you plant as roses like a rich soil (usually with well rotted manure added) but things like lavender and herbs from hot dry countries don't.

I'm not sure that a small cherry blossom tree would survive I'm afraid.

Fairygirl · November 2021

Hi @Ray.f.walkerlFgc1C9U - I'd take them out if you want anything that needs to get roots down properly. However, the overall dimensions of the bed are also a big factor. For example, if it's only 18 inches in each direction, that won't be sizeable enough for many shrubs and trees, especially if you want other plants in there. It's a very different volume from one which is 4 feet long by 2 feet depth [front to back] which would be fine for lots of bigger shrubs and climbers.
The depth as it is would be fine for most perennials etc, as they need less room generally, depending on what you want to have.
As @Lizzie27 says, it's important to pick plants which are happy in the same conditions, and to see what's underneath the bricks, before making a decision.

Ray.f.walkerlFgc1C9U · November 2021

Hi thank you both for your helpful responses

the overall dimension of thh hi e bed is 7m long x0.7m wide and 45cm deep

there Is no concrete below the bricks just soil

We put the bricks in thinking it would help with drainage and also reduce the amount of top soil needed which is a lot!

We don’t intend to plant many plants with large toots apart from the roses. I’m now thinking I’ll clear the bricks from where we intend to plant the roses

many thanks for your help

Fairygirl · November 2021

That sounds ideal

You'll find the soil level will drop regularly, so it's worth filling it now, and leaving until spring to top up and plant.

New Bed - old bricks

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