Vegetable beds

russ_isles · April 2023

I am starting to create a vegetable garden with small raised beds (it’s currently grass). Rather than do this all in one hit I am going to do them bit by bit and then either pave or gravel in between with weed fabric first. Can I use willow edging to create the supporting outer panels rather than wood? Or does the soil leach out? Thoughts please from more experienced gardeners appreciated

Dovefromabove · April 2023

Hello @russ_isles and welcome to the forum 😊

If you’re talking about woven willow panels, then I’m afraid they won’t work … as you suspect, the soil will fall through the gaps, and also will be washed through as you water your plants.

Emptyheadtime · April 2023

I agree with Dove. Also I don't think it would last too long either, I had a willow screen once but it rotted away in just a few years.

Fairygirl · April 2023

Better to use good quality timber @russ_isles - many people use scaffold boards too.
Remember to line them too.
There are people who criticise raised beds, but they're extremely useful if you have heavy compacted soil and lots of rain.

russ_isles · April 2023

Do you have a view on untreated vs treated timber? Should treated be lined on the inside surface. Do you remove the turf and have an open bottom into soil below or place on top of grass with a full liner stapled to the entire bottom? Thanks

Fairygirl · April 2023

It'll depend on the height of the beds as to what you do with the grass. I use turf upturned on deeper beds - ie around a foot or more. On a shallower bed, I'd remove the turf so that you're directly on the soil. It also depends what you're growing/planting.

You wouldn't need to line the bottom if you were leaving the grass as it is, unless it was less than around a foot in depth. However, it's still far better to lift and turn the turf, or use it elsewhere though, as that saves any lining anyway. If you scalp the grass well first, it's even better, as it's less likely to sprout to any extent. You can stack turf up and leave it rot down - it's very useful for adding to beds/borders later on. I use it in the base of containers for annuals.

I always line the inside of timber. It helps to retain moisture [raised beds tend to be freer draining] and also helps protect the wood itself. Most of the wood I use is good quality, treated fence timber.

russ_isles · April 2023

Brilliant thank you 🙏

BenCotto · April 2023

When making raised beds I found the brackets from this company were very good

https://www.indooroutdoors.co.uk/collections/staked-brackets/products/timber-railway-sleeper-driveway-path-pathway-edge-edging-bracket-heavy-duty-black?gclid=Cj0KCQjwocShBhCOARIsAFVYq0i1HMGZrXkoxeo8iPID2V6GxYZoTDelZDHso_E_cxRUhB9iNlr05r0aAkkoEALw_wcB

Jenny_Aster · April 2023

Found this on the internet:

"Woven willow raised bed as seen in the award winning Daylesford Organic Garden at Chelsea Flower Show & Runnymede Surrey Magna Carta 800th. Anniversary Garden"

You can buy a kit:

"Kit contents:

4 Woven Panels
Plastic liner (to protect the willow panels)
Ties
Instructions with colour photo’s ( laminated for use outdoors)

All measurements are external and subject to natural variation in a handmade product Also available in 1m x 0.5m, 1m x 2m, 1m x 3m + Bespoke"

https://waterwillows.com/product/ch1-small-woven-willow-raised-beds/

russ_isles · April 2023

Thank you everyone this forum is great. I am thinking maybe I won’t raise the bed but create it at ground level and edge with willow. I may need to improve the soil although we are right in the middle of grade 1 arable land. And then edge with woven willow.

Fairygirl · April 2023

It's a lovely idea [the willow crates] but you need a very good bank balance if your beds are large or there's a lot of them

Vegetable beds

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