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Building a garden bed over cement plzzzz help

DrGreenThumb31DrGreenThumb31 Posts: 30
in Talkback
Hey guys im new to gardening and imma need some help plzzz. I want to build a garden bed over cement, im wondering if i need any drain holes or anything?
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  • NGLittleSeedlingsNGLittleSeedlings Posts: 729

    I have a raised bed which has a black sheet at the bottom with drainage holes cut in, then a layer of crocs and broken brick for drainage which was then topped up with a mix of Top Soil, Compost & Manure.


  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114
    All my raised beds where I grow vegetables are on Tarmac. Drainage is not a problem. But drying out is.
  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    If your'e going to build a bed in concrete, you solve the drainage problem by leaving a slit on the bottom layer of bricks. Just leave a slit every fourth brick by not putting cement on the horizontal edge when laying.

  • treehugger80treehugger80 Posts: 1,923

    if you are making it out of brick then leave gaps at the bottom (bits of hose between the bricks on the bottom course works well) or use wood (as there are always gaps)

    however, I would also make it as deep as possible as, although you're worried about drainage, I'd be more worried about it drying out in summer.

  • DrGreenThumb31DrGreenThumb31 Posts: 30
    Hmmmm thanks guys i am making it out of wood so there would be cracks but do i have to put anything over the cement before i lie soil and compose down??
  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114
    I have the soil straight on the Tarmac. I am experimenting with damp-proof plastic between the soil and the wooden surround to see if that stops it rotting so quickly.



    Drainage has never been a problem, and I make no arrangement for it. Water always finds its way out.
  • DrGreenThumb31DrGreenThumb31 Posts: 30
    Koo thanks brotha. Does the wood quickly rott??
  • SwissSueSwissSue Posts: 1,447

    We made ours out of scaffolding boards, they are now 8 years old and showing no signs of rot. Used ones are cheaper if you can get them.

    Here a couple of links that might be useful:

    http://www.cambridgewoodworks.org.uk/scaffold-boards-offer-extended/

    http://www.ajeer.co.uk/reclaimed-not-for-use-scaffold-boards-80

     

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,136

    Interesting links Sue - I've made a note of those, thanks image - but probably not useful for the Original Poster as he's in the USA


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Beaus MumBeaus Mum Posts: 3,554

    Hi dr green thumbs if you are making from wood maybe you could put small blocks as feet so it would be raised inch or so above the concrete? image

     

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