Raised Garden Beds, Design, DIY, Kits And Materials

Both raised garden beds for ornamental plants, and raised vegetable garden beds are usually made of materials such as corrugated iron (colorbond) or timber and are popular for many reasons, they help with drainage, prevent soil compaction, act as a barrier to dogs and other animals and a raised garden bed is an excellent way to provide easy access for those in wheelchairs and can also help prevent back strain. Raised garden beds can also act as a design feature in your garden. A range of DIY Raised Vegetable Garden Kits are available for sale online and from better retail nurseries in Australia.

Raised garden beds, either temporary garden beds that may be moved if required, or permanent that are fixed such as brick or masonry are an excellent solution to gardening problems.

Height of raised garden beds.

It is important to work out the purpose of the raised garden bed as this will determine the height.

for wheelchair access etc
as a design feature
to keep dogs away
as a design element

Each of these will have a different height, however remember that raised garden beds will need to be a minimum depth for different plants. Herbs will only need 10 -12 cm. Root crops will need much more.

Width of raised garden beds

As a rule raised garden beds that need to be accessed easily should be no wider than twice the reach of the average person if you have access from both sides, or the reach of an average person if you only have access from one side.

Raised Garden Beds corrugated iron
Raised Corrugated Iron or Colorbond Garden Beds(picture above) are lightweight and a 'one piece construction.

Material for making raised garden beds.

Raised garden beds including vegetable garden beds should be constructed of non toxic materials, commercial raised garden beds come in a wide range of materials including:

Colorbond metal
Timber
Recycled plastic
Brick and masonry

Made from Bricks, this Raised Herb Garden Bed surrounded by wheelchair accessible paths is a permanent feature

Raised garden beds Brisbane & Qld.

Construct a raised garden bed.
Easy steps to constructing a raised garden bed

select a sunny position, especially for raised vegetable garden beds and make out the size of the garden bed.
level the area remembering to provide access paths from all sides for wider raised gardens.
choose your materials, timber, stone or corrugated iron and construct the raised walls of the garden bed to desired height. 60cm is really the minimum
use newspaper, carpet, or weed mat to line the bottom of the bed to prevent weed growth.
fill the garden bed with a mixture of well rotted compost, good clean soil and manure. Using clean soil from other parts of the garden will reduce costs if you need to purchase some extra compost and manure

mix in some blood and bone or similar fertilizer.

give the new garden bed a soak

you are ready to start planting in you new raised garden bed

Raised Garden Bed Made with Sleepers
A simple Raised Garden Bed made from timber can provide some added height to the garden.

Need a Little Extra Warmth in the Vegatable Garden?

Remember that by using hoops of tubing, plastic or metal and either clear poly hothouse plastic or shade cloth, you can create a mini green house, or shade house when making your raised vegetable garden bed.

Treated Pine is not suitable constructing a raised garden bed if you are considering growing vegetables. Treated Pine can release toxins into the soil, check with your supplier.

Dry Stone Wall Raused Garden
A Dry Stone Wall can be used to create a low raised Garden

Drainage.
Most Raised Garden Beds do not have bases, so drainage is not a big problem, however check the drainage of the soil where you are going to position the new garden. If the raised garden bed has a base, check with the manufacture about drainage.

Corrugated Iron, Timber and ready made Raised Garden Beds, DIY and KITS

GREENSMART'S SELF - WATERING POT FOR GROWING VEGETABLES & HERBS
Unique visual water indicator
Grow high quality vegetables and herbs
Pot reservoir holds enough water for approx 7 - 10 days
Significant water savings - UV resistant - Low Maintenance
www.greensmartpots.com.au

GOLD COAST GARDEN Pty Ltd
PO 5733 Q Super Centre Mermaid Waters QLD 4218 - phone: 0414 444 920
Quality Steel Raised Garden Beds. 138 sizes and 21 colorbond colours. Light weight, durable, single piece construction. 5 year manufacture warranty.

POLYFENCE & YARDS
PO Box 239 Eaglehawk Victoria 3556 - phone: 0478305460 fax: 0354467881
PolyFence & Yards Can custom make PVC Raised Garden beds From a small Square to large modular garden systems, PVC Post and Rail and Picket fencing also.

BIRDIES GARDEN PRODUCTS
35 Alex Fisher Drive, West Burleigh Gold Coast QLD 4220
phone: 1300 424 734

WEATHERWORKS AUSTRALIA /THE SUSTAINABILITY STORE
48 Johnson Place Wattle Grove Perth W.A 6107 - phone: 08 9359 2582 fax: 08 9359 2580
Assortment weather instruments and garden products to schools, business, agriculture and the general public:- Raised Garden Beds, Wheelie bin Worm Farms, Compost Bays,Fertilizers

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