It’s a great child friendly project too – showing them the importance of nature as well as letting them get a little muddy – which we all know kids love!
So, you’re probably thinking ‘where do I start?’ - Well we’ve collated a few pointers below which will hopefully get your raised bed project off to a cracking start!
What materials shall I use?
Raised beds can be made out of a number of materials - wood, stone or even cinderblocks, but if you’re looking to keep costs down then we would suggest using wood.
Sleepers can make a great addition to your garden and are perfect for raised beds – be it solid oak or tanatone. We would recommend staying away from reclaimed sleepers if you’re using the bed for growing edibles due to the toxins that have been used to preserve the wood, however we have a full selection of suitable sleepers or other treated woods that you can choose from – just depends on your budget and the overall look you want to achieve from your garden.
Sleepers can be held together by using galvanised steel screws and bolts and you can line your bed with geotextile fabric to protect their longevity.
How big do I want my bed?
What do I fill my bed with?
Once you’ve dug out the bottom of your area put a layer of gravel, which will help with your drainage, especially if you’re bed is in a damp or boggy area. Then once your sides have been fixed into place we would recommend using compost or soil, rather than the dirt from the garden, this will ensure your plants or fruit and veg have the best possible start in life!
If you need a little more inspiration, then Home Garden Ideas have showcased some great ideas of different ways you can do your raised bed…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzOiVv_8Za8
We’d love to see your raised beds – so please send us your pictures and we’ll share them on social media!