Tall raised bed construction ideas

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Runwell-Steve

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Tall raised bed construction ideas
« on: September 12, 2011, 14:50 »
Hi all.

I am planning on building some raised beds in the garden so my wife can tend the crops.

We are planning on having 2 that are 8 x 4 and possibly a couple of smaller ones,  not really sure yet as we haven't really planned the space yet.

The beds are going to have to be 2'6'' high, as that seems to be a comfortable working height when sat down, which my wife will be when working on them.

I don't want the raised trough things as I think they will dry out too quick, I am planning on having straight sides to the ground and just filling them up with some good topsoil / manure / compost etc..

Obviously, these will contain a lot of soil, and hence a lot of weight.  What do you think would be best to construct them with.

I have considered,
Brick, I'm not a master bricky but could probably manage these,
Block, should be quicker to lay,
Railway sleepers, not sure how easy these will be to cut to size, move into position and join together, although they will look nicer.

Can anyone suggest any other options?

I have plenty of manure and compost down the allotment I can use to fill them up with once built, and a large trailer to shift it in.

Many Thanks


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Aunt Sally

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Re: Tall raised bed construction ideas
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2011, 14:58 »
Mine are made of wood


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Plottered

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Re: Tall raised bed construction ideas
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2011, 15:37 »
There are some on our Community allotment plot for wheelchair users which are made from the concrete base panels for fencing. probably about 3 high. Very solid and going nowhere.
R.I.P Bobby Smiler Smith......love you always little fella.

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mumofstig

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Re: Tall raised bed construction ideas
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2011, 16:04 »
Mine are made of wood




That looks nice and solid and I love the colour  :D

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Aunt Sally

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Re: Tall raised bed construction ideas
« Reply #4 on: September 12, 2011, 16:06 »
I've got two like that.  All made from recycled wood.

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Kleftiwallah

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Re: Tall raised bed construction ideas
« Reply #5 on: September 12, 2011, 17:12 »

Easy peasy.  .  .  paving slabs (or flagstones) on edge with an angle iron collar round the top.   If you want I'll take a snap of mine so you get a better idea.   :blink:   Cheers,    Tony.
I may be growing OLD, but I refuse to grow UP !

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Aunt Sally

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Re: Tall raised bed construction ideas
« Reply #6 on: September 12, 2011, 17:54 »
That would be interesting to see Kleftiwallah.

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Trillium

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Re: Tall raised bed construction ideas
« Reply #7 on: September 12, 2011, 22:30 »
At 2'6" high, you'll need strong reinforcing so the soil doesn't blow out the walls. Wood sides like aunty's would need 2-3 interior braces along each length plus corner posts. For concrete bock walls, I found using a caulk type adhesive made for landscaping blocks works dandy. Its easy to apply and can easily be taken apart later if not wanted. You can lay a flat bit of halved paving stone on top for comfy seating.

To easy the weight of soil and cost of soil, add coarse gravel at the bottom for a few inches to improve drainage as well.

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Aunt Sally

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Re: Tall raised bed construction ideas
« Reply #8 on: September 12, 2011, 22:43 »
At 2'6" high, you'll need strong reinforcing so the soil doesn't blow out the walls. Wood sides like aunty's would need 2-3 interior braces along each length plus corner posts.

Mine are only 16" high and before we filled them with soil we added braces to the centres of the long sides.

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Trillium

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Re: Tall raised bed construction ideas
« Reply #9 on: September 13, 2011, 01:35 »
Exactly, Aunty. As Steve's are almost twice your height, he'd need more bracing as that much soil, when soggy, can do a lot of damage.

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Runwell-Steve

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Re: Tall raised bed construction ideas
« Reply #10 on: September 13, 2011, 16:34 »
Thanks all, thats really helpful.

I'm preferring the idea of wood as they will look nicer, As long as I get something quite sturdy and brace it all well it should hopefully hold the weight.

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Kleftiwallah

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Re: Tall raised bed construction ideas
« Reply #11 on: September 13, 2011, 17:12 »


Here y'are




Not the tidyest garden.   I started off by sinking the slabs / flags about 12" into the ground, but now I'm on my 5th rasied bed of the same typoe of construction, I leave the slab on the ground and peg where needed (i.e. at the corners)..  A lot narrower than sleepers so less stretch over and more acreage for your veggies.     Cheers,     Tony.

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Aunt Sally

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Re: Tall raised bed construction ideas
« Reply #12 on: September 13, 2011, 18:00 »
Did you weld the corners Kleftiwallah ?

I was just wondering how someone who can't do welding could join them.

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Kleftiwallah

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Re: Tall raised bed construction ideas
« Reply #13 on: September 13, 2011, 18:09 »

You are correct, the corners are welded.

There are some corner brackets, some like a large 'L' shape pre-drilled with holes available from builders merchants which could be bolted to the top surface of the angle iron,  a strip of steel bent 90 degrees equidistant could be bolted to the vertical face for added security.   

Use countersunk bolts to keep the upper surface flush or mushroom headed bolts, if you wanted, holes could be drilled in the face and end of the flagstone to take the nuts keepng the angle iron in full contact with the flags reducing the hidey holes for wood louses!,    Have fun.    Cheers,     Tony.

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compostqueen

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Re: Tall raised bed construction ideas
« Reply #14 on: September 14, 2011, 17:19 »
I have some Link-a-bord raised beds and they're great, and so easy to put up. I can do them on my own, which is all to the good as that's the only way they'd get built  :nowink:

I collected mine to save on postage but then I live close by  :)



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