[kermit]

Thought Id post some pics of my newly finished and planted raised beds.  Received so much great advice on this forum - thanks to everyone!

[joyfull]

looking good there 

[kermit]

ooo, the pic worked!  I'll try some more...

[Yorkie]

That looks really good, you should be proud of your work 

[Elcie]

They look great, what are you planning on planting?

[Oliver]

Thought Id post some pics of my newly finished and planted raised beds.  Received so much great advice on this forum - thanks to everyone!

Now THAT'S what I call a raised bed. Very nice.
Oliver

[Lee G]

Fantastic job Kermit, they look great.

[kermit]

Thanks guys.  1st bed has a makeshift munty for runners and french - this will come down when they're done.  Uderneath is spinach, lettuce and a row of peas.  2nd / middle bed is courgettes, calbrese and some celery.  3rd bed (which has most shade) is salad, spinach and herbs.  We also have a load of spuds, carrots, BBs etc in bags / pots and toms in 2 mini plastic greenhouses.

Worst bit was undoubtedly all the digging - we have the worst rock & heavy clay soil thanks to being a 'new-build' garden.  Next worst thing was trying to find enough compost, soil, manure to start filling the beds - as you can see, plenty of room for adding things in future years 

[Thompson24]

do you mine me asking what size and type off wood you used and roughly how much it costs.  Im looking to do some raised beds and really like the look of yours?

[barney rubble]

looks really good - and also looks like a young weeder in the training there too!

[kermit]

do you mine me asking what size and type off wood you used and roughly how much it costs.  Im looking to do some raised beds and really like the look of yours?

Ordered the wood from a local merchant - they delivered for £10 and supplied it cut to measure.  I just provided the measurements.  Its pressure treated - the guy promised it was safe for veggies, here's hoping   :blink:

Cant remember the exact sizes but they're around 1.5 - 2 inches thick, about 2 foot high (2 boards), 1.2m across and 2.4m long.  I wanted to go that high to get as much drainage as possible although I still dug into the ground about 20-30cm.  All in the wood was pretty expensive, but I needed wood that would last sitting in wet clay / puddles and our wet climate.

In terms of construction, used the biggest coach bolts I could find and drilled through posts about 2.5inch square.  Dont get coach bolts from B&Q or Wikes - extortionate.  I literally got them for 1/4 of the price in an independent ironmonger.

Good luck - let me know if I can help further.  Its nice to actually be in a position to give advice here for a change 

[Patricia]

Well done!!!

[Oliver]

I wanted to go that high to get as much drainage as possible although I still dug into the ground about 20-30cm.  All in the wood was pretty expensive, but I needed wood that would last sitting in wet clay / puddles and our wet climate.

All the right reasons for making a raised bed. The depth also means you can grow carrots and parsnips a decent length. A lot of 'fashionable' raised beds are too shallow for this purpose.
Oliver