Building my raised beds - I've started...

[gingerneil]

Made a start this morning on my raised beds. Had to take a break because my drill needs charging...GRR!
Building them from old scaffold boards I picked up locally, screwing them together using 2x2 timber in the corners. The boards are about 6 foot long.
Pics uploaded here:
http://gingerneil.homeip.net:3121/ga...g2_itemId=3492

I'm getting there, slowly... Its only a small patch in the garden, but it helps keep me sane!

Anyone got any tips on how to attach wire/net etc to enable me to put fleece/plastic etc over the top in a kind of 'dome' effect ?

[shirlthegirl43]

Blue alkathene water pipe is often used for that job. You can buy it from plumbing suppliers. Madmax screwed lengths of 2 x 2 onto my scaffold boards and then built a frame about four and a half foot high which I put the netting around and over to keep the flutterbyes off last year - watch that your plants are not touching the net or fleece though as they will lay eggs through the net onto any available leaves.

[zazen999]

Hi.
I use a rechargeable drill and screwdriver as well, and when it needs recharging always get the OH to make me a cuppa...tea and woodwork go very well together IMHO.

I usually stick long thin sticks [about 2 feet high by an inch square] in each corner and attach fleece to those, then I can move it around [all my beds are the same square sizes, so interchangeable]. I like the idea of a dome though so will be watching for any more ideas on this, esp if it doesn't cost anything.

[gingerneil]

Blue alkathene water pipe is often used for that job. You can buy it from plumbing suppliers.

You this type of stuff?
MDPE Blue Pipe 25mm x 50m - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

I like the idea of that ...

Although the idea of sticks in each corner and then fleece etc attached to that maybe sounds simpler.

I'll see if I have any will left after building the beds
(battery just ran out again and I'm almost finished ! Arrghh. Lunchtime!)

[Sinta]

Sorry if this is off topic slightly, but on your pic you have a waterbutt catching rainfall from your shed roof. I'm trying to do something similar. How easy was that for you to sort out?

On topic: Doesn't matter how small a patch you have I only have space for two raised beds, but they make a world of difference.

[Pumpkin Becki]

You this type of stuff?
MDPE Blue Pipe 25mm x 50m - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys


Although the idea of sticks in each corner and then fleece etc attached to that maybe sounds simpler.

It's worth poking holes in some tennis balls and putting them on top of your sticks, then draping your fleece or netting over the balls. That way the fleece won't get torn by the sticks, or if you use net, it won't constantly slip down the sticks! I hope that made sense

[chrissie the chippy]

You this type of stuff?
MDPE Blue Pipe 25mm x 50m - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

I like the idea of that ...

Although the idea of sticks in each corner and then fleece etc attached to that maybe sounds simpler.

I'll see if I have any will left after building the beds
(battery just ran out again and I'm almost finished ! Arrghh. Lunchtime!)

ooh, that's expensive! (or maybe I'm just cheap ), might be worth keeping an eye out while driving around if people are having alterations done/ new builds etc..... sure they wont mind you having some if you ask nicely

Other than that, maybe an old hose pipe cut to length and secured with canes, might be a bit flimsy though, haven't tried it yet myself.

[gingerneil]

Sorry if this is off topic slightly, but on your pic you have a waterbutt catching rainfall from your shed roof. I'm trying to do something similar. How easy was that for you to sort out?

On topic: Doesn't matter how small a patch you have I only have space for two raised beds, but they make a world of difference.

Very easy - just some guttering screwed to the shed, with a downpipe straight into the waterbutt. The butt sits on a stand, with a tap. It works, but there is no overflow pipe so it just spills over the top. Its a small shed, but I never run out of water..

[gingerneil]

It's worth poking holes in some tennis balls and putting them on top of your sticks, then draping your fleece or netting over the balls. That way the fleece won't get torn by the sticks, or if you use net, it won't constantly slip down the sticks! I hope that made sense

Ah, good plan !

[scotti]

Raised beds

Did something similar, but instead of the 2x2 struts in the back corners used 4x4 by 6 foot struts. Then placed a trellis between the upper part of the struts (15 in x 6 foot). Then I place wires between the bottom of the trellis to the top of the raised bed as a support for climbing plants - either sweet peas to attract the pollinators or tom. plants etc. Also use Spanish rings in the trellis to place in pots of trailing plants, again, tumbling toms. Can place fleece over the trellis and drape down to the front of the bed. As this is like a mini half ridge tent, leaves room for the plants to grow without touching the fleece.

[cottage garden]

Looks great, I am putting mine up this weekend. No more digging........Hurrah!

[gardenplot]

I made a small veg plot in my garden with small raised beds; I have just stuck some canes in and connected some hula hoops to make a support for plastic/fleece & nets.

[gingerneil]

anyone know what I could stain them with ? I assume 'fence' stuff isn't food safe ?

[hawthorns]

i used the cuprinol fence stain give them 3 coats