Do raised beds need to be raised?!

[Likac66]

So, I have my allotment and want to use boards to border the beds. I'm not actually that bothered about the idea of "raised" beds, but I like the look of beds like this. I think they look really neat and tidy. I'm planning on using treated softwood that are only 4" high and they will sit on top of the ground with wooden pegs in each corner that will be sunk into the ground. Each bed will be 1.2 x 2.4m. (4ft x 8ft)

I was thinking I would dig the ground, put the boards on the ground and top with rotted manure and maybe some "soil improver" from the council. They will only be raised by about 2-3" but as I say it's the look I want really rather than the depth of raised beds. I figured it will be easier to put in paths this way and keep digging to a minimum.

Thoughts please?

[zazen999]

That's fine - it's your plot so do what you want!

[veggiechicken]

So you want to edge your beds?

[Likac66]

Yes, I guess that's a better description, just edge them. It's just the moment I say that, everyone says, "Oh raised beds"... I just want them to look nice!

[veggiechicken]

They will, Likac. I've been told several times - look after the edges and the middle will always looks good. Once in relation to edging a veggie bed and the other with hoovering the carpet up to the skirting. Needless to say, I do neither

[Bigmallly]

Yes, I guess that's a better description, just edge them. It's just the moment I say that, everyone says, "Oh raised beds"... I just want them to look nice!

Do you not like raised beds?................because that's what you are doing by adding more organic matter.

[Alison]

I have edged beds. Much easier to keep the edges tidy as there is an obvious line which marks the edge of the path. Over the years the level in the bed has increased very slightly due to addition of compost but I'd not want the hassle of filling proper raised beds and thankfully am fine to bend

[roitelet]

Just to mention that I edged my beds with 8inch planks and after several years with the addition of compost etc the soil has nearly reached the top. Do you think that 4inches is enough?

[Two_Sheds]

I ... want to use boards to border the beds.

Just be aware that slugs and snails WILL come and snuggle between the soil and the boards. Loads of them.


Knowing where they are is actually a good thing: you can then go round with a bucket of salty water and pick them all off

[BertieFox]

I think the main idea of 'raised' beds was so that the soil would be better draining as well as increasing the depth available for growing, especially for root crops. This always produced something of a hollow laugh in me after several summers of total drought and bone dry weather, when the last thing I wanted was 'free draining'. As others have said, the boarding and design of beds is far more about keeping everything tidy and in place, and allowing paths to be mown or covered between the beds. Perhaps because of our relatively drier climate slugs and snails have not been so much of a problem, though they DO congregate in the beds on the inner side of the boards. In many ways this makes them easier to remove than when they are lurking under surrounding plants, or other large flat objects lying around the beds.

[hawthorns]

my 4" raised beds



this whole left side will be done by the end of feb

[mothhawk]

They will, Likac. I've been told several times - look after the edges and the middle will always looks good. Once in relation to edging a veggie bed and the other with hoovering the carpet up to the skirting. Needless to say, I do neither

That's also the first rule of building a muck heap. Build the walls and keep them straight and firm, and the middle always fills itself - and it's true.

[BarleySugar]

I'm thinking of liberating some old bricks from my brother's pile of 'hardcore' to edge my allotment beds with. He had the whole front wall of his bungalow replaced, and has the old wall piled up in his front garden. I like the idea of having part of our old family home, and think bricks stacked around the existing beds would give a neat edge. I can also use them to anchor netting or fleece. There won't be any mortar between them so them so are not counted as a permanent fixture, but they won't rot like some people's seem to be doing at our site. I've already started lasagne beds so they are a bit raised and the brick will help keep the layers tidy.

[Likac66]

Thanks everyone. I will go ahead with my plan. Hoping to put the first couple of beds in in the next few weeks.

[Feral007]

I just used the bases of two beds.