Raised bed on patio area advise please

[York lady]

Hi everyone ,in the planing stage so advise needed please.
I am going to use a area for a raised bed.I have a concern about when I water well,the muddy water may come out over the patio too much.i wondered if I make it higher what could I put in the bottom to maybe soak up the excess water .I know there has to be drainage but I wondered if by making it higher perhaps the water won't get to the very bottom as much??What do you think or has anyone any good sound advise for me.
Also where do I look for advise on container vegetables growing as also that is in the planning stage.
You can tell I'm a newbie??
Rose

[Bill HH]

Welcome.

Its good that you are thinking ahead like that, but it is a problem, I think if you place lots of cadrboard and newspaper in the bottom of each bed (which is very good practice anyway) it will filter out most of the soil that might drain through. Also if you add lots of (home made compost for preference) and or multi purpose compost these don't dissolve like soil does. The other thing is to have so many raised beds and pots that you cant see the patio . But in the end you will have some run off, you can't seal the beds as you know they need to drain off the surplus. I have a large paved area with loads of containers and don't find it a problem.

[York lady]

Thank you,can you use almost any containers for veg?? I would have thought as long as there is plenty of room for roots an drainage it should be alright ?? Would clear plastic be a problem,,as I have 20ltr boxes that I have been given,will it be ok to use them??what soil do I use etc,any advise most grateful or is there somewhere on here to read.Its going to take time reading everything but it will be worth it.
Rose

[bearded bloke]

What is the patio surface made of ? If slab or paving bricks you could lift some inside the bed to add drainage.

[Bill HH]

I think clear plastic is not ideal, roots may get scorched but you could perhaps paint them black.
For pots and containers I would use multi purpose compost but remember the nutrients that come with it last only about 6 weeks and then you will need to feed with something like tomorite. I just use it straight out of the baq and don't add any drainage like broken pots or gravel. When you have finished with it you can use it again provided you refresh it with something like blood fish and bone meal. Or use it to top up your raised beds.
There are a lot of threads on here about filling raised beds, try searching for lasagne beds, this is basically layers starting with cardboard (not glossy stuff) newspapers (A layer unopened) old leaves and anything that retains water even straw. Home made compost etc, then a top layer of soil and Multi purpose compost. Try searching google for raised beds or you-tube. lots of info on there.

[York lady]

Thanks,should have said new patio area ,sealed so no chance of removing anything ,hubby is not to sure about any of this so,this is why I want to be able to think of all the problems,and then be. Able to sort them before I come across them,if that sounds right.
Rose

[lottie dolly]

Another option for you,how about,using the white plastic containers with a few holes in the sides aprox 2 in up from the bottom,this will give you a bit of a resevour,cover the outside with black plastic,then wood,this will give a nice look,or drill holes in the bottom and sit inside something like gravel trays anything that is big enough to sit your containers in so they got water,and help catch the drain though during rain,make a wood plinth/fence,to hide it all,you have a think of your own around this idea,and am sure you will come up with something to suit you both,best of luck,don't give up on a dream,

[arpoet]

Make sure that your intended containers are not intended for indoor use as the sunlight will cause them to disintegrate.

PS Welcome to the madhouse where the mods are only there for show... NO... Don't Whip meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Potstubsdustbins]

Have a think about what you would like to grow then we can suggest containers to suit. About the only material I wouldn't use is galvanised metal. Your clear storage boxes as already said will not be UV stable therefore they will disintegrate fairly rapidly unless protected from the sun.

[Nannysally99]

We use buckets £1 each from BQ and council recycling bags and boxes. Fantastic way of gardening

[teakdesk]

We use buckets £1 each from BQ and council recycling bags and boxes. Fantastic way of gardening

Me too!

Just remember to drill holes in the bottom. If they are not to stand on a flat, hard surface then drill holes in the side close to the bottom, this stops the drainage holes being blocked.