Building a raised bed

[pb1uk]

Hello all,

I hope this is the right place to ask this, (apologies if not!)

At home we have limited space so i've decided to make use of the patio we have by building some raised beds. I'm building a herb garden out of light weight breeze blocks. It is built driectly on the patio but i have removed the slab beneath for drainage. What i can't find out is how to find it? I mean is there i certain type of render, finish or paint i should use on the bricks?

The second type i'm building is woodern. Approx 2m long 0.5 wide and 0.5 high. This will be going again directly on the patio, but due to it's a size and not being permenant i don't want to remove the slabs beneath it. Would something of this size need drainage? I was considering putting it on little legs and putting holes beneath, but am worried this might cuase soily spills running down the patio!

Any help or advice on either of these would be good. Have got some books or garden DIY and have been on many a website, but can't seem to find out what i need.

Thanks,

pb1uk

[Bigmallly]

For your wooden bed, I would be tempted to put some protection i.e weed fabric or similar on the patio if it is not going to be permanent & regarding drainage, I would assume it will drain through the patio flooring unless it is 100% sealed with something. What happens when it rains?

P.S. I think this thread may be moved to vegging as it is not related to growing under cover (unless you are planning on putting a roof on........)

[pb1uk]

Thanks for the advice. I think the water gets away through thin gaps in the slabs and flows away (it's slightly sloped). I was thinking of putting some stones/rubble in the bottom topped with some newspaper, would this be of benefit?

Mods, feel free to move to a more appropriate board.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I have 2 raised beds direct onto concrete one of plastic the other wood. Neither are sealed to the concrete so excess water just runs away between the sides of the bed and the concrete floor. I do get some small amount of soil come from under the bed the more so when like yesterday I was jet washing everywhere.

My bed are only 9`-10` deep so to maximise depth of growing medium there is nothing in the bottom.

Colin

[Bigmallly]

The reason I mentioned protection was that the bed was not permanent therefore would stain the patio & would need power washing at least or a stiff brush.

[vejuzchill]

I was thinking of putting some stones/rubble in the bottom topped with some newspaper, would this be of benefit?

That's a step in the right direction. I built something similar years ago and drilled holes on the side, lined the bottom with felt and used play sand to filter the water coming out. No soil stains. I raised mine off the ground with little blocks of wood to help with drainage, also.