Building a raised bed

Steve and Val Bradley provide tips on making a raised bed

- Steve and Val Bradley

GROWING plants on a bed system has always been popular, but the use of raised beds continues to expand for a variety of reasons. Where a garden has no soil, a raised bed is an alternative to growing in containers. In effect, you have one large, deep container instead of lots of small ones, allowing more scope for crops like carrots or salad leaves. In gardens where the soil is difficult to manage, such as wet sticky clay, dry shade or in an area prone to long periods of wet conditions, a raised bed can help overcome the difficulties by providing a better growing environment.

Perhaps the most adaptable use is for gardeners with restricted mobility, where the bed can be raised to a convenient height for anyone who has trouble kneeling or bending, or who uses a wheelchair. The beds can even be filled with water instead of soil by installing a sturdy pond liner, and using bricks in the base to allow planting at different levels.

Brick, metal, plastic or wood The height of the bed can vary from 6-36in (15-90cm), with the most common choice being about 18in (45cm), which is knee height, and it can be made of brick, metal, plastic or wood. Many ready-to assemble kits are made from wood, but you can also use railway sleepers or boards. Kits are ideal for most gardens and can be completed in a weekend.