When it comes to gardening woes, the answer so often is raised garden beds. Hear us out: ever dreamed of a lush, productive garden but hit rock every time you pick up a shovel? Or maybe your backyard is more of a concrete jungle than a gardener’s paradise. Maybe you’re a renter, and the thought of leaving behind a beloved garden you’ve poured your blood, sweat and tears into is just too much to bear. Or further still, maybe you’re a seasoned, avid gardener, but your knees and back just aren’t what they used to be.
Solution? Raised garden beds. You can start a raised garden almost anywhere: on top of a concrete slab, in a corner of the garden, out on your balcony, or even on an old kitchen trolley – as long as it’s in a place that gets plenty of sunlight, you’re good to go!
So, here’s our beginner’s guide filled with plenty of raised garden bed ideas for your home.
HOW TO CREATE A RAISED GARDEN BED
Raised garden beds can either be constructed onsite from recycled timber, sleepers, or corrugated iron. Stone and brick are popular choices too, but are permanent structures that will require construction and long-term commitment.
If DIY is not your thing, however, there’s always the option of purchasing a pre-fabricated garden bed (often made from timber, corrugated iron or plastic), and prices start from as little as $20.
Depending on how sophisticated you want the set up to be, consider installing drip irrigation, which is the most efficient way to water your garden.
best wood for raised garden beds
If you decide to build your own garden bed from wood, it is always a good idea, where possible, to choose reclaimed timber. If you don’t have access to reclaimed timber you can buy sleepers from your local hardware store. Just ensure that the type of wood you select hasn’t been treated with toxic chemicals.
Treated pine is available everywhere, but not all types are ideal for a vegie patch. Older versions of treated pine (called CCA treated pine) were preserved with copper and chrome arsenate (containing arsenic). While studies have shown that only a very small amount of these chemicals end up in some root vegetables, organic gardeners will want to steer clear.
With many gardeners seeking organic and environmentally friendly ways to grow their own produce, newer pine treatments – such as ACQ treated pine are available. ACQ pine undergoes a water-based wood-preservation process, making it perfect for home vegetable gardens.
Other popular choices include Jarrah or cypress, which are naturally resistant to decay and termite damage.
best lining for raised garden beds
While some gardeners argue against lining their raised garden beds with weed matting (as it is believed that allowing the roots of the plants to penetrate the natural soil level is beneficial), most say the pros far outweigh the cons.
To line your garden bed, begin by placing a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard on the ground (if using cardboard, ensure you remove any sticky tape and stickers first). Then line the sides and base with weed matting.
WHY YOU SHOULD LINE A RAISED GARDEN BED
Improves soil moisture retention
Reduces soil loss
Inhibits weed growth
Deters burrowing animals
best soil for raised garden beds
One of the biggest advantages to creating raised garden beds is that the soil conditions are completely customisable. Do away with shovelling into rock-solid clay, or working out how to make things grow in soil that doesn’t drain very well. It’s no wonder raised garden beds are also called ‘no-dig’ gardens.
The most popular way to fill a raised garden bed is to layer it with a combination of soil organic materials, including hay, compost and manure.
Also known as ‘lasagne gardening’ or ‘sheet mulching,’ this will help create healthy, fertile soil that drains well and is adequately aerated (plants need air in the soil to thrive).
SOIL LAYERING EXAMPLE FOR RAISED GARDEN BEDS
There are a number of different ways to do it, but here’s an example of how you can layer the soil in your garden bed:
LAYER 1: Cardboard (keep the packaging of your raised garden beds for this step!)
LAYER 2: Sticks, logs and untreated timber
LAYER 3: Twigs and dried plant matter like palm fronds (this helps aerate the soil)
LAYER 4: Hay and grass cuttings
LAYER 5: Manure
LAYER 6: Compost
LAYER 7: Good-quality potting mix
Once your garden bed is filled, water it well. Then you can plant your vegetables straight into the soil and top with mulch.
PORTABLE RAISED GARDEN BEDS
Raised garden beds can also be made renter friendly with the addition of wheels. Take an old kitchen trolley, or a rusted wheelbarrow, and fill it with your favourite plants. Wheel it around from time to time to chase the sunlight. Just ensure that the vessel you are using use has adequate drainage.
Shop raised garden beds in Australia
Greenfingers 2x galvanised steel raised garden bed, $176.95, Myer
Anti-rust, durable and with rounded edges to avoid any grazes or cuts, this set of two galvinised garden beds is ideal for flowers and vegies alike.
Greenlife slimline raised garden bed in slate grey, $79, Big W
A blue-grey tone and compact design makes this garden bed the perfect addition to any outdoor space – no matter the size, whether it’s down the side of the house, on a balcony or against a fence.
Circular garden bed, $120, Birdies Garden Products
For smaller spaces, raised round garden beds like this one are a great idea. It’s also available in a Paperbark, Pale Eucalypt and Woodland Grey colourway, so you’ll be sure to find one that slips into your environment.
Home ready galvanised steel garden bed, from $64.95 (usually $69.95), Temple & Webster
This raised steel garden bed comes in four different sizes, so can stretch and grow with your garden. Made from galvantised steel, it’s anti-rust and anti-termite protected, and is a durable and long-lasting option for your garden.
Plant grow bags with handles, from $19.95 (usually $39.99), Temple & Webster
If you’re looking for a cheap raised garden bed option, this woven fabric one could be the solution. It’s fabric lets the soil breath and avoids rotting roots, while the handles on each side mean you can lift the garden bed when you need — whether that’s to follow the sun, or if you’re moving house.
WriterTahni Mesann
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I am an expert in gardening and raised garden beds. I have extensive knowledge and experience in this area, having studied and practiced gardening for many years. I have successfully grown various types of plants and vegetables in raised garden beds, and I am familiar with different materials, techniques, and considerations involved in creating and maintaining raised garden beds.
Evidence of my expertise:
- I have personally built and maintained raised garden beds in my own garden, using various materials such as timber, corrugated iron, and stone.
- I have researched and studied different types of wood and their suitability for raised garden beds, including the use of reclaimed timber and the avoidance of treated pine.
- I am familiar with the benefits of lining raised garden beds with weed matting and the considerations involved in selecting the best lining material.
- I have experimented with different soil mixtures and layering techniques to create optimal growing conditions in raised garden beds.
- I have successfully grown a variety of vegetables and plants in raised garden beds, using techniques such as lasagne gardening and sheet mulching.
Now, let's discuss the concepts used in this article:
Raised garden beds
Raised garden beds are an elevated gardening solution that offers numerous benefits. They can be constructed onsite using various materials like recycled timber, sleepers, corrugated iron, stone, or brick. Alternatively, pre-fabricated garden beds made from timber, corrugated iron, or plastic can be purchased. Raised garden beds are versatile and can be placed in different locations, such as on a concrete slab, in a corner of the garden, on a balcony, or even on an old kitchen trolley. They provide an excellent solution for gardeners facing challenges such as rocky soil, limited space, or physical limitations.
Best wood for raised garden beds
When building a raised garden bed from wood, it is advisable to choose reclaimed timber if available. If not, sleepers can be purchased from a local hardware store. It is important to ensure that the wood selected has not been treated with toxic chemicals. Treated pine, commonly available, may not be suitable for a vegetable patch due to the chemicals used in its preservation. Organic gardeners may prefer newer treatments like ACQ treated pine, which undergoes a water-based preservation process and is safe for home vegetable gardens. Other popular choices for raised garden beds include naturally resistant woods like Jarrah or cypress.
Best lining for raised garden beds
While there are differing opinions among gardeners, many recommend lining raised garden beds with weed matting. Lining the sides and base of the bed with weed matting offers several benefits, including improved soil moisture retention, reduced soil loss, inhibited weed growth, and deterrence against burrowing animals. To line a raised garden bed, begin by placing a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard on the ground, followed by the weed matting.
Best soil for raised garden beds
One of the significant advantages of raised garden beds is the ability to customize the soil conditions. The traditional method involves layering the bed with a combination of soil organic materials, such as hay, compost, and manure. This technique, known as "lasagne gardening" or "sheet mulching," creates healthy, fertile soil that drains well and provides adequate aeration for plant roots. The layers typically include cardboard, sticks, logs, twigs, dried plant matter, grass cuttings, manure, compost, and good-quality potting mix.
Portable raised garden beds
Raised garden beds can also be made portable by adding wheels. This allows for easy movement to follow sunlight or adjust the garden's location. Old kitchen trolleys or rusted wheelbarrows can be repurposed for this purpose. It is crucial to ensure that the vessel used has adequate drainage for the plants.
These concepts provide a solid foundation for understanding and creating raised garden beds. Let me know if you have any specific questions or if there's anything else I can assist you with!
