Raised bed on concrete

Pam285

Hello. I have an area of hard standing at the end of the garden That is a bit of an eye sore. I had to give my allotment up three years ago due to work commitments but really miss growing my own veg. I have four tanalised beds on order 4 X 3 ft X 14 inches.  I understand that I will need to put in gravel for drainage but should I put a layer of gravel under the raised beds themselves to help prevent rot. The garden is south facing. I currently have a mixture of pots presently but there just isn't enough room.  

Pam285

Hi Doghouse Riley. Thats a great idea. I've used pavers to edge one side of the lawn so it will give some continuity to the overall garden. Many thanks. 

Ladybird4

Don't raised beds come without a bottom?

Pam285

Yes they have no base.  I'd read a number of previous posts about the need for adequate drainage but the wooden sides would be vulnerable to standing water. 

Fairygirl

I think the ones mainly used for veg growing are just four sides L'Bird, but you can also get ones which are more like a trough/planter on legs, and they have a bottom with holes for drainage. There are also those big 'trug' ones which are good for people who have difficulty bending down - they're waist height or thereabouts. 

Ladybird4

I couldn't quite understand why Doghouse said to stand them on bricks and use a blower to clear out any debris that gathered underneath? The inference from that is that they are containers raised above the concrete - thats what confused me.

Fairygirl

L'Bird - I'm even more confused now I've read dente's post (I was posting at the same time)  

I can't see how putting gravel below a bottomless bed would help when it's sitting on concrete. The soil/compost would just wash through the gravel over time, and I think it would also move.  If it was me - I'd put a timber base on them, with decent holes drilled in them,  and use bricks or similar to raise them above the concrete.

I'd also line the base and sides with weed suppressing fabric or plastic to help prevent rotting. It will also prevent the soil running through the drainage holes. 

Last edited: 16 June 2016 20:03:54

Ladybird4

I am totally confused too Fairygirl, hence my asking the question

Fairygirl

Ladybird4

But Doghouse, Dente's raised beds are bottomless and therefore have nothing for bricks to hold up.

Pam285

Thank you for the advice and comments. Went for raised bed liners and raised the raised beds on pavers. this has also raised the height of the beds. So far it's taken one ton of top soil to fill two big beds. Another ton should do it. Planted up with cabbages and broccoli