Make them or buy them beds?

well you have 2 choices here.

Option 1 browse Google and search for raised beds There are lots of companies that will sell you a 'kit' or a fully made bed (not that i can find one as i write this)

here's a few sites I found
Harrod Horticultural
Marmax (these chaps use recycled material)

Pro's
less handy work to do i.e. Sawing timbers
they will ensure you've got all the bits

Con's
Waiting time (lead time seems to be a few weeks)
less feeling of satisfaction (compared to doing it all your self)
not as customisable
cost

Option 2 make them your self! i will provide a guide based on what I did which you could choose to follow, if you like

You'll need the following tools to do this

a Tape measure (about a quid?)
a wood Saw (a cheapo 7 quid one has done me for many a project, yea you could use this to try and justify a bench saw if you were so inclined)
a pencil (or pen)
an electric screwdriver (if you don't have one of these, then you'll need arms like Popeye)
a right angle (so you can draw straight lines at right angels to you measures)

here's a photo of my tools , as you can see an old load of crap is fine. However, the electric screwdriver should be powerful enough to drive a 3 1/2 inch decking screw , go on you wanted to buy a good one anyway....
Pro's
cost (as long as you have the screwdriver)
time (delivery of wood is usually quiet fast)
sense of achievement (me, man, made box)
mess around with wood and tools and therefore feel like a real man!
you can make it fit your garden

con's
you might get a splinter
many a trip to B&Q (other shops are available)


the next post will go into the detail of what i made and how, even i can do it!

Thinking About Raised beds in the garden

Over the past 2 years we have been dabbling with growing our own (vegetables). We've enjoyed it Immensely. Growing Courgettes, tomatoes and a host of other veggies and herbs. It all seemed a little haphazard difficult to navigate and at times a bit of an eye sore. (left is a picture of it from the deck, or at least where the deck now is during the 2006 season)

So we decided to make some raised beds

Our plot is 2.4m deep and 5-6m long, a fence runs along one side and at one end is the house and the other the deck, its open to the garden along the other side.

Raised beds are good for a number of reasons;
1. they define the plot better and look nice
2. may be harder for the cats to crap on them
3. once they are dug you should never walk on them, which should mean they don't need digging again
4. crop rotation should be easier - to do crop rotation well you will need 4-5 beds

testing 123

trying to build a web page, not that your interested. I mean, why would you be?