Does anyone have any tips for a cheap DIY raised bed.I would like to give
this technique a try but at 30 or 40 quid a throw it's a lot to spend if you
don't succeed.Many thanks

On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 20:49:00 GMT, "jim"
wrote:

Does anyone have any tips for a cheap DIY raised bed.I would like to give
this technique a try but at 30 or 40 quid a throw it's a lot to spend if you
don't succeed.Many thanks

Depends on whether you really mean 'raised' or 'deep'.

My raised beds ended up slightly sunken - due to the enormous amount
of flint I had to remove from the subsoil...but they seem to function
very well indeed.

The key to it all is in the enhanced depth of topsoil, and the
corresponding water retention or drainage ( depending on your soil
type ).

Proper raised beds may warm up quicker in spring - but equally may
loose heat faster in autumn...a factor that can easily be manipulated
with basic cloches.

You can get some of the benefits of both by making a domed bed - thus
doing away with the need for expensive edging.

Regards,



--
Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations
http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk
Emails to: showard{who is at}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk

"jim" wrote in message
...
Does anyone have any tips for a cheap DIY raised bed.I would like to give
this technique a try but at 30 or 40 quid a throw it's a lot to spend if you
don't succeed.Many thanks


Q: pretty or functional?
Q: how high?
Q: what do you want to grow in them?

Jenny

PS There are some links that might be of use on my website:
http://members.rott.chello.nl/ldejag...dex.plants.htm

"jim" wrote in message
...
Does anyone have any tips for a cheap DIY raised bed.I would like to give
this technique a try but at 30 or 40 quid a throw it's a lot to spend if
you
don't succeed.Many thanks


Go hunting for pallets, as used underneath piles of bricks delivered to
building sites. These are often just "bonfired" so ask, and you will
probably receive!

Paul DS