If you are going to invest in raised vegetable beds for the purposes of growing your own kitchen garden or more, then there is only one real way to do it. Enquires, getting some built suited to your space outside or changes in design and style…. my contact details are below.
Build requirements:
- Well built. Structurally sound, strong and solid.
- Built to last for the future, well able for the Irish weather
- Fit their intended use aesthetically
Main ingredients:
- 10cm x 22cm x 240cm new timber sleepers [10 x 8.5 inch timber]
- 6.3 x 200 mm [8″ long] corrosion resistant In-Dex screws
- butyl rubber lining
Of note:
- The screws are expensive but – they are the modern version of a coach bolt and are seriously strong. So strong that a standard drill would not do the job of churning them in. Then again, they are 8″ long. Also they use an 8mm hex driver bit. Again, for the long term quality will matter.
Know in Advance:
- Timber can vary in length by up to/ about 10mm. When one is 230cm and the next 245cm – as precision goes, it matters and is is extremely important, for me. Measure twice – cut once.
- Wood can twist and bend, slightly. This is not unusual – it’s just what wood is and what it does. It may need some working.
- Spirit level is one thing – aesthic levels are far more important. This is not a swimming pool.
Alternates:
One could reduce on timber quality and timber dimensions, but each of these beds will have 2- 4 tonne of wet soil forcing against it’s sides. Strong, durable and tough matters here and hence why the screws/ bolts are the quality that they are.
The lining could be done cheaper. However, butyl rubber is generally noted for lining ponds and again that amount of wet soil lying constantly against timber sides…. you simply won’t find a stronger longer lasting liner than this.
Quality counts:
The ground here had three different levels from three different sides. A spirit level is of benefit but so is a good eye for appearance. A mattock will dig perfect trenches.
The timbers are [the tallest] three high on their side – 66cm – the largest area of which is 240cm x 180cm. I didn’t want them to look like [silly as it may sound] big boxes. The alternated end corners help for that reason.
Above all the right tools for the right job and life will be made much easier less complex. The tools I use are not that that will put together an ikea type book shelf.
After Construction:
This is a place as versus being thought of as labour intensive, I would like to be renowned and considered for being one of retreat, relaxation and escapism.
Next for this garden space, from the same timber I’m going to build a garden bench. If I could, I put a matching espresso machine in there too – hand-made, from wood of course. Select planting to the peripherals will also help make this more of a home. But, Rome was, in this case, very well built in a matter of days – phase 2, the growing, begins soon after the soil is hand balled in. 😉
Enquiries or further information on your made to measure grow your own raised beds ?
Ask for Peter
- email – info@DoneganLandscaping.com
- mobile: 0876594688
- Facebook.com/DoneganLandscaping
