Raised Flowerbed - does this look OK?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by jsb1987, Jun 18, 2014.

  1. jsb1987

    jsb1987 Apprentice Gardener

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    This has just been built and it's not quite what I expected..

    Should it be attached to the fence?

    Should there be gaps between the bits of wood? (And theres gaps going under the fence, to the neighbours garden - surely the soil will pour into their garden?)

    They've filled it with bits of paving slabs to provide drainage - is this what you're meant to do?

    Any advice would be much appreciated! thank you!

    [​IMG][​IMG]
     
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    • Spruce

      Spruce Glad to be back .....

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      Hi Welcome to the forum .

      Is the raised bed yours or next door 's ?
       
    • jsb1987

      jsb1987 Apprentice Gardener

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      Hi, thank you. It's mine..
       
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      • jsb1987

        jsb1987 Apprentice Gardener

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        here's another photo. The area around it is all being paved with black limestone[​IMG]
         
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        • Spruce

          Spruce Glad to be back .....

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          If me I would leave a gap at the back so you can treat the fence when required with a preservative to stop it rotting or if you need to change a panel we all have occasionaly coming out with winter gales etc , depending what you are growing you may find useful to line the bottom of the bed with a fabric gardening liner but as I have already said that depends what you are growing as some shrubs climbers like to get the roots down deep .

          Depending on drainage I wouldn't over fill with paving slab pieces but its a good way to get rid of them.

          What are you thinking of growing which may help answer your question
           
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          • jsb1987

            jsb1987 Apprentice Gardener

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            To be honest I haven't even thought about it yet! It will get a fair amount of sun, until mid afternoon.. I'm open to any kind of plants really..

            So do you think it isn't a total disaster? Do you think the general construction of it looks reasonable? (Apart from it being attached to the fence). I'm really concerned about the soil just falling into the neighbours garden, through the gap under the fence. I asked my gardener and he said that the soil would be very compacted, so that wouldn't happen.. :s I'll ask him about putting a liner in.

            thanks!
             
          • "M"

            "M" Total Gardener

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            Who built it?

            If you have paid someone to build it and you are not happy with it, maybe give them a call and let them know that?
             
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            • Spruce

              Spruce Glad to be back .....

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              yes looks fine , but I would seriously take into account about it being attached to the fence even if was just a tad away would be so much better
               
            • jsb1987

              jsb1987 Apprentice Gardener

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              I think it's too late now! :(
               
            • longk

              longk Total Gardener

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              At my old house I built some and just lined them with carpet offcuts (make sure that they're not water repellent).
              Get some water retaining granules and add them to the soil mix - it will dry out quickly otherwise.
               
            • Sirius

              Sirius Total Gardener

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              What sort of soil are you going to fill it with?
              Agree with above, don't overdo the rubble at the base.

              Here is part of my garden
              There is a an inch gap or so at the back to give access to the fence if I need it.
              I didn't put anothing on the bottom. Just dug over the soil it was going on to. And then added the top soil.

              photo.JPG
               
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              • Spruce

                Spruce Glad to be back .....

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                I dont , you will regret it if you have to change the panels , no soil in at the moment no plants , easily sorted my favorite saying at the moment "pay cheap pay twice " which will be a shame with all the hard work that has gone into it plus if the panels not yours next door wont be happy !!

                Spruce
                 
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                • Sirius

                  Sirius Total Gardener

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                  Yup, it hasn't been filled in yet.
                  Sure not too difficult to move it a bit.
                   
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                  • Sirius

                    Sirius Total Gardener

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                    Another few photos of my raised beds.
                    I should start my own thread.....:)

                    My garden was done in 3 stages over a few years.
                    The photo above is stage 1

                    These are to complete the project, a few months ago - stage 3

                    photo.JPG

                    photo1.JPG
                     
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