New raised bed in my garden

[mark smyth]

In fours hours today a new raised bed appeared in my back garden. It is a quadrant that is 10m x 25cm. I have enough walling to make another level bringing the height to 33cm. Does anyone think it's too shallow?

I got some quotes from local bricklayers and their quotes were the same, and more, than buying Secura Walling. The cheapest guy was £250. For £50 more I was able to buy enough walling blocks to make the new bed and edge the one I made in summer 2010.

The new bed will hopefully hold all my bulbs that are in pots. It may not happen but I want to resist planting perennials.

oops, just took a photo from an upstairs window and see one wall that is supposed to be straight isn't

[mark smyth]

The next stage is to buy a ton / 900kg, maybe two, of soil which will be mixed with the contents of pots where bulbs have died.

After that the coping needs to go on to hide the edges of the walling.

[Maggi Young]

If you can raise it to 33cm , then I think that's a good move.  25cm is a bit too shallow, I reckon. It will look good, though, as a dry bed. 

[David Nicholson]

Looks good Mark but I agree with Maggi 33cm high would be better. Is it an optical illusion or does the wall on the left hand site slope down to the left, and if it does might it not collapse in time once you've filled it?

I like the stone very much and am looking for something similar to replace rotting log roll edging round some of my beds.

[mark smyth]

If you can raise it to 33cm , then I think that's a good move.  25cm is a bit too shallow, I reckon. It will look good, though, as a dry bed. 

I'll do it on Monday when I'm off again

The new raised bed from last year looks better with walling blocks instead of being faced with concrete blocks. This bed is for my Colchicums nd Dactylorhizas

[mark smyth]

David you are correct. The ground isnt level but not as bad as the photo shows

[Maggi Young]

Funny how these coincidences happen..... this week's Wisley Log shows the very smart new edges made there  by Peter Herman using the stone that was gained by the dismantling of the raised beds to make the new crevice beds that ZZ designed...... Wisley had some  log-edged beds that needed refurbishemnt too....  see the result....

http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2011Oct271319709952Log_11_of_2011.pdf

      

[David Nicholson]

Mark, what are you using for coping?

Had a look at Paul's latest Wisley Log and that wallig is first class. Oh for the skill to lay it and the stone to lay

[Lesley Cox]

Well done Mark. You'll show it again as it becomes populated of course.

I'm really sorry to see how badly damaged your hands must have been for them to have fallen off altogether. I hope you are able to get emergency surgery and be back able to do manual work again very soon.

[Maggi Young]

I'm really sorry to see how badly damaged your hands must have been for them to have fallen off altogether. I hope you are able to get emergency surgery and be back able to do manual work again very soon.

Very thoughtful of you Lesley.... I hope no-one was too distressed by the graphic nature of the photo ?
 I think that by the cuff-like skin flaps, it may be possible just to superglue his hands on again.....
I believe superglue is used extensively these days.....

[Lesley Cox]

Yes, I was going to remark that I was pleased his shirt cuffs may have offered some protection and that they hid what must be torn and mangled ends but I didn't want to distress other Forumists too much with overly graphic comments.

[mark smyth]

My hands are fine now, thanks for asking, but not my back especially after just driving 100 miles 150km return tonight to give a talk. A dull ache around the middle.

Of course I'll show it when finished. I have a Sorbus cashmeriana for the middle or off centre.

Best ever talk the people said tonight, Easy Alpines - how and where to grow them, and they want me back. What must the others be like 

[Lesley Cox]

I hope they gave you a decent fee Mark.

[Anthony Darby]

Mark, what are you using for coping?

Strong drink works for me!

[mark smyth]

Yes Lesley they did.

David I'm using Secura Lite coping