Raised beds

Raised vegie beds add structure and good looks to your edible garden, and many can be bought ready to go, or as flat packs in sheets that you assemble with few or no tools. KIRSTEN COLVIN provides a round-up of some of the options available

It’s easy enough to stick a spade in the ground and dig a traditional vegie patch, or round up some containers for a potted patch. But if you’re after a bit more structure for your edible garden, raised beds are the way to go, and there’s a vast array to choose from, including set-ups for patios, and modular beds that can be arranged in parterres. Some come with extras, too, such as covers to protect your crops from frost or pests, irrigation or wicking systems, and even wheels to move them around. There’s a garden bed here to suit most garden spaces and various delicious crops.

QUICK SET-UP

Want instant garden beds that you can plant up this afternoon? Try these flat pack options that slot together or fold out, or beds that arrive ready-made.

Holman Modular Raised Garden Beds

These garden beds have panels that slot into the corner posts, no tools required. It’s a modular system, so you can buy more components to make the garden bed wider or taller. Kits are 15cm and 30cm high, and stackable so you can make beds deeper if you choose. A watering kit (weeping hoses, poly pipe and hose connector) is included. The beds, which are made from a wood composite that’s rot and termite resistant, can be positioned on pavers or grass. They can also be dismantled and taken with you if you move house. holmanindustries.com.au

FormBoss Tiered Planters

Available in the ‘weathered steel’ look popular with garden designers, these tiered planters sit directly on the ground and come in a choice of two heights: 58cm (pictured) or 39cm. There’s the option to scale up this idea using additional pre-made steel circles (starting from 77.7cm diameter) in the same finish, grouping them together as a garden feature. If you like this look, you could also purchase matching panels (available in eight different heights) to use as garden edging. formboss.com.au

Birdies Heritage Modular Elevated Planter

The smaller of the two waist-high elevated planters in the Heritage range, this one is a good size (80cm x 40cm x 85cm) for a balcony or small courtyard. It’s made from Australian-grown white cypress, which is naturally termite resistant. It can be quickly constructed without tools – the panels, which stack on top of one another, have dovetail joints that slide into the corner posts. The bed comes with a geotextile liner to keep the soil in, but let water drain out, so consider the floor surface below. birdiesgardenproducts.com.au

My First Garden Raised Garden Bed

Designed for children, this small raised garden bed (55cm x 35cm x 41cm) has safety edges and post caps. Made from high-tensile steel and food-grade PVC joiners, it can be assembled without tools. It comes in bright blue or red, and you can buy matching magnetic letter kits to customise it for your little gardener. It requires four 25kg bags of soil to fill it. bunnings.com.au

The Climbing Fig Instant Garden Beds

Made from breathable, UV-stabilised geotextile fabric, these garden beds come flat in the post. Once unfolded, just fill them (the supplier suggests a blend of premium potting mix and coir) and plant them up. They come in a number of sizes, with the largest measuring 1m wide by 30cm high, and if you move house you can take them with you. theclimbingfig.com.au