something extra

Look out for trellises and supports for climbing crops, cloth protection against pests or frost, wheels for portability, and beds set up as wicking systems.

Add supports

Some crops demand a climbing frame (peas and snowpeas, for example), while others can be trained vertically to save space and squeeze maximum productivity from the garden (see page 58 for more on this). Take your pick from timber trellises and decorative metal frames, or make your own supports from natural materials. It’s easy to push them into deep garden beds, and some raised-bed manufacturers offer add-on canopies and trellises.

Add crop protection

In many parts of Australia, there are plenty of critters that are keen to sample your produce before you do. The simplest way to protect your patch is to set up a frame, and cover your plants with wire netting or fine (bird-safe) mesh. This frame can also be used to support frost-protection cloth in cold weather, or shadecloth when the temperatures soar. For more netting and exclusion options, see page 62.

Add a wicking system

Wicking beds water the plants from below. They’re containers with a water reservoir at the base. The water is ‘wicked up’ to moisten the growing medium above. Some raised beds can be bought as wicking beds (see overpage for more) or you can retrofit an existing bed.

Add wheels

If you want a raised bed that can chase the sun or be moved out of the way when you need the space, why not buy one with wheels? It means you’re restricted to the smaller, modular beds (once filled, the big ones are too heavy to be moved), but small movable beds are perfect for balcony or patio gardens.