Designs for Raised Bed Gardens

Gardeners who have back problems, painful knees, limited range of motion or who are in wheelchairs should consider adding one or more raised bed garden designs to their landscape. If you have impaired vision, raised beds can help provide structure to the garden and help with orientation. For gardeners with developmental delays, raised beds can break a large garden into more manageable chunks.

Not only do raised beds help make gardening more accessible, but they can also help eliminate problems related to soil quality, drainage or pests.

Size and Shape

Raised bed garden designs are almost limitless. You can pick a height that makes it easier for you to garden, choose a shape that fits in with your landscape and construct your bed out of materials that enhance the style of your overall landscape.

If you will be gardening from a wheelchair, make the bed high enough that you do not have to lean or bend too much, but low enough that you will still be able to use tools at a comfortable angle – usually about 16 inches high. If you plan to use the wall of the bed as a bench, 18 to 24 inches usually works well. Raised bed gardens for children may be designed lower.

A raised bed can be nearly any shape. Choose one based on the layout of the garden and the space available. A formal, highly organized garden might call out for a circular or octagonal bed. A long, narrow lot may inspire a more casual rectangular bed. A triangular bed can be tucked into the corner of a small garden. If you are planning more than one raised bed, consider making them the same shape to unify the design elements.

A major consideration when planning a raised bed is size. You will not want to climb into the bed to care for it, so make sure that no part of the plot is more than two feet from an accessible edge. If the raised bed garden will be cared for by a child or by an adult with limited range of motion in the arms, the distance should be even smaller.

Building Materials

Raised bed garden designs can be built using a variety of landscaping materials. Brick, pavers, cobblestone and other masonry are durable, readily available and can fit in with formal or casual landscapes. Stacked logs, railroad ties or vertical timbers are often less expensive and blend nicely with more rustic designs.

If you plan to use the wall of your raised bed as a bench, be sure to take comfort into account and choose construction material that will produce a smooth surface.

Construction Tips

The building materials, size and shape you choose will help determine how your raised bed garden should be constructed, but remember that safety must come first. Walls should be secure. Loose stones or logs should be avoided.

To reduce the amount of weeds in your raised bed garden, line the bottom with two layers of landscaping fabric. If burrowing animals are a problem, add wire screen. A good soil blend will is important to help your plants thrive.

Build Once, Enjoy for Years

Installing an above ground garden may seem time consuming and expensive, but a well designed raised bed will provide years of more accessible gardening and overall enjoyment.

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