How to build a raised garden bed with seating?

[nvelaga]

Hello experts, 

I am total beginner and planning to step up my DIY journey.  

I am planning to setup a raised garden bed with seating options in couple of places. Along with it i am planning to install part of my back yard with decking ( deck with will be partly on concrete slab ). I have attached my plan and the sample raised bed i am considering. 

I am looking for suggestions on how should i plan the project , tools needed and procure materials ? I am finding lot of information over internet and its confusing. 

Thanks in advance

 

[EricL]

Hello @nvelaga 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about building a raised garden bed with seating.

That looks like a fantastic plan, can I please request for a larger picture so that we'll be able to read the text you've placed in. I also suggest looking at these guides - How to build a raised garden by @Adam_W. This has an example of a raised garden bed with a seat attached to the side of the bed. Another example is How to build raised garden bed with seating using timber sleepers? by @CathyEBS. By looking at these two examples, you should be able to get an idea of how you can build your raised garden bed with seats included.

Here is a link for ideas and inspiration: Top 10 most popular raised garden beds.

I propose looking at using 200 x 50mm Sleeper H4 Sienna MicroPro 2.4m. They are used in landscaping and retaining wall applications. They are termite resistant and are suitable for use in vegetable beds and Children’s play areas. In regards to your decking, I propose posting it as a separate project from your raised garden bed. 

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[nvelaga]

Thanks for taking time and going through my question @EricL 

I will go through your suggestions. Please find the updated plan

[EricL]

Hello @nvelaga 

Thank you for posting that bigger picture. If you can put in some measurements, we'll be able to give you an approximation of how many sleepers you'll need to use for your garden bed. I also suggest looking at seating arrangements and see how you would like to have your seats positioned. 

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[nvelaga]

Hey @EricL 

Here is the updated drawing with measurements. Please guide on how i need to plan material and process involved. Apologies for delay

[JacobZ]

Hi @nvelaga,

Thank you for the updated design.

Please give me some time to go through it and do some calculations and I will return to you with the details you've requested.

Jacob

[nvelaga]

Thanks @JacobZ,please let me know if anything is unclear.

[J-P]

While @JacobZ @comes back,  some tips based on my experience 

1. You need atleast 50 mm width for your bed.

2. The posts for the garden bed should be atleast for each 1M.

3. consider 600mm height.

4. Put rubber paint on the portion of the post going underground for longevity.

5. Use liner inside of the sleepers for same purpose

6. plan your irrigation line before building.

7. Plot a design to a detail of how many batten screws are required and at which location

8. You can plan the seating section to have some screen behind them.

9. A fire pit can go well along with the seaters

10. plan the plants as well based on how long sun is available during the day

[JacobZ]

Hi @nvelaga,

Alright, I've done some basic calculations on just the garden beds at this point. 

My suggestion is to use these 200 x 50mm Sleeper H4 Treated Pine Sienna MicroPro with your garden beds being 600mm and 300mm deep. You'll need to have a row at the back and a row at the front which leaves you with 200mm space for planting and a 300mm wide seat.

At 600mm high like @J-P has recommended, which I agree is a good height, you will need 3 layers of sleepers. Each layer requires approximately 60 lineal metres of sleepers, so going 3 layers high, you'll require approximately 180 lineal metres of sleepers. If you use 3-metre sleepers, you'll need 60, if you use 2.4m sleepers, you'll need 75.

Using longer sleepers will be more economical as it will reduce the number of posts and concrete required to anchor everything in place. I'd suggest using the 1.2m Ridgi sleeper posts to anchor and join your sleepers together. If you're using 3-metre sleepers, you'll need 18 x 1.2m Galvanised Steel H Joiner Posts and 6 x 1.2m Galvanised Steel Corner Posts.

For each post, you will need approximately 2 bags of concrete, meaning you'll need 48 bags. For simplicity's sake and so you have some extra in case, I'd suggest you work on the idea of using 50.

This will get you started. I'm happy to assist further if you have specific questions.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[nvelaga]

@J-P Thats a great insight. Thanks a lot for these details. 

How do we generally plan irrigation ? are you referring to something like this How to plan an irrigation system ?