Raising a kidney-shaped bed?

17 years ago

Hopefully you can help although I'm not necessarily planning on doing the square foot gardening thing (but do plan to plant some veggies)...but more looking for advice on raising up a planting bed. The planting bed is in a great location for sun, but is in front of some electrical boxes so digging in the area is with caution. The previous owners put it in with the hopes of planting things to block the large boxes at the back of the yard. Right now, nothing is growing in it, except weeds. I'd like to raise the bed 1) because I think it'll look good, and 2) because of the whole digging thing.

Since it is kidney shaped, has anyone identified any flexible material that would work to do a raised bed? I'd be filling it with a Mel's mix (or something close to it), and planting a mix of shrubs, flowers and vegetables. Any ideas?

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Comments (3)

greenbean08_gw
17 years ago
We have a curved retaining wall made from a landscaping block about 4" tall with 3 straight edges, the 2 side edges are angled out and the face is curved.

I don't know if that helped, sorry, it's not the best description. Maybe these will help:
From Tales of a Transplanted Gardener
From Tales of a Transplanted Gardener

You can sort of see the shape of the blocks if you look just under the hanging hose.

I don't know how much $$ they are though, they were here when we moved in.

Be sure you do not block access to the boxes or (I'm pretty sure) the power company can come remove your plants. I know they just cut a bunch of my neighbor's lilacs that were blocking an electrical box.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tales of a Transplanted Gardener
jj_upstateny
17 years ago
They are a bit pricey, but Gardener's Supply (good website, even if you don't buy) does have some curved options...
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mmqchdygg
17 years ago
FWIW, I have one, but it has no structure surrounding it. It started out as a triangle as I was digging, but then I got carried away, and it ended up kidney-shaped. My whole veggie patch is done this way with no sides, and it's working fine. But I understand why you'd want to surround it.

I've seen several types of materials used around the web- two notable ones being the recycled tire beds (not using a whole round tire as-is, but cutting it up to make a flexible band), and the other plastic mesh stuff.

Here's my kidney with strawberries growing in: