How to Build Raised Beds that will LAST!

There are some things that you can do to help protect your outdoor timber from decay and increase the life of your raised beds.

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[c.a.g.]

I've heard that talking to plants could be beneficial, but not so sure telling them off will result in more strawberries... 😄
Nice project, Stuart!
Looking forward to see what you are coming up with to sift more efficiently!

[spatel]

nice work Stuart. I like how you always make things cost effective for the average DIY person. much appreciated

[stevekent]

You don’t have to completely fill a raised bed if you don’t have enough material. If you don’t fill to the top, the wooden sides provide extra protection against the weather for your seedlings/plants as they grow. Also, over a number of years you will be gradually adding more home made compost anyway. There isn’t a rule to say you can’t use a raised bed until it’s full of soil.

I have waist height raised beds, they are great for my back.

[martinmorgan]

I love the idea of using galvanised steel banding as a tension member.👍

[PaulIreland]

I don't know what's going on with you, Keith @ R'n'B B and Matt @ BadgerWorkshop, but this year my DIY project list is a catio, a new workshop and a raised bed and you've each dropped a video just as as I've started to plan out how I'm going to do one of them and each video has given me a solution to a problem. In this case how to stop the boards from bowing out, so thanks for that little tip!

[garulusglandarius]

I made my raised beds with 2”x8” timber, 3” square posts, bed sizes at 10’x2’x2’ and 14mm thread bar threaded through 15mm pvc pipe for protection from moisture to avoid mid bed warping/bowing five years ago and they’re still solid and rot free ( I maintain them with wood preservative annually ). Love your work and your channel Stuart ( I’ve watched every episode ) and gained a lot of very useful ideas/methods which have all worked beautifully. Thank you Stuart 👍

[philgornall]

Love the video. I’ve made raised beds before, not quite as sturdy as these, but you need to mix in some topsoil with the compost. I did the same as you and the compost breaks down quite quickly and your levels will drop. Also topsoil adds different nutrients for the plants, as well as not breaking down.

[davidgrover]

Built a raised bed for my daughter yesterday & used the steel band idea - great tip Thx! 👏👏👏👏👏👍

[phonotd]

A bit of overkill with the staples there Stuart. 😂

[fitzg]

Love when the civil engineer comes out, really interesting when you discuss forces and materials!

[stephenmcgeown]

Brilliant build Stuart! I loved the final zoom out shot as you harangued the strawberry. A lot of pressure on the little fella :-)

[anwolfs]

Now I know I made mine all wrong, thank you Stuart for showing me how the next raised beds are going to be made!

[AV_N_DWG]

The fact that I will apply some of the ideas in this video and will defenetly avoid others means it did the job. A nice, educational and overall good video... Again... Keep doing more.

[andrewlitchfield]

Hi Stuart, for raised beds in the past I used 200 x 100mm sleeper posts and reclaimed scaffold boards.... was fairly cheap and solid! Andy

[MalcolmCrabbe]

nice catch of the slow worm off to find a new home !

[olson.pamela]

"rubbish" is too cute a word for the crap that has been April weather in 2023 Minnesota. That said this raised bed is exactly what I need for my next bee lovers garden. Thank you Stuart!

[lafamillecarrington]

I like the idea of using the banding tape to hold the sides - even though I am one of those people who has used screwed-in ties to hold the sides in, which has worked okay for me over 3 or 4 years.
I recommend getting an electric stapler.

[rich]

Wrapping the side timbers in DPM - genius! I always learn something from watching your videos, Stuart. Thanks for all the work you put into them.

[emdotdee]

Looks great, any concerns about the leftover chemicals and rubbish that was there previously contaminating the whole thing?

[AdityaMehendale]

Quite therapeutic to talk to strawberry plants, yes.