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How to Build a Raised Garden Bed – Ellipse
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Overview
Natural Aesthetics with HEIGER Nature Beds
HEIGER Nature Beds are high-quality Australian raised garden beds. Our range of raised garden beds delivers extensive options for home and commercial gardeners. Unlike timber beds that can rot or metal beds that can rust over time, HEIGER Nature Beds are made from durable and long-lasting Coco Blocks.
They are resistant to decay, ensuring that your garden beds remain intact. With their organic texture, Coco Blocks look very aesthetically pleasing. They seamlessly blend with the planted greenery and develop a weathered appearance over time, without compromising the structure of the raised garden bed. This indispensable gardening miracle is a must-have for every garden. Manufactured in Australia and readily available throughout Australia and online, our raised garden beds provide an ideal environment for thriving floral and food gardens.
Unlike most commercial raised garden beds and DIY solutions, HEIGER Nature Beds are very easy to construct. Think of it as building a sandbox that requires minimal DIY skills. HEIGER Nature Beds are built with sustainability in mind and are much more beneficial than buying commercial raised garden beds with cringe-worthy prices. Building HEIGER Nature Beds is done using sustainable and eco-friendly Coco Blocks.
HEIGER Coco Blocks are very flexible. You can effortlessly shape and mold the Coco Blocks to fit the unique curves and angles of your garden. HEIGER Coco Blocks not only are durable borders to your raised garden beds but also promote optimal airflow through the soil, preventing waterlogging and facilitating root respiration. Additionally, the coco blocks serve as a natural sponge, gradually releasing nutrients to nourish your plants. They help retain moisture in the soil, reducing water usage and promoting healthy plant growth.
Tools & Materials
Materials:
- HEIGER Coco Blocks
- HEIGER Coir Substrate
- Nutrient Rich Soil
- Stakes
Tools
- Mallet
- Shovel/Trowel/Mattock
Steps
Step 1
Location
Picking the right spot for your garden bed can be tricky. You have to think about how much sunlight the bed will get at different times of the year. You don’t want it to become too hot in the summer, but you still need enough direct sunlight to help your plants grow.
Step 2
Surface Levelling
If you’re planning to install the garden bed on grassy or bare ground, it’s advisable to even out the surface beforehand. In case significant leveling is needed, you can simply create a shallow trench around the bed’s perimeter to achieve balance. A mattock or a trowel can be handy tools for this task.
Step 3
Weed matting
To promote effective water drainage and prevent weed growth, it’s a good idea to place a layer of weed matting beneath your garden bed. You can use materials like newspapers, hessian sacks, or weed matting from a nursery. For an eco-friendlier option, consider using HEIGER Weed Mats, which offer sustainable weed control for your garden.
Step 4
Pick a shape
Place the stakes in a way that defines the shape of the raised garden bed you desire.
In this instance, we have considered the HEIGER Nature Bed, which resembles an ellipse.
Step 5
Stake Placement
Drive 6 stakes into the soil using a mallet, approximately 1m apart from each other as shown below.
(Note: Ideally two-thirds of the stake should be below the ground and one-third above the ground.)
Drive the remaining 2 stakes at both corners. Each stake should ideally be placed at an even distance from the ones on the side, approximately 0.5m apart.
Step 6
Coco Block Placement
Place the first layer, consisting of two Coco Blocks alongside the stakes. It should ideally look like the image shown below.
Stack the remaining two layers of Coco Blocks on top of each other. Make sure the ends of the adjacent layers of Coco Blocks don’t meet and are spaced out.
Step 7
Bulk fill
Many plants thrive with a shallow layer of soil at the top of the garden bed, typically around 300mm deep. This means you can save on soil costs by utilizing a less expensive alternative to fill the lower portion of the bed. Some options include using old bricks, hay, or cardboard. Coconut husks are a very good organic alternative. However, it’s important to note that if you opt for an organic material, it will decompose over time and may settle slightly.
Step 8
Topsoil
Layer the bulk fill with nutrient-rich topsoil. You can further enhance the topsoil for optimum plant growth by mixing it with HEIGER coir substrates. HEIGER Coir substrate promotes plant growth through its excellent water retention, allowing for consistent moisture levels. Its fibrous structure provides good aeration and drainage, preventing issues like root rot. Additionally, coir’s nutrient retention and pH stability contribute to a favorable root environment, facilitating nutrient uptake and healthy plant growth.
Post Construction Tips
Planting Flowers & Vegetables
The planting approach varies based on the type of plants you are working with. Whether you choose to use seeds, seedlings, or mature plants will depend on your specific situation. It’s important to avoid planting during the hottest part of the day and ensure thorough watering to properly hydrate the plants. Raised Garden beds need a little extra water around the edges on hot days in Australia.
Replacing HEIGER Coco Blocks
HEIGER Coco Blocks are made entirely from coconut coir, ensuring durability and a natural look. They blend well with the plants in your garden. The Coco Blocks gracefully weather over time, adding character to the raised garden bed while steadfastly upholding its structure.
If you want to update the appearance of your garden bed, you can easily replace the older Coco Blocks with new ones, avoiding the need to completely revamp the raised garden bed over the years.
Enjoy Your HEIGER Nature Bed!
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