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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

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  1. Home
  2. Garden

How to install a raised herb garden bed

A practical and good-looking solution for growing herbs. - by Graham Ross
  • 04 Sep 2020

A few herbs growing inside a makeshift brick bed doesn’t do justice to the joy and flavour they add to your home cooking.

Save your back, care for your knees and add elevation to your garden by putting your herb and vegetable garden in a raised bed.

Then plucking condiments fresh from your garden for lunch or dinner will be so much easier and more enjoyable.

WATCH: Graham shows Rose how to install a raised herb garden

Gather your supplies

  • Ready-made raised garden bed in size to suit your garden and needs
  • Gravel
  • Scoria or clay pebbles
  • Geotextile fabric
  • Quality vegetable potting mix
  • Wide and rigid wire mesh
  • Wire mesh ties
  • Assortment of seedlings
  • Lucerne or pea straw mulch

You’ll also need

Heavy duty leather gloves; shovel; bucket; metal rake; kitchen or garden scissors; pliers; trowel.

Before herb garden bed

Before: a straggly make-shift brick bed

For you to know

You don’t need to fill all of your raised garden bed with potting mix. This can be expensive. You only need about 30cm of a growing medium for successful vegetable gardening. Layer gravel on the bottom suppresses grass, and scoria or clay pebbles add height. Then top with growing medium. 

Here's how

Step 1

Remove bricks

Remove bricks from border of existing bed. 

Step 2

Dig out herbs

Dig out herbs and roots, and put those your wish to keep in a bucket of water. 

Step 3

Remove turf

Remove turf, if needed, to increase area for the raised garden bed. Position ready-made bed on the ground. 

Step 4

Fill base of raised bed with gravel

Fill base of raised bed with a shallow layer of free-draining gravel, then top with clay pebbles or scoria to 40-45cm from top.

Step 5

Cover with geotextile fabric

Cover with geotextile fabric cut to fit to help prevent growing medium falling through.

Step 6

Fill with quality vegetable-growing medium to 10-15cm from top.

Step 7

Place wire mesh on bed

Place wire mesh at the rear of the bed.

Step 8

Join mesh pieces

Join mesh pieces with mire mesh ties. 

Step 9

Plant herbs

Plant seedlings, leaving enough space for their mature size. Water in.

Step 10

Spread mulch

Spread mulch over garden beds to help prevent weeds and water evaporation. 

Growing tip

Raised herb garden bed

Garden soil isn't suitable for cultivating vegies. A raised bed lets you use a growing medium full of nutrients and has good drainage. 

Garden bed shopping tip

Raised herb garden bed

The final look! Plant climbers at the base of the mesh to start training them

Raised garden beds are a terrific alternative to the in-ground variety, as they can help reduce back strain while you tend to your plot. Search the internet for quality corrugated, galvanised Bluescope steel and Colorbond garden beds. Choose from a range of Colorbond colours, and a variety of shapes and heights. Available, ready-made, there are also suppliers who can customise to your specifications.

You might also like:

How to make timber raised garden beds

5 best raised planter boxes for your garden

How to build a raised vegie garden with recycled timber pallets

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Graham Ross
Graham Ross
Radio broadcaster and television gardening presenter, Graham Ross, has educated, entertained and inspired Australia’s gardening community and aspiring green thumbs during a career that has spanned more than 50 years.

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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

Graham visits Cowra Japanese garden

Graham visits Cowra Japanese garden

Graham visits Hillandale gardens

Graham visits Hillandale gardens

Graham Ross visits Elizabeth’s small garden

Graham Ross visits Elizabeth’s small garden

Graham’s country garden makeover

Graham’s country garden makeover

{headline}

{headline}

Graham visits Merribee Gardens

Graham visits Merribee Gardens

Graham Ross visits All Saints Garden

Graham Ross visits All Saints Garden

How to lift and divide agapanthus

How to lift and divide agapanthus

{headline}

{headline}

How to plant seedlings

How to plant seedlings

Graham visits Nooroo Garden

Graham visits Nooroo Garden

How to build a raised vegie garden with recycled timber pallets

How to build a raised vegie garden with recycled timber pallets

Graham visits Ooralba Estate gardens

Graham visits Ooralba Estate gardens

Everything you need to know about polyanthus

Everything you need to know about polyanthus

How to grow cane begonias from cuttings

How to grow cane begonias from cuttings

Graham’s backyard gardening tips

Graham’s backyard gardening tips

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