How to install horseshoe-shaped garden beds in a greenhouse?

Question

We've moved into a place that had a greenhouse in the backyard that the previous owners used to grow orchids so it had shelves. We've taken the shelves out but would like to put in a garden bed in a horseshoe shape but don't know how to go about it. We are going to remove the gravel then put weed matting down and were thinking of using iron cladding as the walls, but we haven't built something like this before so looking for advice. The dimensions of the inner length is 260cm, the inner middle is 115cm, the outer middle is 207cm, the outer length is 317cm and the width is 45cm.

Dave-1 · Answer

Good Evening @mariannab

The more I look at those beds the harder I think it will be to form up a reasonable space for raised beds (as it is) Its a very nice greenhouse and it does look purpose built for shelves and growing things at waist high.

I have seen tomato plants growing from PVC pipes, both horizontal and vertical versions. You could have the gravel removed and then go for a heaped style bed (the sides are what I am concerned about taking up valuable soil space) and then hang climbing lines for the plants to grow upwards.

I have seen strawberries hanging from pots that would work in your greenhouse as well, it would maximise space and you could plumb in an irrigation system to drip feed the pots, tubes or bases.

If you really want a raised bed inside the greenhouse then I would lift the concrete down the center and move it to one side (It kind of looks like largish slabs/stepping stones I hope) and then on the other side you could build a raised bed and have enough of a garden bed to be productive.

Dave

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @mariannab,

H4 timber sleepers, such as these 200 x 50mm Sleeper H4 Sienna MicroPro 2.4m, are treated to be resistant to moisture and are suitable for use in direct contact with the ground. The high humidity in the tropics can reduce their lifespan, but you can still expect them to last for 10-15 years. Metal garden beds would typically last longer if rust isn't able to set in, but I don't think you should entirely turn away from timber. It is cheap and relatively easy to build with when compared with metal.

With this being said, for custom garden beds, the main obstacle with using corrugated metal is the frame as I am not aware of a premade, simple solution for creating the corners and anchoring the garden bed down. You might like to check out the garden beds in @moshiach77's project for some potential solutions.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/72588/raised-garden-bed-using-corrugated-iron

If you were purchasing a garden bed kit, I'd be looking at the beds from

https://www.bunnings.com.au/brands/t/the-organic-garden-co

because you can trim the corrugated panels down using some aviation snips, and then simply slot them into the corner and frame pieces as normal. Doing this, you can use their standard kits to fit your space well, you just may need to use two kits for the longer sections.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

mariannab · Answer

Thanks for the advice Jacob. I meant adding raised garden beds with iron cladding and keeping the shade netting as the walls. We'd like to maximize the space so probably looking at something custom. I had thought of using sleepers, but we're located in tropical Far North QLD so anything wood tends to rot pretty quickly, that's why we were thinking about using cladding.

As for what to plant we are planning on planting veggies, mainly tomatoes, cucumbers and maybe an eggplant and zucchini if there is room