Raised garden bed transformation with arch

HarrietSpittle

🖼️

The project:

My partner and I are fixing up our first home and wanted to settle down some roots by starting our garden first. We spent every weekend for 7 months building these as we have very little construction experience but a lot of passion for permaculture and environmental conservation. These are raised garden beds with fruit trees around the perimeter and produce in the middle four beds.

- Materials:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/90-x-19mm-5-7m-merbau-joined-set-length-pre-oiled-decking_p0177416

https://www.bunnings.com.au/intergrain-1l-merbau-ultradeck-timber-decking-oil-1l_p1520142

https://www.bunnings.com.au/bremick-ultrafast-10g-x-65mm-stainless-steel-304-black-t20-truss-head-decking-screw-500-pack_p0671140

https://www.bunnings.com.au/saxon-110cm-black-t-steel-fence-post_p0022268

https://www.bunnings.com.au/saxon-0-5-x-2-5m-25-x-25mm-wire-mesh_p0054583

https://www.bunnings.com.au/broccoli-magic-dwarf-punnet-brassica-oleracea-var-italic_p0117320

https://www.bunnings.com.au/grunt-2m-x-20m-black-140um-multi-use-plastic-film_p0412362

https://www.bunnings.com.au/garden-basics-25l-compost_p0274306

https://www.bunnings.com.au/oreco-26m2-sweet-garden-sugar-cane-mulch_p2961137

https://www.bunnings.com.au/95mm-sage-salvia-officinalis_p0092675

https://www.bunnings.com.au/125mm-parsley-italian-petroselinum-crispum-neapolitanum-food-for-life-range_p0092617

https://www.bunnings.com.au/dulux-10l-woodland-grey-low-sheen-weathershield-exterior-paint_p0144868

- Tools:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-2000w-254mm-dual-bevel-sliding-mitre-saw_p0087774

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-pxc-18v-cordless-impact-driver-kit-pxidk-250_p0299324

https://www.bunnings.com.au/paint-partner-mini-roller-kit-10-piece_p0328966

https://www.bunnings.com.au/holman-12mm-x-30m-yardmate-garden-hose_p0047702

https://www.bunnings.com.au/sherlock-100l-home-use-poly-tray-wheelbarrow_p0043703

https://www.bunnings.com.au/saxon-d-handle-all-steel-concreter-shovel_p0822802

- Step 1:

Full garden excavation, including removal of the hills hoist, some trees and grass.

- Step 2:

Design of garden beds using an online 3D modelling program.

- Step 3:

Order materials through Bunnings and collect. We then measured and cut the wood to each size required.

- Step 4:

Stain the wood for the beds and sand wood where needed. Paint the fences.

- Step 5:

Screw wood together into panels and use set square to attach to create the boxes.

- Step 6:

Position boxes in garden, level them and line with construction plastic for waterproofing.

- Step 7:

Use the hugleculture method to fill beds (using locally sourced waste materials), and run irrigation to provide water.

- Step 8:

Add seats to tops of beds to increase accessibility for all ages to reach into the beds.

- Step 9:

Attach pickets to beds and wire mesh to create the arches.

- Step 10:

Plant trees and saplings of all kinds to the garden beds! Then celebrate with your friends that you’ve completed the project!

EricL

Hello @HarrietSpittle

What a wonderfully built raised garden bed! It's so special to see a first home being transformed into a thriving space that reflects your passion for permaculture and environmental conservation, and the care you've put into every detail really shines through. Spending seven months working together every weekend makes this project even more meaningful, and the finished layout with the productive raised beds, fruit trees and garden arches looks both beautiful and incredibly inviting.

Thank you for sharing the progress photos as well, they made it such a pleasure to see the journey from an open backyard to a flourishing garden.

Eric