VERY basic gardening question please!

[Chelsdean87]

Hi all

Thinking about attempting some DIY in the garden in the Spring. I’ve seen some Pinterest pics of raised planters around the borders of gardens which is what I’d like to try and achieve.

So my basic question is - I dig up the grass around the outer edges of the garden.. do I need to put anything down on the bottom of the planters? Or do I literally build them on top of what will be soil (when I dig up the grass) and then build up Inside with more soil?

Thanks!

We have this. We don’t have a base but we lined the wood sides with a special liner to make it last longer/not rot.

if you’re planting anything invasive then you would need to contain within the container (if that makes sense) to stop the roots running out and popping up elsewhere.

Mine are made from sleepers which have been bitumened on the inside. They are open at the bottom.

ok that’s good to know - thanks!

do you mind me asking what you lined it with please? I have no idea where to start!

I know this one is a few days old but:

• I wouldn't bother digging up the grass, myself. Just put your raised beds right on top. There will be so much soil on the grass that it'll die off anyway.
• Line them with anything. Normally the most convenient thing is the plastic bags the soil/compost came in. If you don't have those then any type of plastic sheeting will do. It doesn't have to be perfect, just keep the majority of soil out of direct contact with the majority of wood.

Yes, don't bother taking up the grass. Keep the bottom open unless you plan on planting bamboo, in that case you need a sealed container.

Wilko is fabulous for cheap good quality spring bulbs by the way.

Not just less work, but if you leave the grass it will rot into valuable humus, increasing both the nutrient and the water retention of the soil, and stopping it compacting.

You can just put wooden frames straight onto grass, the grass will soon die back. If you have weeds, you can put cardboard down under the soil you use in the planters. I use Pallet Collars all the time on grass and just fill and plant up.