Stone raised beds are timelessly beautiful in two senses of the word: They not only look very versatile and aesthetic, they are also among the most durable of their kind. Stone raised beds can be stacked up like a dry wall - i.e. without the use of mortar - or bricked.

A brick raised bed looks chic, but is a bit more complex to build

Advantages of a stone raised bed

Plants often thrive remarkably well in the vicinity of stones. There are various reasons for this: Stones store the heat of the day in order to release it back into their surroundings at night. They shade and protect their berth so that the plant roots are protected from drying out due to the sun shining too brightly. Depending on their size, stones take up more or less space and accordingly keep the ground free of excessive vegetation. This gives the plants in their immediate vicinity all the more light. Dew that has formed on the stones seeps into the ground and therefore also benefits the plants growing here.

Which stones are used to build the wall?

The raised bed gardener is spoiled for choice and can choose from a wide range: natural rubble stones, bricks, clinker, paving stones and many other types of stone are suitable for a brick raised bed project. Rectangular, round, oval or even like a snake: there is a suitable stone for every shape. If the bed is to be built using mortar, evenly shaped stones are preferable to irregularly shaped ones. These are easier to process into a vertical raised bed wall. Naturally formed rubble stones from a quarry, on the other hand, are more suitable for the "dry" version of the raised bed, in which the stones are loosely stacked on top of each other in dry construction - i.e. without the use of mortar. Dry stone walls should always have a slight slope in order to be able to absorb the earth pressure acting on them more easily.

Bricks should be frost resistant

In principle, you can work with any stone intended for bricklaying. However, make sure that they are not sensitive to cold or moisture. Moisture penetrating the masonry can caused by frost in the cold season, can lead to serious damage and thus reduce the lifespan of the raised bed. For this reason, bricks, for example, are less suitable for building a raised bed. Clinker, on the other hand, is both robust and aesthetically pleasing, but difficult to work with.

Building a raised bed - step-by-step instructions

Once the most important questions about the right material have been answered, you can finally start building your stone raised bed.

You will need these materials:

  • Gravel for the foundation (essential for brick raised beds!)
  • bricks
  • a suitable mortar (ready-made mixture from the hardware store)
  • Pond liner to cover the inner walls
  • a floor grid to protect against vermin (e.g. rabbit wire)
  • organic filling material (e.g. compostable garden waste, potting soil)

When it comes to tools, you should definitely have a spirit level, a vibrating plate, (499.00€) a plumb bob, a spade and suitable masonry tools ready.

And here we go:

  • Dig a foundation trench at least 20 centimeters deep.
  • Compact it carefully with a vibrating plate.
  • Fill in gravel and carefully compact each layer.
  • Now place the first row of stones in a thick bed.
  • Align them precisely.
  • Now build up the raised bed row by row.
  • Lay the rabbit wire out on the floor with no gaps.
  • Cover the inside with pond liner or another suitable material.
  • This serves to protect against moisture and thus to increase durability.
  • Now you can fill and plant the raised bed as desired.

tips

Raised compost beds should be created in autumn if possible so that the material has rotted by then and the nutrients it contains are available for the plants.

Category:

Vegetable garden