Tall raised garden beds and salad tables help to stop rabbit-like pests while making gardening easier and more accessible. This photo gallery shares ideas from Home Garden.
These beds require more soil and compost than traditional beds, but there are wise ways to fill the box without wasting good soil.
Tall garden beds with easy access
Tall, raised beds keep plants out of reach easily. This is a practical choice for anyone who is bent or kneeling. It also helps to block ground level pests like rabbits and add a neat and visually appealing element to your garden.
Initial material costs are larger than standard raised beds, as they double or triple the size of the box, but for us who want to care for our gardens for years to come is worth it.
The salad table, essentially a raised bed with legs, is another good option. I have mine on the wheels so I move them to add sun or shade.
To grab your garden ideas, take a look at the photos below. I live in a termite-free area, so most planters are made from trees. If you have a building plan, it is included in the Resources section.
Tall raised bed
Tall, raised beds are great for preventing back and knee strain, but they have their drawbacks. In addition to spending more money, you will need more soil. Or run some smart workarounds.
This lists many clever ways to save soil costs by filling most of the space with other materials or creating false bottoms within the box.
These lovely tiered beds (above) use a different cost saving measure. Build the bed from end to end. It will reduce some wood costs right there.
If you are wondering which type of wood to use, the decision will start at your local timber yard. Cost and availability are all about it. Where I live, cedar is the wisest choice, but as the prices are affordable, I would choose to use thick pine trees that last around 10 years in weather conditions.
Most plants require less than a foot of soil depth in the root space, so that’s where you put your best soil and compost. In my tall bed, I used soil free from pond excavation to fill the bottom two-thirds.
These metal stock tanks have become a popular choice for both small garden ponds and tall raised beds. Before using, check with the manufacturer to ensure that the ingredients are food safe (if growing food) and watertight (if using for water).
Personally, I want all the materials to be safe regardless of use.
This raised bed (above) is in my yard. We expanded our back post to support privacy barriers. You can see how it was built here.
Squash is planted on the wooden bed (top). It is best to place the trellis during planting so that the plant can guide it as it grows.
Note that the bed (on top) is sitting on the brick. This is a wise idea for a damp climate, so no wood is sitting on the ground. This will certainly increase the lifespan of the wood.
The wooden breeding floor (top) is packed with vegetables and herbs. If you enjoy garden art like me, consider painting designs on the side panels or adding art and garden signs.
The raised bed (above) is a kind of plastic composite material (preferably made from old plastic). The components will be clicked together to create a bed of the required size. I’m not a fan of colour, but I probably have other options.
In the photo (above), the gardener created a tall raised bed on a flat roadway, allowing wheelchair access.
Some gardeners also like the composition of this keyhole. These intermediate boards are seats that you can move around while you’re working.
The bed (top) has a metal frame that supports wood.
Salad table
This style of planter is called a “salad table” or “elevated planter box.” You can see it here on Amazon.
Whichever design you choose, be sure to include drain holes that are strong enough to hold moist soil and to prevent rot.
If you don’t want a box, you can also use plant stands on tables and stairs to keep the container out of reach.
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~Melissa Empress of the Defiled
