Funnily enough, on my remaining concrete wasteland patch, I had a builders dumpy with the remains of a load of ballast in it. Shifted the stacked slabs currently in that spot, dragged the dumpy into position and cut down the sides. Now all I need to do is top it up with some gritty topsoil - still have the leftovers from my friend's previous donation in a heap at the bottom of the garden so will add grit, mix it up and chuck it in. So pleased to be using up all these things which have been cluttering up the place!
A further ingredient I've been able to put to use are the blue bricks which have been sitting around in stacks since I lifted them out of the paved side area. They are now neatly providing an unmortared wall around this new planting pocket, and I think that they transform it from a bit of an eyesore into something quite presentable.
I can already imagine it billowing with larkspur in a few months time. I will defeat slugs with organic pellets this year, following last year's onslaught on the dahlias. They will not beat me in 2013.
So a massive THANKYOU again to Rosie for her brilliant idea!!!
I love funky, affordable ideas that work brilliantly! I hope your new bed is fabulous. :o)
ReplyDeleteThanks for that. Have now filled it with topsoil and covered it with black plastic a) to warm the soil up more quickly and b) to avoid cats colonising it as a loo. Here's hoping my larkspur seedlings will soon be calling this spot home.
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant idea.....I've a pile of similar blocks sitting doing nothing!!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with those organic slug pellets. I will be looking forward to seeing your larkspur flourish after all your efforts.
The tray of seedlings in the propagator has at least started to cooperate now, so am taking steps towards a flourishing raised bed. Fingers crossed that we all make it! I'm dead chuffed with getting a new planting space though.
DeleteA very good idea this raised bed and I love larkspurs so that will be fun in June.
ReplyDeleteHaven't grown it before, but the general feeling during the twitter chat was that it was a bit temperamental to get going. Sowed some direct in Sept but nothing came up, so have now resown seed in the propagator and it seems to be germinating at last. As my soil is fairly clay-y, I think they might appreciate the better drainage and added grit in this new spot. Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I love making raised beds out of left over materials. We had to pull up an old flagstone porch a while back and I used it to make planters and retaining walls.
ReplyDeleteHad one of those days - also made a mini coldframe out of more bricks and an old window - I'm getting to be as bad as my dad for hoarding bits and bobs...
ReplyDeleteLove it when inspiration hits! I can already imagine it filled with blooming larkspurs! Great job!
ReplyDeleteJust as well it hit yesterday as it's raining today. Still, not having had any rain for a couple of weeks, I'm sure the garden won't mind - and it has sure been a while since I said that!
DeleteRepurposing can lead to an interesting looking garden. That raised bed is fab.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased with it too - and pleased with how much tidier things look without heaps of clutter knocking about!
DeleteThis is really an amazing idea. Love it when discarded stuff gets a new life.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love it when space gets cleared as well!
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