Raised Garden Beds: Size, Soil and Cost

1. Size

• Keep beds no wider than about 1.2 m so you can reach the middle from either side.
• Height of 30 to 60 cm suits most veggies; taller is easier on the back.
• Leave paths wide enough for a wheelbarrow.

2. Materials

Untreated hardwood, galvanised steel kits and masonry all work. Avoid timber treated with chemicals you don't want near food crops. Check the treatment type.

3. Filling

A good garden mix or a blend of topsoil and compost. Big beds can be partly filled at the bottom with coarse organic material to save soil. It will settle, so top up the next season.

4. How much soil

Length × width × height = cubic metres. The Raised Bed Soil Calculator works it out for several beds, with a settling allowance.

5. Quick summary

• 1.2 m wide or less.
• Food-safe materials.
• Allow for settling.

General information only. Check the maker's instructions, and ask your council about approvals.

← Back to all guides