Raised bed garden on patio?

KCO805 4/29/2018, 8:02 pm

This is probably not a new topic but I am new to SFG.

The sunniest place in my yard in on my patio. I purchased a tiered raised bed with no bottom. Any ideas for enclosing the bottom to keep from staining the concrete?

Would you recommend filling up the entire enclosure with soil or is there a better (read, cheaper) to partially fill the container.

Any advise will be greatly appreciated. Cheers!!
KCO

jim022659 4/29/2018, 8:44 pm

why not just container gardening? its the same as SFG but better suited for the patio. a 12 inch pot will grow a lot of carrots and those window sill trough type planters will grow a lot of radishs. a 6 in pot is good for lettace or put 2 in a 12 inch pot. my daughter is in an apartment and I am helping her get started with growing out on her patio with pots.

SQWIB 4/29/2018, 9:36 pm

Post some dimension and photos and I'm sure the good folks on SFG can help.

KCO805 4/29/2018, 9:59 pm

Hi thank you for your reply, the raised is 4x4 . I am new so I have to wait 7 days before I can post pics.

**Turan** 4/29/2018, 11:38 pm

If the drainage is not good enough from the beds you will get a nasty muck unless you plan for that. A container drains its excess into a 'saucer' of some sort. You can create that in a sealed bottom bed by being aware, and having several inches of sand/ rock/ perlight/volcanic rock/ plastic packing peanuts.

**sanderson** 4/30/2018, 1:53 am

KCO, Welcome to the Forum from Fresno! $glad you\'re here$ I find that the leachate dripping from the bottom of the beds is not a permanent stain. I have had pots on the walkways and have beds and totes on the brick patio. So, I recommend that you line the bottom of the bed with weed fabric (I prefer the commercial grade), bringing it up the insides of the bed. That will prevent losing any bedding medium. Fill the lower part with sand and top with 6-7" of Mel's Mix. Leave a couple inches of head space for mulch during the summer.

Question, does the bed come in layers that can be used as separate beds? Do you have more room on the patio for another bed?

**AtlantaMarie** 4/30/2018, 8:06 am

Hi KCO. Welcome also from Atlanta, GA!

Sanderson's given some great advice & asked a great question...

Looking forward to seeing what you do!!

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