Root proof raised redwood garden beds

Redwood planter boxes with root protection

Last summer Stephan and I were tasked with designing and constructing some raised garden beds in Los Gatos. There were existing beds on the property that had become overrun with roots from a large oak tree in the back yard, rendering them useless and causing the old beds to break apart. Tree roots have a way of working their way into pretty much everything and can certainly become an issue in the garden as well, especially when they can find an area that is irrigated during the summer months.

2x6 frames before final assembly

Keeping this in mind, we had to come up with a design that would prevent root intrusion into the raised beds, which is impossible if the bed has any openings in the bottom. The standard procedure of covering the bottom with gopher wire wasn't going to work for this application.

In order to alleviate these concerns and to ensure the beds will last for many years to come, we enclosed to bottom of the beds with redwood 2x6 decking, turning them into large planter boxes, leaving a small space for expansion between each board, which is a must for any outdoor construction project using wood.

Assembled frames on pickup

There was concern over having adequate drainage into the existing soil with the bottoms in place as well so we opted to elevate each box using pressure-treated lumber. To prevent the boxes from sinking into the mud the weight was distributed onto 5/8" pressure treated plywood below. The use of pressure treated material normally isn't acceptable for use in vegetable beds (see linked post) but is fine here because it does not come in contact with the soil inside the boxes. The end result was four extremely durable large redwood planter boxes on bases that will last for decades.

These boxes are made entirely from construction-heart grade redwood 2x6 decking, which gives them a lot of flair. The top rails provide a working surface or a seat for those tending the garden and also add some strength to the boxes. Making all of the cuts and assembling all of the pieces takes a lot more time and skill, but the end result is well worth the extra labor. If you want to turn heads with your new raised beds or planter boxes, this is the way to go.

Robert carefully screws the bottom boards on

Inside view of the box

Possible topics and things to look forward to

I'm working on getting some content pages up and running for this blog. The first is going to be on basic redwood bed construction. I figure it is going to be best to have a page with a link on the sidebar that discusses actual construction, and I'm working on putting together more photos from my projects, etc.

Upcoming blog topics may include the following:

A raised bed. Photo by Jinx McCombs. Creative Common License.

-gophers

-hanging boxes

-styles and design

-alternatives to redwood

-fasteners

As the blog evolves, I might change the focus a bit to include more general advice for garden layout and design to keep things fresh on here.

Also, I'll probably feature the blogs and designs of others, maybe in a design of the week format! Feel free to contact me if you have any photos, design submissions or ideas! Stay tuned.

5 Reasons why raised redwood beds will improve your garden

Custom built redwood beds in a bird-proof enclosure. A beautiful addition to any yard.

The use of raised beds is an excellent way to create a garden that thrives just about anywhere, and is growing in popularity as we strive to maximize the quality and yield of our vegetables and flowers, often in rather tight spaces. Raised beds are superior to traditional in-ground ones for the following reasons.

1.) Less back pain. Anyone who has spent countless hours bent over in the garden pulling weeds has probably experienced a sore back. Raised beds are elevated so that they are easier to reach and work on without putting unnecessary strain on your body.

2.) Improved drainage-- In areas where the soil has a slower percolation rate raised beds are often the only reliable way to garden. Healthy root systems need to dry out from time to time and if they are constantly waterlogged your plants will not do well.

3.) Raised beds warm up faster in the spring-- For those in cooler climates, plants will get a jump start in the morning over those in the ground.

4.) Pest control-- Using raised beds lined with gopher wire will eliminate the headache caused by gophers killing off your prized plants by denying access to them. Also, it is easier to control insect populations in the confined environment that they provide so there are less issues with pests such as aphids and spider mites.

5.) Appearance-- Raised beds built from redwood will add natural beauty to your yard and can be very pleasing to the eye. Since they can be built in just about any style you can dream up and construct the perfect addition to your yard or patio.

So what are you waiting for? It's time to come up with a design.