Raised Beds

          

  Today I would like to continue the discussion regarding various garden styles that are friendlier to the disabled than the traditional garden. Raised beds are a good option for people who are unable to bend and kneel, or who use a wheelchair. Now, while I understand that an initial reaction may involve thoughts of, “How can a disabled person use a raised bed when they are only 12 – 18 inches off the ground?” Well, the answer is; they can’t, when they’re 12 – 18 inches off the ground. The secret to utilizing a raised bed for people in this situation is to create a bed that is height friendly.

            There are no hard fast rules that state a raised bed can only be so high. One must just use a little imagination and you can raise your bed to whatever height you need. There is two ways to build the bed. You can choose to simply build a 12-18 inch deep box and place it on legs to the desired height, or you can create a full sized bed from the ground up. Let’s take the average height of a wheelchair armrest; about 30 inches. Build the bed to that height, make the beds more narrow than the average 4 foot recommendation so that you are able to reach to the middle of it, and allow yourself access to both sides. If it’s only possible to access one side then simply modify the design so that you are able to reach all the way across.

            Depending on the building materials you choose to use for the beds, it may be necessary to get a friend or loved one to help build the initial bed. Most raised beds are more easily constructed when two or more people work together anyway. Plot your area out carefully taking into consideration the amount of direct sunlight the area gets throughout the day and purchase your plants accordingly.

  

            If using the ground up method of beds it is not necessary to fill the entire space with topsoil and compost. There are many different filler options available but you want to be sure that what you choose fits your needs. In other words, you wouldn’t want to use any materials that could leach contaminants into a vegetable bed. What might be fine for flowers may not be the best choice for edibles. Here is a list of some options that I’m aware of and some notes to consider before choosing which filler is best suited to your needs.

Non-edibles:

Crushed Plastic 2 liter bottles, Crushed Milk Jugs, Large Pieces of Styrofoam with Drainage Holes, Soda Cans, Non-dissolving Packing Peanuts (If going this route please be sure to contain them in some type of large plastic mesh bag like the ones used for onions or potatoes. Not only will uncontained peanuts end up all over your yard when re-mixing the soil; Styrofoam peanuts are deadly to any wildlife that may ingest them)

Edibles:

Sand, Gravel, Rocks. You may also create a false bottom by using wood or Styrofoam but you will need to use a layer of landscape fabric and at least 1 inch of sand to help prevent any leaching from the Styrofoam. Do not use pressure treated wood for a vegetable bed. While these precautions should help, they are certainly not 100%. If I was the one making a bed for edibles I would want to be sure all the materials were organic and chemical free.

            That all said, a raised bed is a good choice for people unable to bend or kneel, or if you are using a wheelchair. Be sure to include the standard 12-18 inches of topsoil and compost after using the filler and then enjoy tending to your plants. If the idea of building raised beds seems to overwhelming or impractical purchasing pre-made is always an option, or tune in for the next entry when I’ll be discussing container gardening. There may be more possiblities here for you than you think.