Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Nov 27, 2008 2:47 pm We are building in Albany and will have the ubiquitous colorbond fencing at the sides and back.
We would like our back yard to have a raised garden bed along all three fences but are worried that soil against the fence could prematurely cause the fence to rust away. We have thought of putting some form of sheeting against the fence but are not sure whether this is a good idea. The front of the beds will most likely be limestone blocks. Has anyone any suggestions? Thank you in advance. Gerrit Re: Raised garden bed against fence 2Nov 27, 2008 3:30 pm I am not a builder but I would not raise the garden bed above the level of the colourbond sheeting, nor I think it is a good idea to put anything against it. If metal parts are kept damp they will rust. I have been gardening for over 1/4 of a century and I know what happens, even to zink aluminium covered sheds when the soil is banked upon them . Have plants covering the fence by all means but keep the soil level below the fence.
Maggie Re: Raised garden bed against fence 3Nov 27, 2008 7:23 pm I just built all ours and yes you need a rear wall too. I did mine with a narrow gap so I can clean any mess that may build up over the years behind there. I used limestone. It is two courses high, with one underneath.
http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk321/FuManchu5ltr/asstpics279-1.jpg that screen will become a water feature...one day Re: Raised garden bed against fence 4Nov 27, 2008 10:55 pm Thanks for the info. I was wondering whether there are any problems with putting fibreglass roof (or some such) sheets against the fence to stop the soil from causing rusting problems. They would be dug in about 20cm. Seems to me that would be much cheaper than a limestone retainer at the back. The garden bed would be about as high as yours. Re: Raised garden bed against fence 5Nov 28, 2008 7:12 am The manufacturer's website definitely states that soil should not be in contact with the sheeting. We'll be using treated pine or something similar along the base of our fences to protect them.
I don't know about fibreglass sheeting - it tends to go brittle over time and I doubt it's designed to be in contact with soil. Perhaps talk to the guys at your local hardware or building supplies place? They may be able to recommend a few alternatives. Re: Raised garden bed against fence 6Nov 28, 2008 7:40 am Fu Manchu I just built all ours and yes you need a rear wall too. I did mine with a narrow gap so I can clean any mess that may build up over the years behind there. I used limestone. It is two courses high, with one underneath. http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk321/FuManchu5ltr/asstpics279-1.jpg that screen will become a water feature...one day Hi Fu. Just a question about what you have done with your Limestone border... With the course that is underground, did you concrete it in place, or did you just backfill with soil & lay the upper course ontop?? Also the upper course, did you use a bonding agent such as liquid nails, or stronger to hold it together?? Looking at doing something very similar... but 3 or 4 borders that step down every couple of feet or so. Cheers, Mike. My Blog... http://ahouseonthehill.blogspot.com/ Re: Raised garden bed against fence 7Nov 28, 2008 8:06 am I would suggest you do what I did, and screw some painted Villaboard / concrete sheeting against the fence before backfilling. This will prevent any damage to the fence
Adrian B Re: Raised garden bed against fence 8Nov 29, 2008 8:29 am For our wall we just used a compacted yellow sand base, (no proper concrete footings as it was only two courses)
I used the part between courses as a guide when we where paving... or extending the paving anyway from what it was. We also installed an ag drain to soak away all the water when it rains. All the soak wells are linked to each other right through the back of the property. Liquid nails? Mortar is what I used to build the wall. we made it two courses high more to get plant roots to go deeper when they mature, avoiding any hassles with buckling paving as there are quite a few small trees now in there With the soil, we back filled with the gardenersdirect.com.au bulk product. The very bottom layer of soil is mixed deeper with the sand to a further depth of 500mm. then about a 900mm of the good soil. we didn't back fill till weeks and weeks after building the wall. We had to pave first as well. For a more substantial wall I would suggest bigger limestone blocks. limestone blocks are just about all reconstituted now, so are much stronger than they used to be. I used the small thinner ones only because it was more cosmetic than anything else. Re: Raised garden bed against fence 9Nov 29, 2008 8:32 am I wish I could have done Adrian's way We are coastal though and I didn't want any pressure on the fence. If it rusts in years to come, the soil may push it over. I think Adrian will be fine, it is a more cost effective way of doing it. DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair I'm in WA and our sandy soils make drainage a bit easier but this is what I'd be doing. Dig down to your footings and let the wall dry out. Clean it all well by brushing… 1 5193 6 4346 |