So I've had this idea for a while of putting in a raised garden bed with some herbs in it right next to my outdoor area (which is really just a slab of coloured concrete at the moment lol) which is also near the kitchen. I want it to be around 2.5 metres long, probably around 600-800mm high and rectangular in shape.
Firstly I was thinking I might build the thing out of retaining wall type blocks (in a sandstone finish) and have it high enough that you could put capping on the top of the rectangular box that people could sit on. Problem is; I'm not very handy and have severe doubts about my ability to build such a thing. Also I'm concerned about needing to maybe put concrete in underneath the retaining wall blocks which is definitely outside of my abilities.
Recently I saw these products: http://www.birdiesgardenproducts.com.au/# which seem like a good idea (and simple enough that even an ignoramus like me could put them together;)). My concern is where I am going to put the thing there is absolutely no shade. The two longer spans of metal will be facing east and west.
So after that long spiel my questions are: will putting plants in what is basically a corrugated iron box that will be in full sun kill said plants? I see so many of my neighbours surrounding their plants with hard surfaces and bright white pebbles and then wondering why the poor things die and I don't want to doom plants to the same fate. If the metallic garden bed is not a go-er does anyone have suggestions for what else I could use to get the desired effect? (that I would be capable of constructing with minimal effort).
Thanks in advance