Raising an Existing Bed

17 years ago

I've been trying to work around the small, level-with-the-lawn, flat bed that was already planted in front of our bungalow we bought 3 years ago. The more I look at it, the more I realize I need to create a raised design, probably with a stacked stone or brick edge - like 2 bricks high, not too much, for it to look right. There are no evergreens in it right now, just some maiden grass that gets really big, lavendar, some taller and low growing sedums, a few other perennials, oh, and a small Japanese maple, like less than 2 feet high.

I have added shredded hardwood mulch every year, though possibly not enoough, and I still feel like we are getting dirt runoff into the lawn, and for sure onto our neighbor's driveway. The lots are very small here, and it looks like our little lawn and landscaped bed in the front of the house is higher than our neighbor's, and everything kind of slopes slightly away from the house (which I guess it should for drainage) and toward the driveways on either side.

Couple of questions - would a raised bed help contain the soil, and if I only plan to add maybe 6 inches of height, do I have to remove all the plantings and set everything higher? The only well established plants are the maiden grass and probably the lavendar (and the jap. maple has been there about 3 years, but we are thinking of moving it to the back). The sedums look very aggressive and could probably handle being removed and re-planted, and the rest of the stuff that I put in last summer has sort of heaved, anyway. I think I didn't plant them deep enough in the first place. Given that - can I create a raised bed here without "starting over?" A lot of the plants seem like they need at least a few inches more soil around them, anyway, and I know we've had some erosion and run-off.

I am dreading the idea of pulling everything out and starting over, especially those tall grasses, I think I would need a back hoe - they are a little too big and droopy for our postage-stamp front yard, but I think they'll be acceptable for a couple more years.

Last thing - can anyone point me to a good reference for building a low, stacked brick or stone raised bed so I can prevent too much shifting/settling, and keep proper drainage away from the house? I'm freaked out about getting water in the basement, I've lived in some moldy situations in the past and don't want a repeat.

Sorry this is so long, I'm obviously a gardening newbie, any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated!

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Comments (2)

Saypoint zone 6 CT
17 years ago
Have you done a search of the forums for raised beds? You should find lots of threads both here, and on other forums such as the Gardening with Stone, and possibly Perennials forums.

You can't raise the depth of the soil around the Maple without compromising the health and appearance of the tree, so moving it or lifting and replanting are your best options.

It sounds like your "flat" bed actually slopes away from the house, or you wouldn't be having erosion problems. A low retaining wall, such as you describe, maybe two bricks high, would help contain the soil and prevent erosion. You don't say if the bed is against the house, but if it is, be careful not to put soil against wood siding when raising the soil level.

A photo would help us see what you're dealing with, taken from far enough back to see the whole situation.

There is a New to Gardening forum that might give you lots of basic info to get you started. Also check out Shrubs, Perennials, and your regional forum.
dianepmt
Original Author
17 years ago
thank you! I will check out the other forums you mentioned. I did get some great advice on plant choices from someone in the midwest regional forum. I don't know how to insert a picture directly into this post, but I'll try the URL link below. Maybe that will help with any suggestions on where the raised bed should begin and end, since right now it abuts the sidewalk. I'm stumped about what to do on either side of the front porch step, since at some point we'll be adding a railing and replacing the concrete. The bed is against the house, runs the whole length of the house and to the porch, with the sidewalk breaking it. I'm actually not sure how to handle the part where it meets the sidewalk, I guess I will have to push it back, since I'm not sure I'd want the bricks right up to the walk.

I have to say I did search a lot last year for info on this type of raised bed with the drainage issue in mind - my paranoia about directing water down around the foundation and having mold problems - we already get a musty smell in the basement in warmer weather, despite the dehumidifier I run 24/7. I was not able to find anything addressing that issue - we have a brick house with a flagstone facade on the front all the way to the ground, and I was unsure about banking dirt up higher against the house just because of the moisture/drainage concern. Possibly my concerns are unfounded.

My other lingering question is - aside from the maple, which will probably get moved (cute, but way too small it's to the right of the porch), what about the other plants, like the grasses and perennials, in terms of whether they have to be removed for this project, or can I just add more soil around them, considering there has been some erosion and heaving, anyway?

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:14163}}
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Raising an Existing Bed

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Saypoint zone 6 CT

dianepmt
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Raising an Existing Bed

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Saypoint zone 6 CT

dianepmtOriginal Author

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dianepmt
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