Raised Planter Bed Veggie Garden in Dublin

Urban dwellers are taking to back garden vegetable growing in droves. We are often asked to provide spaces to grow crops. Eating something home grown is a super satisfying thing, however there is an enormous time commitment to growing crops.  Even a few tomato plants or a couple of pots for beans requires time spent watering and tending.





Here this garden presented a number of issues we needed to deal with. Amongst them:

1) Childeren must still be able to use it as a play area.

2) Adults want a vegtable growing area.

3) It needs to look good all year round.

No matter how we tried we could not make a year round vegetable garden look attractive. Great in the growing season, but outside of that its bare earth or dying leaves.





With a south facing back garden this space is perfectly situated to be either a traditional garden with drifts of flowers and prettiness or as a bounteous small allotment.


As it stood it is neither one thing or another.
As we went through the design implications for vegetable growing versus rampaging four year olds chasing after footballs, bikes etc, we got inspiration form vegetable boxes themselves.





We decided on an enclosure policy. If plants of any variety were to have any chance of survival, it was not going to happen at ground level. We had to build up and have seperate managable areas within.
We constructed sectioned boxes within the outer graphite coloured wooden casing. Into these boxes can be planted salad crops seperated by a rosemary hedge. Onions, carrotts, beans and garlic will be segregated into oregano edged patches. Using these interior compartments allows that particular section of compost / topsoil to be removed and replaced for a different crop. There are blue berry bushes, raspberry canes, a small apple tree and bay hedge too.





Our signature olive tree is planted adding a constant to the structure. The old Victorian brick wall is left to look rustic and farm like against very strong urban- grey straight lines.
The grass area in the centre will grow back and is still big enough to allow a kick about space. The raised beds are a perfect depth for hobby crops. The clever use of space, colour and height in this garden provides ample enjoyment for childern and adults alike (and most importantly, a few veggies for dinner too!)