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Raised Beds

From "Weekend Landscaping"
episode WKL-203

A person with disabilities will have special needs that should be addressed during the garden planning stages. Walkways and paths will need to be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers. Materials used for walkways must offer stable and firm footing. Raised beds must be high enough to reach easily, and bed width must also be considered. Seating areas should be part of the bed design in order to reach the plants.

The Americans with Disabilities Act recommends that pathways be 4' wide to accommodate wheelchairs. This allows room for the wheelchair to pass through an area and turn around. Burns had designed a garden area in a 15 ' X 13 ' space that is composed of four-quadrant raised planting beds surrounded by 4' walkways with a 5' turnaround area in the center. The planter boxes are each 4-1/2 ' X 3-1/2 ' and are topped with 8"-wide boards for seating while working.

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Figure A

Before starting the raised beds, make sure the garden area has good drainage and has been graded to a level surface.

Starting at the back corner, measure in 4-1/2', the length of one planter box, and mark the spot with paint (figure A).
Measure in another 4' for the width of the back walkway, and mark this spot.
Measure 3-1/2' in for the width of one planter box. Mark spot.
Measure in 4' for another walkway, leaving 3-1/2' for the front planter, which will sit flush in the front corner of the garden area by the driveway.
A chalk string line is used to connect the lines, showing exactly where everything will be placed. This design allows all planters to be accessible from at least three sides.

Wood/polymer lumber will be used for constructing the beds. The lumber is 50 percent wood and 50precent plastic: it is water resistant and not affected by termites or wood rot. It does not require painting, sealing or staining to protect it from UV rays or moisture, and it has no toxic preservatives, so it can be disposed of with other construction waste. It cannot be used for load-bearing posts or joists but is an excellent choice for seating areas because it does not crack, warp or splinter. Note: Building the planters can be simplified by predrilling the holes in the lumber.