Large balcony planter ideas

Small balcony planter ideas

It is no secret that raised beds make growing plants and veggies much easier and convenient. Whether you’re raising them slightly off the ground or you decide to opt for tall raised beds to make gardening infinitely easier, WoodBlocX is here to help you level up!

We have picked out some of our customers' best tall raised bed ideas from their own gardens to show you how effective tall planters can look in the garden and the different ways they can be used either to improve a space or to enhance your gardening experience.

There are so many ways to add value to your garden, whether you want to create the ultimate outdoor space to be enjoyed by you and your family or you’re thinking longer-term and possibly selling your home in the future.

Making your garden more appealing with certain statement features or quick updates can make a big difference to your home's value. It is estimated that a well-presented garden can add an extra 20% to the overall value of your property, and by adding certain desirable features, that figure can be higher.

If your garden is in need of a refresh, the ideas in this blog are quick and easy and can all be done without using tradespeople!

WoodBlocX can be used to build a multitude of garden structures, from raised beds, retaining walls, seats and raised ponds to more creative designs that integrate lots of different features.

Take a look at the ideas below and see how WoodBlocX can be used to transform your garden.

WoodBlocX is ideal for landscaping sloping gardens to create split-level designs. Our modular timber system provides so much flexibility when retaining earth whilst creating beautiful growing areas.

In this blog, we've shared 8 easy split level garden ideas to help you get inspired to create your own multi-level design. We know that no two gardens are the same which is why WoodBlocX is the perfect landscaping product! Using our Free Design Service you can get a bespoke design that fits your outdoor space. Why not combine a retaining garden wall with raised planters and seating to create something that is both multi-functional and attractive.

Using WoodBlocX for split level gardens

Retaining garden wall with seating

Using a retaining garden wall is a great way to landscape a split level garden. It can also be a simple way to create defined areas in small gardens where multi-level landscaping is needed. Digging into the sloped area and flattening the top can provide a much more usable outdoor space.

Our retaining walls can be built up to 1.05m and each kit is fully customisable. Depending on the width and height we can look at adding seating that is built into the wall or you could opt to add a bench to the fascia of the wall. Using our Free Design Service is the best option for this.

Sunken seating areas

Some gardens have a small sloping area within a flat garden. These spaces can be easily transformed using our seating or a combination of seating and planters to create multi-tiered areas. Our customer Marko did just that in his garden and created a beautiful sunken fire pit seating area. For design inspiration take a look at our Fire Pit Seating designs.

Low retaining walls

Creating a split-level garden to flatten the space can be done even on the slightest slope. Adding a low retaining wall can really improve the space. Depending on the height of the wall, it can also double up as a step.

Some of our customers have done this effectively and carried on the wall to create a wall/step/garden border combination using one continuous structure - use our Free Design Service for this type of design. Our customers Ruth and James created a low retaining wall to tier a new build garden. It showcases the versatility of WoodBlocX and how it can have multiple uses.

Tiered wooden planters

Tiered and stepped planters are a great option for split-level gardens, especially if the slope is quite steep! Using planters helps to break the space up and make it much more interesting than simply having a tall retaining wall. For multi-level designs, it can be a great way to add planting areas at different heights. We can create bespoke tiered planters to fit your garden space using our Free Design Service.

Steps

Steps are an ideal solution to tackling a split level garden. Incorporating steps into your landscaping plans also maximises your ability to freely move around your garden. Our steps can be incorporated into a planter or retaining wall design or built directly into a slope. To get started with your project, try our Free Design Service.

Raised beds

If you don't plan on fully landscaping your split level garden but still want to add an interesting feature, building a raised bed or a series of raised beds into the slope would help to create a multi-level space for growing plants or edibles.

Use our raised bed calculator on our website to choose a shape and size that fits your garden area or browse our pre-designed kits for more complex designs.

Water features & garden ponds

Adding a water feature can be a great idea when creating a split-level garden design. Incorporating water is also a dynamic and simple way to increase biodiversity in your garden.

We can include space for a pond or water feature within our tired planter designs or you could add a freestanding pond to one of the tiered levels. If you choose to bring a pond up to ground level, like the one shown in the photo below, please ensure it has a secure safety cover to prevent accidents with children.

Bespoke garden design

If your split-level garden needs a large-scale design, we're here to help! Our Free Design Service team has years of experience creating WoodBlocX designs for all types of terrain and sizes of garden.  From retaining walls with steps or seating areas to wooden planters with water features, we can design a structure to help you create your dream garden.

WoodBlocX designs for multi-level gardens

A well-established garden is a feast for the senses; the combination of colour, scent, texture and sound, plus a sprinkling of sunshine, can be an instant mood booster. In this blog we explore how to create a sensory garden that is specifically designed for sensory needs, whether you want to create your own sensory garden at home for you and your family or for a school, for specific needs and therapy or for the elderly. We have spoken to the experts and gathered examples from some of the many sensory gardens that we have designed raised beds and garden seating for over the years via our Free Design Service and through our commercial business WoodBlocX Landscaping.

What are the benefits of sensory gardens?

We asked Sensory Technology, experts in creating outdoor spaces that are optimised to stimulate the senses for schools, care homes, hospitals and more to tell us about the benefits of sensory gardens. Their gardens include plenty of specially selected plants, easily accessible raised planters and also other elements such as pergolas with coloured roof panels to reflect different colours depending on the time of day, water features and textured and colourful pathways. These are all things that could be easily incorporated into a DIY sensory garden.

The top five benefits of sensory gardens:

• Sensory gardens can be accessible to a range of users across different ages, needs and abilities
• The gardens are a fun way of interacting with the natural environment around us
• They provide a safe space to develop and improve core skills
• For youngsters, these spaces encourage an interactive and engaging way of learning outside of the classroom
• Above all, sensory gardens are therapeutic, creating a calming environment for users to visit and de-stress

What to plant in a sensory garden

Selecting a good mixture of plants is key when creating a sensory garden. Antony Henn, garden designer and founder of garden border in a box company, Garden on a Roll, shares his top 10 sensory garden plants with us. His selection includes a selection of aromatic and colourful herbs.

• Rosemary – Incredibly useful kitchen herb which grows happily in most positions. It flowers early in the year and its scented blue flowers are loved by emerging bees and butterflies.
• Lavender – Probably the best-known garden plant. Beautiful, scented flowers and aromatic foliage. Attractive to all manner of beneficial insects and helps you sleep!
• Fennel – Looks beautiful in any border and the flower umbels and seed heads are attractive to wildlife and look fabulous even in winter.
• Sage – Attractive evergreen, certain varieties such as silver or jerusalem have soft leaves that are nice to touch
• Bay – This useful evergreen is popular for lots of dishes and as a topiary specimen in a container. It can of course be grown in the garden too but needs clipping twice a year if you don’t want it to grow too large.
• Oregano – Much loved by bees and butterflies, this beautiful low growing herb is used in many dishes and works well in any sunny, well-drained position.
• Chives – Grassy-looking foliage used extensively in the kitchen. Beautiful flower spikes in early-mid summer which all insects love.
• Thyme – Low-growing popular herb that looks lovely in any sunny, well-drained border. Bees love the flowers and the stems and foliage are used in many dishes.
• Parsley – Such a useful herb, which grows well in a pot on the patio with other complimentary plants. Great in salads and many dishes with attractive foliage too.
• Mint – Best grown in posts to stop it spreading too much. Many different types are available which are used and loved in kitchens around the world.

Each of the herbs listed are edible and provide beautiful calming aromas, combine these with rustling grasses of varying heights to add sound, or vibrant perennials and you have covered all of the senses.

Sensory garden ideas using WoodBlocX

Many of our customers use our raised beds, garden furniture and ponds to create sensory spaces at home. Our structures are quick and fun to build - see how here, you can even get the kids helping with building (supervision needed) and once built the natural rough sawn wood provides sensory experience in itself thanks to its texture.

Raised beds can be built at any height and in any shape to suit your garden. Water features can be easily added, just talk to our designers via our Free Design Service and they will advise on  how best to incorporate one into your design, or you could create a raised pond to create a dedicated water feature or relaxing zen space.

Adding seating is an essential part of any garden, and for a sensory garden it can be enhanced by adding planters to create planter benches, this way you can sit amongst the plants, listen to sounds and experience the beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies that visit the plants.

Here are a few additional accessories that you could consider adding to you garden to enhance its sensory experience:

• Wind chimes - metal, wood or even seashell wind chimes will create calming sounds
• Mirrors - add mirrors to walls and fences to increase light and reflections
• Windmills - place these in amongst the plants to catch light breezes
• Water features - the sound of water can be calming and therapeutic
• Colourful touches - paint fence panels, add colourful tiles or paint plant pots for a vibrant burst of colour

Sensory garden gallery

Sensory garden ideas for schools

Gardening is increasingly being used in schools to learn and to improve the physical health and wellbeing of pupils. Using WoodBlocX can not only help to create the ultimate sensory garden but thanks to the lightweight nature of our wooden components, students can also get involved in building the structures too, giving them a great sense of achievement.

Many schools use our kits and bespoke services to enhance playgrounds and create sensory and vegetable gardens. Read our blog for ideas and inspiration on how to create a vegetable garden at school.

WoodBlocX kits for school sensory gardens

Large L-Shaped Raised Bed with Seating

Large Circular Raised Bed

Large Octagonal Multi Level Raised Bed

Triple Planter Bench Seat for Kids

Planter benches are a popular choice for schools as the seating can be used for outdoor lessons or as a place to relax and enjoy being around nature at lunchtimes. Circular raised beds are great for adding a natural shape to sensory gardens, and multi-level options allow multiple children of different heights to access the planters.

Sensory garden ideas for people with disabilities

Our raised beds and planters are idea for creating an accessible garden, simply choose one of our many accessible raised beds or planter and seating combinations or one of our specially designed shapes that allow wheelchair users to access the heart of the growing space.

Gardens and gardening can play a vital role in rehabilitation and therapy and can therefore provide a sanctuary for people with a range of disabilities including wheelchair users. From potting, planting, growing and tending to spending time in a calm and natural space.

Read our blog on creating a wheelchair accessible garden.

Raised bed designs for people with disabilities

H-Shaped Wooden Planter

Large U-Shaped Planter

Bestselling Raised Beds

Wheelchair Accessible Raised Bed

The H-Shaped Wooden Planter and U-Shaped Raised Beds provide wheelchair users with an internal space to allow them to reach all areas of the raised bed, giving them the freedom to carry out sowing, planting, tending and watering comfortably.

Our bestselling standard raised beds can be rectangular, square, circular, L-shapes, octagons and even circles. Use our Raised Bed Calculator to select a shape and size to suit you or use of Free Design Service for bespoke shapes.

The Wheelchair Accessible Raised Bed is a great option to use as a potting bench that can also be planted with sensory plants to create a great focused space.

Thanks to our customers, we have a huge range of examples of front garden ideas using WoodBlocX. Front gardens are often the overlooked part of a property, driveways can make it awkward to create something that is both functional and attractive, and small spaces can be tricky to work with. Our clever modular system makes it easy to update your front garden to create a beautiful entrance to your property.

Why choose WoodBlocX for a front garden update?

Our modular timber kits are easy to build (watch our video here) and can be used to create planters, raised borders, garden walls and even steps! We also offer a Free Design Service for those tricky front garden spaces.

All WoodBlocX structures are made from durable and maintenance-free timber blocks which can be built on any surface making them perfect for tarmac, concrete or paved driveways. For gravelled front gardens all you need to do is remove gravel from the area and make sure the surface is flat before building your design.

Small front garden ideas

Whilst front gardens can come in all shapes and sizes, most tend to be on the small side and it can be tricky to come up with functional yet attractive small front garden ideas. However, here are some great examples of the different uses of WoodBlocX including raised planters and retaining garden walls.

The two examples include a new build front garden which uses low raised beds to create an attractive and welcoming entrance and a small front garden which has been landscaped using a low retaining wall and step with a connecting raised border.

WoodBlocX kit ideas for small front gardens

Hexagonal Raised Bed

Retaining Wall

Small Raised Bed

Small Cubic Planter

Sometimes, it's the most simple designs that work the best! Our bestselling rectangular raised beds can provide a low-maintenance planting option, or a quick-to-build tiered raised bed can make a big difference without being too costly.

Front garden border ideas

Our bestselling raised beds and borders are perfect for adding some much-needed kerb appeal to a dull front garden space. Choose any shape or size to suit the space you have available or try our Free Design Service for something bespoke.

Medium Raised Planter

Multi-Level Flower Bed

Long Raised Bed

Stepped L-Shaped Corner Planter

Driveway ideas

Driveways often get overlooked as part of a garden, but there are ways you can soften the design and add a touch of nature to gravel, tarmac or even paved areas.

The easiest way to add some greenery is to use a raised bed to border the space. Our raised beds can be designed to suit your driveway, so if you wanted a curved design, L shape, or something with different heights, use our Free Design Service.

For this design, our customer wanted to section off the paved driveway and make the front door entrance feel more private. Laurel hedging, which is fast growing, has helped to make an attractive green border between the house and car parking area.

For this design, our customer added some greenery to their paved driveway with rectangle and L-shaped raised beds. Painted grey, they look fantastic against the modern style of the house. Did you know? WoodBlocX can be painted with outdoor water-based wood paint!

WoodBlocX kit ideas for grassless front gardens

Circular Raised Bed

Octagonal Raised Planter

Small things can make a BIG difference and this is certainly the case for the latest update to one of the key WoodBlocX components used to make our raised beds, walls and steps, raised ponds and garden furniture.

We now supply pre-cut final layer dowels to fit perfectly under your WoodBlocX capping layer. This means there is absolutely no cutting needed when building your WoodBlocX design.

Previously we advised customers to use our dowel cutter or a hand saw to cut the final layer of dowels to length to fit under the pre-drilled capping layer but not anymore!

From November 2023, our NEW pre-cut final layer dowels will be included with every WoodBlocX order - you will find them packaged in GREEN BAGS with a sticker. Standard dowels for the rest of your design, will be supplied in CLEAR PLASTIC BAGS.

How to use our final layer dowels

• Follow the layer-by-layer instructions to build your structure up to the final layer before the capping using our standard WoodBlocX dowels
• Place the liner inside the structure and over the edges
• To fix the liner in place, match the new pre-cut final layer dowels up to the liner and place the green dowel protector over the dowels and knock them into the hole with a lump hammer. They should easily pierce the liner. If it doesn’t, make a small incision with a Stanley knife where the dowel needs to go and knock your dowels through.
• Place the angle plates provided over the dowels on each corner
• Add the capping and trim any remaining liner

View or download our how to install a protective liner instructions

Our NEW final layer dowels will reduce the amount of time it takes to build with WoodBlocX and further reduce waste. To see how easy it is to build with WoodBlocX watch our how to build video.

Build your ideal garden with WoodBlocX

Not only is building with WoodBlocX easy, finding exactly what you need is too! You can design your own raised bed, retaining garden wall or raised pond using our calculator tools - we also have a huge range of pre-designed kits including garden furniture. For bespoke designs try our Free Design Service.

Raised Beds

Design your own
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Walls & Steps

Design your own
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Raised Ponds

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Garden Furniture

Buy a planter bench

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Terrain

Ideally a flat surface or a slightly sloped surface is the best option for wheelchair users. If your space currently includes steps or is steep you will need to consider ways to make it easier by landscaping or adding ramps.

Pathways

Surfaces need to be flat or smooth and sturdy - loose paving can be extremely dangerous to all users of the space. Steps can be replaced with ramps with a low gradient. Grass isn’t ideal especially if you wish to access the space all year round. For paving, a flat rather than textured surface would work best to avoid wheels getting stuck.

The width of pathways and ramps is very important, measure the width of the wheelchair and add extra space either side. You could consider adding a handrail too and some lighting to the sides of the path or ramp too for evening garden visits.

Raised bed height for wheelchair users

When it comes to planning a raised bed garden or a single raised bed for a wheelchair or mobility scooter user, it is important to check the dimensions of as sizes may vary. Typically adult wheelchairs are around 36 inches tall, 25 inches wide and 32 inches in depth.

All of our raised bed designs can be reworked to suit the sizes you need, so if you need the height lowering for a child or the width of an opening increasing for a mobility scooter we can do that for you as part of our Free Design Service.

Water

Do you have a water source close to your planned wheelchair friendly garden? Having a waterbutt that can be accessed from a wheelchair or an outdoor tap will enable the user to independently manage gardening tasks.

Accessible raised bed designs

Using WoodBlocX for wheelchair-accessible raised beds is a great option! Our modular system is easy to build (watch the video), with no nails, screws or waste. The wooden blocks are are long-lasting and durable with strong dowels that kept your structure together.

H-shaped raised bed

This H-Shaped Raised Bed design is a great option for wheelchair users. The unique H-shape means the wheelchair can get in and amongst the garden, the slim planting areas mean that everything can be accessed without stretching. So you can sow, weed, water and tend to plants very easily.

This design can be customised to provide extra space for the wheelchair or wider planting areas. The pre-designed kit is based on standard wheelchair dimensions, so if you need something a little bit different just get in touch and we will be happy to create a new design just for you.

Pictured below - Lacey's H-shaped accessible raised bed in her new sensory garden

Accessible garden work-stations

With a wheelchair opening below a potting area, this multifunctional design provides a handy work station for sowing and potting plants and a reachable area for growing. This design can also be customised, like the one we designed for a school with three wheelchair openings to allow multiple students to access the planter. More designs are shown below!

U-shaped raised bed

Our U-shaped raised bed is similar to our H-shaped raised bed, giving the user access from the centre of the raised bed to the entire planting area. This design can also be customised to you, the centre space can be widened and so can the planting space.

Planters with seating

For those with limited mobility, a WoodBlocX planter with seating is a great option allowing the user to take a break and sit amongst the plants. We have a number of different seating and planter combinations which can all be designed to fit your garden space.

Accessible garden borders

Many of our customers, of all abilities, choose to raise their garden borders allowing them to access their otherwise ground-level beds with ease. These can be full surround designs or single raised beds. To ensure the borders can be accessed with ease, we would suggest adding paving around the edges which is wide enough for a wheelchair or mobility scooter to use.

To tailor your design to your garden, please try our Free Design Service.

Tall raised beds

Tall raised beds are an excellent option for wheelchair users or just for better accessibility. For standard raised bed designs (rectangles, squares, circles, L-shapes and octagons), use our handy raised bed price calculator and add your own sizes.

L-shaped fire pit bench

This large fire pit bench design features a tall backrest which borders the neighbouring garden and slightly shorter backrest along the back of the garden. Two bookend style planters at seating level and two larger planters included in the backrest provide plenty of space to add even more height using plants and shrubs. The generous seating and paved floor makes the perfect spot for entertaining and lighting a fire pit.

Created using our Free Design Service

Fire pit seat with log storage

This compact design includes two areas for planting, plenty of seating and space below the seating to store logs. It also takes up a relatively small footprint in the garden. This fire pit bench was created using our Free Design Service using the measurements the customer specified for the space.

Curved fire pit bench

Not all of our designs include space for planting. This curved bench design simply features a backrest and seating. The backrest features our contemporary capping which finishes flush with the rest of the blocks and is great for creating a more modern/minimal finish.

Created using our Free Design Service

Multifunctional fire pit bench

This design features large planters, a pond and seating, bringing lots of elements together to create a mini garden. it is perfect if you're short on space or if you have an area in the garden that needs an update.

Created using our Free Design Service

Curved fire pit bench with planters

This circular design was one of our first fire pit designs. The curved design not only makes an attractive centrepiece, but it also makes a great shape for entertaining, bringing guests closer together. This design also features large planters and has been finished with beautiful natural flagstones, which can be sourced separately.

Cosy fire pit bench

Our fire pit seating can be any shape or size you like. This design brings the seating closer together thanks to the U-shaped design. Combining seating with square and L-shaped planters, this customer has completed the look by adding custom cushions.

Created using our Free Design Service

Fire pit seating for awkward spaces

Awkward spaces are no problem for WoodBlocX! We can help you to transform an awkward space into something functional and beautiful. This fire pit corner in this new build garden is a great example. Often new build properties can have extra spaces within the gardens that tail off from the main garden, providing the owners with extra space. In this case the customer wanted to create a DIY fire pit area as part of a wider garden design. We designed benches that follow the contours of the fence to create the perfect fire pit spot.

Created using our Free Design Service

Slim fire pit bench

Fire pit seating can be small and intimate, like this design, you may want to keep it small and add additional chairs and seats if needed. This slim L-shaped planter seat, includes enough space for 3-4 people (or 3 and a dog!) comfortably and includes space for plants.

Created using our Free Design Service

Retaining wall fire pit area

We've included many examples of fire pit seating and planter seats, but this retaining wall and seat are a little bit different. Both the seat and wall serve an important function which is to retain the raised area beyond the lawn. This customer has included an integrated seat which will be perfect for fire pits and sitting and enjoying the garden.

Created using our Free Design Service

Large planter fire pit bench

The large L-shaped bed with seating is a very popular design amongst our customers, it provides plenty of seating and an excellent amount of space for planting. It can fit comfortably into a corner or be used to break up a larger space.

Tiered fire pit seat

Tiering is made super simple using WoodBlocX, it is ideal if you want to create a different look for your garden, or if you plan on adding plants of different heights. This design features a bench and a U-shaped sequence of planters. Creating different combinations and shapes with planters can be done very easily thanks to the modular nature of WoodBlocX. Just use our Free Design Service and we will create a bespoke design just for you.

Sunken fire pit

If your garden is on a slope a great way to maximise the space and retain a section of earth is to add a WoodBlocX structure. Equally if you want to make a BIG impact you can create your own sunken fire pit area by digging into the ground. This customer has used one part of their fire pit bench to retain the slope, whilst adding the rest of the structure to the space beyond that. This design works really well and also makes a really attractive landscape feature within the garden.

This design was created by combining these WoodBlocX kits:

2 x Contemporary Planter Benches
L-shaped raised bed
Small Wooden Cubic Planter
Standard Bench

If you have ever wondered how to build a mortarless retaining wall then you have most definitely come to the right place. The modular nature of WoodBlocX makes it possible as our wooden blocks are designed to offer the same retaining strength as brick or stone retaining walls. 

In this blog we’re going to explain exactly how WoodBlocX works and how you can reduce material and labour costs by using our timber BlocX system to build a mortar-free retaining wall.

Interlocking retaining wall blocks

WoodBlocX is a unique system comprising of a series of timber blocks, similar to bricks, which are pinned together by a series of strong dowels and can be built up layer-by-layer to create strong and long-lasting retaining walls.

WoodBlocX can also be used to create beautiful raised beds, ponds and garden seating. Our wooden BlocX are pre-cut and pre-drilled and then pressure treated to last up to 15 years.

When built to our recommended guidelines, our modular block retaining walls are strong under pressure and compression and will stand up to frost and ground movement. Each WoodBlocX dowel can withstand 0.9 tonnes of sheer force which means that your structure won’t distort or crack under pressure.

Designing a retaining wall

Adding retaining walls is a great choice for landscaping a garden. In most cases they’re an essential part of a design, however, it can be tricky and also a little daunting when planning to add a wall or working out how best to replace an existing one.

Our Free Design Service has helped 1000s of customers over the past 10 years ensure they get exactly what they need for their retaining walls. We use customer’s measurements and ideas to not only produce accurate and detailed 3D plans but to also provide additional design ideas for making their retaining wall design the best it can be - whether it’s adding decorative tiers, adding some seating or building in a set of garden steps, our design team has got you covered.

WoodBlocX mortarless walls can be built at a max height of 1.05m for safety. If a higher retaining wall is needed, we can step your retaining wall design by using a series of tiers/layers.

How to build a mortarless retaining wall

We’re already mentioned that using WoodBlocX for a retaining wall will cut out waste and reduce labour costs - now we’re going to explain how!

Our DIY interlocking retaining wall blocks can be used by anyone, no specialist building skills are needed. We provide step-by-step building instructions with every order and all the support you could need to get your project off the ground. 

Preparing the ground

The same rules apply to building any WoodBlocX structure; start with a flat surface (this is very important!). This may involve some digging to ensure that you are laying your first layer of BlocX on an even and flat surface -  use a spirit level and some compacted building sand or small gravel to get the most accurate starting point. If your structure includes buttresses and you are building a wall against a raised area of earth, you will need to dig out the space for these supports (watch a demo video).

No significant foundations or groundworks are required for building a WoodBlocX retaining wall and our walls include buttresses which tie the structure into the area that needs retaining.

If you’re building directly onto soil or grass we include ground spikes - these strong metal rods are fixed into the base layer of blocks, the combination of buttress and ground spikes is proven to fix our retaining walls in place. If you’re building directly onto concrete or paving we include angle floor brackets which need to be screwed into the surface you are building on. 

Building your mortarless structure

Once the first layer of BlocX is laid onto level ground, just build the structure up following the step-by-step instructions provided with your order - this guide will show you exactly where the dowels need to be placed at each layer. Your building kit will also include a set of steel angle plates, the instructions will show you exactly where and when to add them, these support the dowels in tying the retaining wall together and will be placed between the facade of the retaining wall, between buttresses and under the top layer capping.

Please note that if you are building steps, seats or tiers into your retaining wall the process of building will be slightly different but all of the principles are the same. We’re here to help you if you have any questions.

Not a drop of mortar needed!

Once the wall has been built up it is finished with a capping layer of your choice; either our popular traditional capping which features a slight overhang or our contemporary capping which finishes flush with the structure.

To install your capping, your top layer of dowels will need to be cut down by 3 notches. Our WoodBlocX modular system is a fantastic alternative to traditional retaining walls made from bricks and mortar and best of all, it’s great fun to build!

Why choose WoodBlocX for your retaining wall

• FREE retaining wall design service
• Build yourself - reduced labour costs
• No significant groundworks needed
• No cutting, mixing mortar or waste
• Easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions
• Support from our friendly team

WoodBlocX mortarless retaining wall designs

The beauty of creating modular block retaining walls using WoodBlocX is that the design possibilities are endless! We can help you design a bespoke structure that works perfectly for your garden. Whether you’re looking for a straight wall or a curved retaining wall or even a wall with integrated seating our Free Design Service ensures that will get exactly what you need.

Take a look at some of our customers’ retaining wall designs.

View more customer gardens.

For more than 10 years we have been creating bespoke garden planters for our customers all across the UK, and when we say bespoke we really mean it! We can even create designs for commercial spaces too.

Thanks to the modular nature of WoodBlocX we can create custom wooden planters that fit your space perfectly. From something small and simple for a tight space to elaborate designs that are totally unique to you and your garden.

Custom planters made easy!

Option 1

Try our easy to use our raised bed calculator, choose the shape you would like and then select the measurements, once you have done this you will get an instant price for your wooden planter! We offer FREE 3-4 delivery for all UK mainland orders.  

Option 2

The second option is to use our Free Design Service, all we need is a few simple measurements to get started. Our aim is to ensure you get the best possible solution for your garden and our bespoke design service is completely FREE with unlimited revisions until you are 100% happy with your design!

Add your own measurements

Use our Free Design Service

Recent bespoke planter projects....

About our Free Design Service

If you need something more than a standard planter design our Free Design Service is available to all customers. Our team of skilled designers are on hand to help every step of the way.

Once we have your measurements and ideas, we get to work on creating a personalised design pack which will include a number of ideas based on your request. We can provide your bespoke design pack within 72 hours and once you've received it you can tell us what elements you would like us to change or add.

The modular nature of WoodBlocX provides endless design possibilities, so your bespoke wooden planters can include different tiers, seating, space for a pond or a combination of all of those things. We have created and continue to create some really unique and interesting designs for our customers. We even have two different capping options so you can choose a finish that suits the style of your garden.

Traditional capping

Contemporary capping

Every customer receives a 3D Design Pack

Strong, durable and long-lasting

We use high-quality FSC-certified wood, each timber block is pre-drilled and then treated so the treatment penetrates 100% off the wood. Plus, the way in which our structures are built, using strong dowels, protects against movement and cracking from frost which means WoodBlocX structures are built to last 15 years or more!

Everything needed to build is supplied

Being a modular product means that all of our wooden blocks are cut to size so you don't need to do any measuring of wood or sawing, everything you need is supplied. We've got your next weekend DIY project sorted!

Easy to build

Every single WoodBlocX kit is supplied with a set of step-by-step building instructions that are unique to that kit. You don't need any technical skills to build with WoodBlocX, anyone can do it! Plus all of the parts are lightweight making them easy to carrying and build with.

All of the best things get better with age including WoodBlocX! A key characteristic of our raised beds, retaining walls, steps, raised ponds and garden furniture is that the wood fades to a beautiful silver/grey colour over time.

WoodBlocX fades to a silvery/grey over time

The fading doesn’t affect the quality of the wood. Your WoodBlocX structure will last up to 15 years without any annual maintenance (you must install a liner to create a barrier between soil and wood).

We only use slow-grown sustainable Scottish pine (not from the heart of the tree which tends to be weaker). All of our wood is locally sourced and rough-sawn to give it a beautiful natural texture. WoodBlocX is pressure-treated using a water-based preservative which penetrates almost 100% of the wood. This means our products are ideal for organic gardeners or anyone who prefers to steer clear of chemical-based products.

Completed back in 2013, this customer's garden is still looking just as beautiful today as did when it was built nearly 10 years ago! Overtime, WoodBlocX timber fades from golden brown to a silvery grey.

One of our customers installed their original L-shaped raised bed more than eight years ago and ordered a brand new large raised bed and multi-tiered raised bed to border the garden. You can see from the photos the silver colour of older WoodBlocX versus the golden brown colour of fresh WoodBlocX.

Colour changes

WoodBlocX timber will go through several different colour stages during its lifetime.

Upon delivery it may be slightly damp (not so much so during the warmer weather) with a slight green tinge - don't worry, this is completely normal! This is because all of the wood has been treated before leaving our sawmill in the Scottish Highlands. This colour will fade in a couple of weeks after exposure to sunlight, turning your BlocX a lovely golden brown that you see in our marketing photos.

Painting WoodBlocX

There is no annual treatment needed but if you would like to add a splash of colour to the garden, WoodBlocX structures can be painted with any good quality exterior water-based wood paint. We recommend brands such as Cuprinol, Ronseal or Sadolin.

Originally created to help grow healthy crops in dry climates, the keyhole gardening method is fast becoming a popular way to grow crops, using minimal space and less water, in your own back garden. Using raised beds that resemble keyholes, the method allows for a sustainable approach to waste management and food production.

If you are looking to build a keyhole raised bed, we’ve designed a WoodBlocX keyhole kit that’s the perfect gardening solution!

What is keyhole gardening?

A traditional keyhole garden is a raised circular garden bed with a wedge-shaped cutout along one side that gives easy-access to a compost area in the middle and growing areas on all sides. This central composting section works as a self-fertilising element for the plants, keeping the soil naturally replenished.

The soil used to create keyhole raised gardens is specially layered (with drainage) to boost its ability to maintain moisture and nourishment, giving crops the best chance to grow healthy and strong.

The composting basket at the centre of keyhole raised beds is used for watering the crops, keeping the soil wet from deep within the bed. This method of watering directly through the middle gives nutrients to the plants on a regular basis. Organic food leftovers and paper goods that might otherwise end up in the general rubbish are recycled, helping to reduce waste too. It’s important to remember that keyhole gardens were originally created for hot, dry areas - this means they retain water better so don’t need to be watered as frequently as other raised bed types.

Keyhole gardens are one of several creative adaptations being used to counteract climate change and improve environmental sustainability. Originating in Africa, the keyhole gardening method has gained popularity in other hot, dry climates around the world such as Texas and Samoa. Keyhole garden raised beds are also a popular growing method in many European countries such as Germany and France due to their functional design and ability to reduce water consumption.

What can you grow in a keyhole raised bed?

Keyhole raised beds create the ideal environment to grow a wide variety of crops and the shape of the raised bed allows crops to be sown close together to maximise yield. Leafy greens and root veggies such as carrots and onions love this method of gardening. Stay away from planting crops with wide-reaching root systems such as tomatoes or courgettes.

Our handy list details the perfect crops to grow and those which aren’t recommended.

Because of the high raised bed style that allows access to the centre, they are less strenuous on the back too - this clever design feature also allows you to get hands-on across all areas of the bed, leaving no space where you can’t reach or sow. This makes keyhole raised beds a whole lot more accessible to the elderly and children or those with mobility challenges to plant, tend, and harvest in their own gardens. The raised bed design also removes the threat of animals, pets and humans trampling on the crops!

Keyhole raised bed tips

• Mulching - add a two-inch layer of dried leaves or shredded bark around the base of the plants. This is called ‘mulching’ and it helps keep the moisture in the soil from evaporating.
• Raised bed location - look for an area that's relatively flat. Avoid low-lying areas where water collects naturally. Ensure the area receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Creating composting - it's the ultimate recycling process: use dry leaves, grass clippings, and leftover organic waste (do not compost meat) to get your central compost mound started! Add a little water to speed up the decomposing process. Remember to slope the surrounding soil down away from the central compost cage to help nutrients flow all the way to the outside edges of the bed.
• Keyhole watering - water your keyhole garden in the centre, directly in the compost cage or mound. This watering method will filter down through the compost and then seep forth, bringing nutrients to the soil from the bottom up!
• Maintenance - once every three to four years, it's recommended to clean out the compost cage to remove depleted compost and start a fresh compost cage. You could also give your raised bed frame a jet-wash to make it look fresh.

Read our Keyhole Raised Bed customer case study

This is an excellent example of a WoodBlocX keyhole raised bed for growing edibles in our customer Bruno's garden.

Get started with a WoodBlocX keyhole raised bed kit

Due to growing interest through our Free Design Service from customers across the UK and Europe, we’ve designed a keyhole raised bed kit that you can buy ‘off-the-shelf’ to be delivered to your home.

Built to last 15+ years when installed following our guidelines, it’s a great solution for creating an accessible gardening area at home. Our clever wooden block and dowel system creates a durable structure that’s quick and simple to build (much like Lego!). The wooden components included in your kit are all pre-cut so there’s no need for extra cutting or material waste created.

Our keyhole raised bed kit is beautiful and practical, giving you extra height and adding shape and structure to your outdoor space. All you need to do is install a central composting area to start keyhole gardening! If you need a bespoke kit size for your garden area, we can make a made-to-measure solution to fit your space perfectly.

We’ve compiled out top 20 raised planter box ideas for your garden. Using our unique modular timber system to build raised planter boxes is quick and easy, just choose a size from our pre-designed planter kits or input your own measurements into our handy raised bed calculator to get an instant price.

WoodBlocX planters are a great DIY solution that can be placed on any surface; patios, driveways, lawns or directly onto soil. Small boxes can be built in just a couple of hours and will add an instant stylish update to your garden. The long-lasting structures are guaranteed for 15 years and make a great alternative to plastic, stone/terracotta and metal planter boxes.

Every WoodBlocX kit contains everything you need to build, there’s no waste and no specialist skills needed - just follow the step-by-step instructions and build your raised planter with ease. To see how easy it is to build with WoodBlocX watch our helpful videos.

1. Long box planter

Place under a windowsill close to your backdoor to create an easy access pick-to-eat herb garden. Long box planters are perfect for narrow spaces and balconies, stretching your planting space further.

2. Planter box with trellis

Grow your favourite climbing plants such as clematis, sweet peas, climbing roses or create a micro veg garden for runner beans, and peas using a planter box with a trellis added. Either attach the trellis to the wall behind the raised bed or secure it to the planter box.

3. Herb planter box

If you’re looking to create a specific space to grow herbs, a herb planter box will keep your fragrant selection in one easy-access growing space. Our designs include a Little Herb Garden, a Narrow Herb Garden and a Tiered Herb Garden planter.

4. Garden planter box

Our wooden planters will help to brighten up any space! Our modern designs are made from natural wood and make a versatile option for housing and growing a selection of plants and shrubs (as well as fruit trees). Our website is packed with raised planter box ideas for gardens of all shapes and sizes.

5. Rectangular planter box

The classic rectangular planter box is a timeless classic, it will suit any garden style and any plant. You can choose any size or height using our Raised bed calculator tool.

6. Square planter box

Square planter boxes are ideal for small decorative trees and shrubs, display the box as a square or built at an angle to create a diamond shaped planter.

7. Vegetable planter box

WoodBlocX planters are the perfect partner for growing vegetables, the wood used is treated with a water-based preservative that is suitable for organic growing, so you can be assured that there will be no nasty chemicals leaching into your planter.

8. Corner planter box

Update a shady corner or add interest to a sunny one, a corner planter box will bring life to an awkward garden spot. The beauty of WoodBlocX is that we can create different angles to achieve different shapes in the garden.

9. Deck planter box

Forget using leftover pieces of wooden decking to make a planter that will not stand the test of time, using WoodBlocX will ensure it's built to last. Use our modular system to create a deck planter box to sit proudly on your wooden or composite decking.

10. Flower planter box

Bring some flower power to a patio, balcony or driveway. A flower planter box will add instant colour. Use a layered planting system which comprises of bulbs planted below and then flowers to ensure your planter box is blooming more often than not.

11. Tall planter box

Lifting the level of your planting in small spaces can help create an illusion of extra space as any overhanging foliage is up above the ground. Tall planters can also be used to create an interesting feature or an accessible planting area.

12. Narrow planter box

For small gardens and tight spaces a narrow planter box can work wonders and will make a great alternative to round planters which can take up unnecessary space. Choose a width and length that suits the space you have available.

13. Planter box with bench

You can truly maximise space in your garden using a planter bench, our modular system makes it really easy to combine seating and planting, from planter bench designs to raised beds with benches integrated, our Free Design Service makes creating integrated designs that fit your garden perfectly a breeze.

14. L-Shaped planter box

L-shaped planter boxes are a great solution for corners to ‘zone’ a space or to work with an awkward space. The shape will provide an interesting addition to your garden or patio area and provide plenty of space for planting.

15. Tiered planter box

Create a real feature in the garden with a tiered planter box. Adding different levels can be an easy way to add interest to your space. Using multi-level planting also maximises how much you can grow too!

16. Patio planter box

WoodBlocX planters can be built on any surface, grass, tarmac, concrete, soil and even patios, the structures make a great alternative to plastic, metal and terracotta pots, plus they’re maintenance free!

17. Tree planter box

Use a tree planter box to plant a new tree or shrub or surround an existing established tree in the garden. A WoodBlocX planter will make a brilliant frame to make the tree really stand out, plus there will be space to add some colourful plants at the tree’s base.

18. 2 meter planter box

Small enough to not take up too much space in the garden but big enough to create a small vegetable garden or beautiful flower bed, a 2m planter box can be built in less than a day and will make a brilliant addition to the garden.

19. Slimline planter box

Spaces big or small can benefit from slimline planters, rectangular planters work well against a wall or fence, adding a curve or even a seat can really help to maximise space, this curved corner border planter with seating is the ultimate compact design.

20. Giant planter boxes

When is a planter box not a planter box? When it’s a raised bed! Whatever you prefer to call them, giant planter boxes give you the space and the ease to grow an abundance of the things you like, whether it’s edibles, flowers, shrubs or trees, ours will provide strength and durability for many years to come.

In this blog we explain how to build a raised garden pond using WoodBlocX, quickly, easily and without the need for any specialist tools.

The beauty of using a raised pond is that you don’t have to dig a great big hole! By using a WoodBlocX you can create an above ground pond that can be built on any surface, even a patio, allowing you to incorporate water into your garden very easily. Our ponds are just as quick and easy to assemble as our raised beds. Choose from a pre-designed pond kit, use our pond calculator tool to design a pond that fits your garden space.

Create the perfect raised pond

We have two styles of raised ponds which are available in a range of different shapes and sizes:

Single Wall Pond

Max size 1.875 length x 1.875 width x 0.65 height.

These small ponds are ideal for small gardens or tight spaces and are a great way to incorporate water in your garden. Designs in this range, due to water pressure restrictions, have a max size of 1.875 length x 1.875 width x 0.65m height.

Double Wall Pond

Available in larger sizes however these ponds feature a surrounding planter for added strength.  

Our large pond designs are able to cope with much more pressure and can be built to any size up to 0.65m in height. Our double walled designs always feature a surrounding planter (minimum 0.375m on all sides) for extra support and stability.

Water Blades & Pond Liners

We don't supply water blades for your pond but we can adapt your WoodBlocX design to accommodate one. For ponds up to 1.875 length x 1.875 width x 0.65m height, we sell a PVC pond liner which can be added to your kit when you order. For larger ponds, we offer quotes for bespoke liners - please contact us for more information.

Building raised ponds on different surfaces

You will be prompted to select which surface you plan to build on before you purchase a WoodBlocX raised pond so that we can send you either ground spikes or angle floor brackets.

Soft ground

For raised ponds being built on grass or soil, we will supply a set of ground spikes which are added to the first layer of BlocX and secure the structure to the ground.

Hard ground

For hard ground types such as patios, concrete, tarmac and decking, we supply angle floor brackets. These are attached to the inside of the structure and to the hard surface and are drilled in place using a set of screws, anchoring the structure to the ground.

Here's how to build a garden pond using WoodBlocX...

1.

Your WoodBlocX delivery will look similar to this. Everything you need is included on the pallet. This includes wooden blocks, lengths of finishing capping, two sets of dowels colour coded - clear bags for the main structure and green bags for the capping layer, ground fixings (angle floor brackets or ground spikes) and a pond liner (if added to your kit / sold separately).

All wooden parts are cut exactly to the size so there’s no waste at the end of the build. A PDF copy of your layer-by-layer instructions will be attached to your order confirmation email, or you can buy a printed copy to be sent out with your order.

2.

When you have decided where your raised pond bed will sit in the garden, you will need to ensure the ground is level using a spirit level, once this is complete, carefully set out the first layer of WoodBlocX. Refer to the instructions to check where the angle floor plates or ground spikes need to be positioned.

3.

If you are building on soft ground, add the dowels to the first layer away from the spot where you plan to build. This will ensure the level ground doesn't become unlevel and then position the BlocX ready for the second layer. At this point you’ll also install ground spikes.

Our clever dowel system holds the structure together, simply knock these into the recess holes, make sure you refer to your instructions to ensure you’re putting them in the correct places - we provide full step by step instructions with every pond kit.

4.

When installing hard ground fixings (angle floor brackets), we recommend building the pond structure up by two layers, this will provide more stability to add the angle floor brackets and you can also easily move the structure, if needed, to get the perfect position before attaching it to the ground.

To attach the angle floor brackets, secure it to the structure first using one screw (in case you decide to reposition it), double check that you’re happy with the positioning and secure the first bracket to the ground. Repeat this step to secure all brackets. It’s important you use the correct drill bit to avoid any issues.

5.

Continue to build the structure up to the final layer of BlocX before the finishing capping layer is added. At this point, we recommend adding a liner underlay to protect the bottom of the liner - you can opt to add a pond fleece insert, underlay fabric, old carpet or even bubble wrap. You can also add this to the sides of the structure if desired.

6.

Now it's time to add the pond liner. Carefully unfold the liner sheet over the structure and gently tuck it into the corners. The best way to get a really good fit is to start filling the pond with water, this will help the liner to naturally fit itself within the walls of the structure. As the pond fills with water, make some neat folds at the corners to ensure a tidy finish when the final capping layer is added.

7.

Once you are happy with the corners of the liner, following your layer by layer instructions, make slight insertions into the liner over the dowel holes using a retractable knife. These only need to be small as the action of knocking the dowel into the hole will pierce the liner just enough to hold it in place. Add the final layer dowels to the last layer of WoodBlocX - these shorter dowels are used to attach the capping layer (they are packaged in green coloured bags).

8.

Install the angle corner plates provided at each corner - they are installed over the top of the final layer dowels. It’s now time to knock on the finishing capping. You will need to secure the capping using a lump hammer - some force may be required to close the gap between the liner and the capping layer. Use a spare piece of wood and place this on top of each length of capping to knock it in place, this will protect the capping from any damage.

9.

Once all capping is in place, use a sharp knife to cut the overhanging liner. You can do this by carefully following the underneath of the capping whilst pulling slightly on the liner.

10.

All that is left to do now, is to continue filling the pond and think about adding some plants and fish, or creating a natural water feature in your garden.

The benefits of raised garden ponds

Water in a garden has an enormous value to wildlife, bugs such as pond skaters and water boatmen live in the water, birds can drink and bathe in it, and amphibians such as frogs, toads and even newts will make a home there too. With this additional wildlife in residence, your plants will benefit too; the amphibians are great slug-eaters, and the increased insect diversity will attract other bugs that will feast on aphids and other plant pests. Plus, of course, all this life is fascinating to observe!

Best plants for garden ponds

All ponds benefit from a variety of plantings. Broadly they can be divided into three types – the oxygenators, the floating plants and the marginal plants. However you plant up your pond, always make sure you include some kind of ramp for creatures such as frogs and birds to get in and out of the water safely, otherwise they may drown.

Here are some good choices from each of the plant groups to really get your WoodBlocX pond off to a great start:

• Marginal plants. These are the plants that live at the water’s edge – and while they like their roots to be in permanently damp soil, their foliage and flowers are borne above the surface. Yellow flag irises (Iris pseudoacorus) and a variety of rushes and reeds will give a natural look. You’ll need to construct shelves around the edge of your pond (standing the pot on a brick is fine!) for the plants’ pots to sit on at the correct depth – check the label for this information.
• Floating (also known as aquatic) plants. Water lilies are the most popular of this group, and lovely to include. They are available in a range of colours, but Nymphaea odorata types will add fragrance as well as beautiful flowers.
• Oxygenators. These are essential to keep the water healthy, but can need reducing every year to prevent them taking over the pond. Most live submerged in the water. Good ones for smaller ponds include Hottonia palustris (water violet) which bears purple flowers on the water’s surface in spring and Eleocharis acicularis (water grass).

To really complete the look, some WoodBlocX ponds are designed with planters at the side of, but not part of, the pond – plant these up with a bog garden and you’ll have a beautiful, calming and wildlife-friendly pond in no time.

Whilst our website is full of garden landscaping ideas, this blog shows you how you can achieve brilliant garden updates in one day, over a weekend or a little bit longer. Each idea uses our innovative and easy to build modular system and shows you how it can be used to build beautiful raised garden beds, retaining walls, steps, ponds and garden furniture.

Quick garden update ideas

Each of these examples can be completed in no more than one day. In some cases you can complete them in as little as few hours. WoodBlocX structures can be built on any surface, all you need to do to prepare in make sure the ground is level wherever you plan to build.

Our wooden raised bed kits are available in all shapes and sizes or use our calculator tool to get an instant price using your own measurements.

WoodBlocX raised beds are quick and easy to build durable and long lasting, perfect for growing edibles or beautiful flowers and shrubs.

Most of our single-skinned ponds can be built in less than a day. Each is supplied with a liner so you can start to fill them as soon as they're built!

Our raised bed kits don't just stop at squares and rectangles...choose from circular and octagonal raised beds, L-shaped and corner planters, stepped and tiered designs.

Weekend garden project

Make a big impact on your garden in a just a weekend with a show-stopping garden seat, elevated borders, retaining walls and more. The joy of WoodBlocX is that you can make it fit your garden perfectly - you could raise your current garden borders to create a low maintenance garden, make a new area for planting within a difficult space in the garden or create bespoke garden furniture.

Switching old brick or sleeper walls and steps for a WoodBlocX retaining wall will give your garden is fuss-free. Alternatively adding walls and steps to landscape garden can make all the difference to the layout and look of the space.

Lift beds and borders to create a more manageable, low maintenance and accessible garden. All WoodBlocX structures require zero maintenance and are guaranteed for 15 years.

Create a show-stopping seating area for BBQ's, pizza ovens and fire pits. Style with gorgeous planting and colourful accessories and enjoy all year round.

Adding seating to a raised bed design or even a retaining wall is easily done using our modular system. We have plenty of options in our pre-designed garden furniture kits, or use our free bespoke design service to get something totally bespoke.

Raised beds don't alway have to be high, use them to create a decorative and functional space. Keep patios in check by increasing the height of your planting slightly, adding steps and tiers is no problem.

All of our designs are fully customisable. This raised bed is split into four sections with different heights, a long slim planter and even space for a water feature, the opportunities to make you raised bed personal are endless.

Full garden landscaping ideas

If you're planning on taking the plunge and updating your entire garden, these customer photos will show you how WoodBlocX can be used to totally transform a space. The modular nature of WoodBlocX means that it is really easy to create integrated designs that include retaining walls, raised planters, steps and garden seats. We recommend using our free design service for these projects and our team of experienced designers will guide you through the process and ensure you get exactly what you need for your garden.

Like what you've seen?

If our garden landscaping ideas have given you some inspiration for your next garden project here's some helpful links to find out..

How to build with WoodBlocX

How to use our free bespoke design service in three simple steps

Why WoodBlocX is a great choice for your garden

Our guide to Retaining Walls

If all gardens were flat they would be very boring! That’s not to say a flat garden is boring, but many of us have gardens with challenging terrains, slopes and sheer drops to contend with.

This is where garden retaining walls come into play, and there are many benefits of retaining walls; from simply serving the purpose of retaining an area of earth or to landscape a garden creating flat platforms and interesting focal points.

There are already many styles of retaining walls in the UK so there are lots of different options you can go for. Our modular system has proved very popular with customers looking for an alternative to brick, stone, gabions and railway sleeper retaining walls. Below we’ve provided a rundown of the materials you can use to build retaining walls in your garden and how the WoodBlocX™ retaining wall stacks up against them.

Brick and Stone

Brick and stone retaining walls are a common choice, but these materials can prove very expensive and need regular maintenance. You will need to include foundations to build on to create a stable structure. To build it yourself would really be a challenge, you need to ensure the bricks are laid straight and level and the mortar mix is correct. If you’re not experienced in bricklaying it is best to enlist the help of a skilled tradesperson. This can be costly and is another added expense you wouldn't get with a DIY product.

Gabions

Gabion retaining walls are made using gabion baskets and cages. They provide a more industrial look and are generally used for retaining earth where water is close by and for extremely high retaining walls. No foundations are needed with gabions, but you will need some heavy individual stones to fill the baskets which can be very hard if you are building by yourself.

Railway Sleepers

Railway sleeper retaining walls are popular and single lengths of railway sleepers can be used to build a wood retaining wall for the garden; but the individual pieces can be very large and heavy. To secure the lengths in place you will need reinforcing bars and a large drill bit to create the holes for the bars. The old treated sleepers contain harmful chemicals too, which can have an unpleasant odour and leach into the soil. New untreated versions are available, but they will become susceptible to rot after only a few years.

WoodBlocX™

WoodBlocX™ supplies wooden/timber retaining walls for the garden. The quick-to-build retaining walls offer a fantastic alternative to brick, stone, gabion and railway sleepers.

Our retaining walls are the natural and beautiful choice for landscaping your garden, and with everything you need supplied directly to your door there’s no need for foundations or substantial groundworks to build the walls. The BlocX™ themselves are light and easy to handle and building requires no heavy lifting. WoodBlocX™ use wood from sustainable sources and we only use a water-based preservative. You can rest assured that your new easy to build retaining wall is eco-friendly, and suitable for organic growing too.

WoodBlocX™ can help you with your next project with our free design service; either speak to our team of designers who will work with you to create something that is totally bespoke to your garden or use our new retaining wall calculator which will give you an instant price for the size of retaining wall that you need. We provide a full retaining wall building design guide and general instructions with all purchases.

For retaining wall ideas and design guides and to see how to build a garden retaining wall using WoodBlocX™, simply head over to the retaining wall section on the website or speak to one of our friendly customer service team on 0800 389 1420 if you have any questions. 

For more helpful garden tips and inspiration check out our blog page, and to find out more about our timber raised beds, planters, walls, garden furniture, ponds and more all made in Great Britain, head to our home page.

Our Small Garden Design Ideas guide aims to give you heaps of inspiration for your next garden project, whether you have a small garden, a patio, a courtyard or you have a small space within a larger garden, we will show you how you can use our modular system to totally transform your plot into a beautiful and functional space that suits you perfectly.

Raised beds for small gardens

Raised garden beds are perfect for creating low maintenance spaces. Our raised beds are different to others available in many ways, but the most interesting is that they are completely customisable. Build at a height to suit you, choose any shape or size. Being a modular system all pieces are lightweight and pre-cut so there's no heavy lifting, cutting or waste.

We have a free bespoke design service so even if you have an awkward space, we can create something that fits it perfectly.

Traditional raised beds
Rectangles and squares are the most popular shape for raised beds and we have covered almost every width, height and length variation possible.

Curves and angles
Add shape to your garden with circular and angular raised beds, whether a show-stopping focal point or you need to add angles to make your raised bed fit an awkward space.

Tall and slim
An extra tall and narrow raised bed will make a great feature if space it at a premium in your garden. These are perfect for bordering patio seating areas or small courtyard gardens.

Corners and tight spaces
Our corner and L-shaped raised beds can provide extra planting space in small areas. Different levels of planting can be added to our design easily to add height.

Small garden design ideas - ponds

You may think a pond could take up too much space when considering small garden design ideas. However, adding a water feature to a garden can completely change the dynamic of a space. Creating a calming atmosphere thanks to the sound of running water or creating a habitat for beneficial wildlife, even in small gardens. Our ponds for small gardens are built exactly the same as our other structures and customers have the option to add bespoke features such as areas for planting or water blades.

With all of our products customers can use our free design service to get their perfect pond.

Standard ponds
Our small ponds are available in either rectangle or square shapes and a variety of sizes to fit your garden perfectly.

Bespoke ponds
If you need something a little more than a standard rectangle or square pond, use of free design service.

Small garden design ideas - Garden furniture

Our modular system has transformed how our customers approach the space in their gardens, helping them to maximise space in a big way.

If you're in need of small garden design ideas, thinking about where you would like to sit and enjoy your garden is a great place to start. Adding our stand-alone seating or incorporating seating into raised beds, ponds and walls is just one of those ways. From a small additional bench at the end of a raised bed to a sunken seat that fits seamlessly into a retaining walls and tiered planters.

Garden furniture
From standard benches to garden seats with added planting, we have created some brilliant designs for small gardens.

Bespoke garden furniture
With all of our products you can opt to get something totally bespoke for your garden and seating is no exception.

Small garden design ideas - retaining walls

Replacing or adding a retaining wall to a small garden can give it a brand new lease of life. WoodBlocX retaining walls can be used to replace crumbling brick, stone or block walls without the need for foundations. Or, if your garden is sloped or on an incline, our walls can be used to landscape it.

We have pre-designed retaining wall kits and a calculator tool which allows you to add your own measurements. Alternatively use our free design service and we can work with you to create the perfect wall for your space.

Straight retaining walls

Bespoke retaining walls

Curved retaining walls

Angular retaining walls

To see how easy it is to build with WoodBlocX head to our YouTube channel.

We have created our own Garden Furniture Buyers Guide to help you make the right choice for your next garden furniture purchase. We have a wide range of styles plus a free bespoke design service which will enable you to get the perfect seating solution for your garden.

Our seats and garden furniture makes a great alternative to the metal, plastic and wood options that are widely available and this guide is designed to help you make the right choice for your garden and your lifestyle.

What should I consider before buying garden furniture?
Think about where in your garden you would like to use your furniture, is it going to be used on a patio, in the garden itself or does it need to form part of a wider landscape project? You also need to consider whether or not you would like to be able to store your furniture away or if you would like to make it a permanent feature in the garden, if your answer is the latter then WoodBlocX is your ideal solution.

Will my WoodBlocX garden furniture require regular maintenance?
WoodBlocX structures are maintenance free, all timber is pre-drilled and then treated so that the treatment penetrates 100% of the wood. No additional wood treatment is needed.

What should I do to prepare for my garden furniture?
WoodBlocX seats and benches can, like all WoodBlocX structures, be built on any surface - patios, grass, concrete, soil, tarmac etc. You will need to ensure that the surface is level and may therefore need to make some adjustments to the surface in order to achieve this.

Is it easy to build?
Our garden furniture is built in exactly the same way as all of our structures using our lightweight wooden blocks and fixed together with strong dowels. All customers receive a set of step by step instructions that are unique to their project. We also have a series of quick and easy to follow how-to-build videos which can be found HERE.

Do I need any special tools or materials to build it?
You will need a lump hammer and a spirit level for the main part of the build. For the preparation work levelling the ground you may need a shovel, rake, sharp sand and sub base depending on the surface that you plan to build on.

Should I add a liner to the planter sections?
Yes, we always recommend using a DPM liner for extra protection.

How long will it last?
As long as you follow our simple guidelines for building you structure you should get 20+ years, even more use out of it. For extra reassurance we guarantee all of our structures for 15 years.

How do I place an order for a bespoke garden furniture design?
Use our free bespoke design service or send us an email with your measurements and ideas, our design team will then work with you to create your perfect design.

What types of garden furniture are available?

Add a spark to your garden

This show stopping-curved seating and planter combination has been designed specifically to create a wrap-around for a fire pit or a BBQ. Bringing people together in a space that can be enjoyed all-year-round.

With planting options on two tiers, to use for colourful plants, decorative grasses or herbs that can be easily cultivated for outdoor cooking. The taller back planter also acts as a comfortable back rest.

Customers have full control over the seating and many opt for natural paving slabs, we can provide recommendations of products other customers have used.

Create the ultimate capsule garden

This L-shaped planter bench is perfect to add seating to corners of the garden that need enhancing or as a way to divide up a large space.

The large planter provides plenty of space for plants, the combination of planting and seating will create the perfect capsule garden. For a little something extra add a rockery or water feature.

We provide the wood for the seats but you could switch it up with different materials.

Pause for a moment

Add a little something extra to a standard bench or planter...planters with bench seating! With a deep seat and comfortable high backrest, this is a twist on our traditional bench design which will bring you a little closer nature once it is planted out with your favourite herbs or flowers.

With all of our designs this bench can be customised to suit you, wider planters, an additional seat, a concealed section under the seat - no problem! Just let us know what features you would like and we can create an updated design just for you.

More options in the bookend range

Take a seat

A classic wooden garden bench or garden table and bench set that will look beautiful anywhere including patios, porches, balconies, lawns even allotments, plus it fit perfectly into all styles of garden from modern minimalist to cottage gardens. The sturdy design ensures these structures will stand the test of time.

The garden bench can be built and in situ within an hour and will last for years and years.

Furniture that fits your garden and lifestyle perfectly

We know that one size doesn't fit all which is why we provide a free bespoke design service to all customers, whether you have a design ready to go but need us to configure it into WoodBlocX or you need us to come up with some ideas to transform you space we're here to help.

We have worked with 1000s of customers to create seating, planting and retaining wall solutions for their gardens.

This is your spring dose of garden ideas courtesy of our wonderful customers and their gorgeous gardens. So if shows like Your Garden Made Perfect has given you inspiration to tackle your garden terrace, boost your borders or pep up your plot then you have come to the right place. These ideas are sure to provide some helpful inspiration for your next project.

Add curves

The majority of our gardens are linear shapes, adding curves and organic shapes can really transform a space and make it feel bigger, use a curved wall to border a pathway, or curve the edges or a wall or raised bed to soften. We recommend using our Free Design Service for curved structures, our experienced team can use your measurements and ideas to create the perfect solution for your space, and more importantly, do all of the calculations!

Go bold

Adding a touch of extra colour to the garden can make a big difference. All of raised beds, retaining walls, seats and ponds can be painted with a good quality exterior wood paint. Last year many of our customers opted for different shades of grey, will grey be the go to colour for 2021? Lets wait and see!

Create a focal point

Some of the best garden design ideas feature a central space that draws the eye to., however, most popular place for planting is the edges of the garden. Raised beds make it easy to add a pop of colour and interest to different areas, breaking up open spaces. Our raised beds can be built on any surface which makes adding one to a lawn or patio quick and fuss free. Go for show-stopping shapes like circles or octagons or stand alone square or rectangular raised beds.

Zone your plot

Creating different zones in the garden can make a small garden feel bigger and a large garden feel more intimate. Mix up your space with L-shaped raised beds, slim planters, ponds or use our Free Bespoke Design Service to create something totally unique to your garden.

Mix up materials

Mixing up your garden with a combination of materials that complement each other will add texture and additional colour. We love use of natural wood, stone and brick in the garden. Our customers have successfully switched up our seating by adding natural stone paving to seating and it looks fantastic! 

Building joy

All of our structures are built in the same way, there's no waste, nor mess. You don't need any technical skills to build them, plus every kit comes with step-by-step instructions to guide you through every part of your build. To find out more about how to build a WoodBlocX structure click here or watch our videos over on YouTube.

We have made getting inspiration and costs for your next raised bed, pond or retaining wall project quick and easy.

Whether you know exactly what you want and just need to add your measurements or you need some help, guidance or inspiration, we have got you covered with our calculator tools and free bespoke design service.

Building with WoodBlocX is a little like building with Lego. Our kits contain everything you need to build your structure and a set of step by step instructions to guide you every step of the way. You can find out more about how to build and the benefits of using WoodBlocX here.

Raised bed inspiration

If you need inspiration for your next raised bed project you have come to the right place. Whether you're looking to grow edibles or flowers our wooden raised beds are ideal. The modular nature of our system means that we can create almost any shape from traditional rectangle and square planters to bespoke designs that feature curves and angles.

Pond inspiration

Whether you're keen to encourage more wildlife into your garden, would like to keep fish or want to create the ultimate zen garden, our kits are popular choices for ponds. Choose from single and double skin options.

Retaining wall inspiration

Landscape your garden with beautiful WoodBlocX walls. Our structures make a great alternative to railway sleeper and brick walls. They can retain earth up to 1.05m, there are no substantial groundworks needed and you can build them yourself and make significant savings on labour costs. Click here to find more about the benefits of using WoodBlocX for your next retaining wall project.

Our Free Bespoke Design Service

Create beautiful combinations of our structures that fit your garden and lifestyle perfectly, from raised beds with seating to multi-functional retaining walls and much more. We can help you bring your vision to life, suggesting solutions to make the most of the space you have available to create your dream garden. No fuss, no hassle, just great service from start to finish.

Designing an entire garden or even just a certain area can be a daunting prospect which is why we have made our free design service as quick and simple as possible, in just three simple steps.

Whether you’re a new homeowner, the owner of a new build home with a fresh plot to put your stamp on, or have an established garden that needs a new lease of life, our modular system can help you transform it into a beautiful and functional space.

In 2020 nearly a quarter of our customers used our bespoke design service for raised beds, planters, ponds, walls, steps, and seating to fit their garden space and lifestyles perfectly.

Get a design for your garden in three steps

Step one

Send us a sketch, some sizes of the space you're looking to update along with any ideas you have. Use our inspiration page or our social media to see what other customers have achieved using our versatile system. You could also send photos, screen-grabs from garden design apps or even a link to your pinterest board.

Step two

We will be back in touch with you within 48 hours with any questions. Once we have all of the information we will work on your design, this will be presented in a design pack which includes a 3D model of your structure along with the price.

Step three

Once we have discussed and made any changes to your design, we then add it to our website and send you a link. This allows you to select a preferred delivery date and make your payment. Alternatively this can be done over the phone.

Recent bespoke designs

Top garden design considerations

• Note down the areas that get sunlight at certain times of the day, this is important if you want to include a seating area of if you plan on growing certain types of sun nor shade loving plants or you plan to grow edibles
• Are you overlooked by other properties and do you have any views you would like to maximise?
• Think about what you would like to grow and how much you are able to realistically manage
• What elements you would like to include; grass/lawns, seating, walls, beds and borders, water features, paths, patios, steps etc?
• Do you want to encourage wildlife into the garden?
• What style do you want to achieve? Modern, rustic etc
• Use a garden design planning app such as Veg Plotter to sketch out your ideas

Free design service review

"Whatever you ask these guys to do, the answer is always yes and then they suggest more great ideas you hadn't even thought of. One of the best companies I have ever dealt with."

Click to read more reviews on our Free Design Service

If you have a project in mind or you’re just not sure of exactly what you need for your garden click here to start using our free design service 

We’re best-known for our rectangular raised beds, they're functional, attractive, durable, long lasting and easy to build - but what other raised bed shapes can you make with WoodBlocX?

The modular nature of our timber raised bed system means that switching up to circular, hexagonal or octagonal raised beds is really easy…this is not something that can be done easily with railway sleepers or wooden boards.

WoodBlocX raised beds are perfect for growing edibles, ornamentals and trees, and thanks to our water-based pressure treatment, they are suitable for organic growing and will last 15 years or more.

Rectangular raised beds

Raised beds date back to medieval times and rectangle and square shape have been a firm favourite of gardeners and growers ever since. You can find a huge selection of sizes and heights from narrow raised beds of varying lengths to wide planters in our pre-designed kits. We’ve also mixed it up to include raised beds with different height compartments too which you can also see here.

We offer a free design service to all customers, so if you have something specific in mind or can't find exactly what you need on the website, we can help.

Circles

Circular and curved raised beds, planters and edges are created using our standard WoodBlocX timber components cut at 7.5 degree angles. Circular raised beds make the perfect centrepiece for the garden and are ideal for a statement tree planted in the centre.

Use our raised bed calculator tool to get an instant price for a circular raised bed using your own measurements.

Curves

Using the same angled blocks as our circular raised beds you can use our timber system to add curves to the garden. If you haven’t got room for a centrepeice but still want to add a curve opt for a half circle raised bed shapes with a straight edge that buts up to a wall. There's loads of ideas for angled raised beds here.

Did you know you that you can use WoodBlocX to build retaining walls that are either, straight, curved or angled? Click here to find out more.

Angles

Lots of unusual shapes can be built using obtuse and acute 45 degree angle components which means we can also provide corner raised beds in various shapes including diamond, hexagonal, curves, octagonal and heart shaped raised beds. We can even add layers to these designs for anyone that wants to incorporate different levels of planting.

Our raised beds can be adapted to create larger continuous structures for the garden that can include all or a combination of retaining walls, steps and seating.

L-shapes

L-shaped raised beds are a great solution for untidy and uninspiring conrers of the garden but they needn’t be limited to just corners, L-shaped structures can add a creative touch in a freestanding area either individually or as part of an interesting layout of WoodBlocX raised beds.

All of our structures can be used for organic growing thanks to our water-based treatment.

Stepped and tiered

Stepped raised beds can be used for both flat and sloped gardens. Use them to add height and interest to a patio area, or to add different sections for planting or use them to landscape a sloping garden.

Lots of our customers opt to add steps to run alongside the raised beds that are used to landscape the garden to tie everything together.

Bespoke raised beds

The design flexibility that the WoodBlocX raised bed system offers means that we can create 1000s of different design combinations. We offer a free bespoke design service to all customers so you can get exactly what you need for your garden.

Use our super quick calculator tool on the website, select the shape and use the drop down menus to select the length, width and height to suit you.

Generating small garden ideas and finding products for small gardens that fit the space perfectly can be tricky. Our modular system can be designed to fit spaces of all sizes, the only limitation is your imagination.

Our designers have worked on raised bed, pond, seating and retaining wall designs for customers who need a functional solution to their space, to provide a place to relax, add plants and edibles or even water features.

Reasons why WoodBlocX is perfect for small gardens

Modular design
WoodBlocX is a modular system that is totally unique. Our designs are made up of a series of wooden BlocX which slot together to create beautiful structures, the design possibilities are endless, no matter what size garden you have.

All wood is pre-cut
Unlike railway sleepers, all of our wood is pre-cut so there's no cutting or measuring of wood. Plus if access is an issue to your garden, it is easy to transport the pieces through your property

Easy to build
Our customers love building with WoodBlocX, no foundations or special tools are needed to build, just make sure you begin with a flat surface and the rest is easy - similar to building with Lego, click here to see how to build with WoodBlocX.

Long-lasting and sustainable
Our wood is pre-drilled and then treated which prevents it from rotting, warping or cracking. It's guaranteed for 15 years but expected to last much longer. All of our wood is sourced from sustainable forests here in the UK and also manufactured in the UK.

Small garden ideas using WoodBlocX

If space is really tight we can always come up with solutions to make it work for you, planters with seating are a great way to maximise space without taking lots of floor space.

Tall planters create the illusion of space, due to their height they free up floor space. Plus if you keep with width to a minimum.

Make the most of corners, choose from single-height raised beds or add some tiers and cascading plants to really add some interest to your garden.

Our raised beds and planters are available all different sizes from long-slim raises beds, to small planters which make a great alternative to plastic and metal pots, to borders for existing flower beds.

Small garden ideas - Our top three WoodBlocX kits for small spaces

A contemporary and stylish feature for your patio or decking, the Small Cubic Garden Planter is an ideal way to introduce a touch of nature into your living space. This smaller design is suitable to showcase a variety of small shrubs, heathers and even some hostas who enjoy more shaded areas.

With its modest design the Slender Garden Planter is ideal for more narrow spaces or fence lines and provides a sleek foundation for a trellis feature for climbing plants.

Unlike a square or rectangular shaped planter the Hexagonal Garden Planter offers a modern alternative design that can feature as a centrepiece in your garden. This multi-sided design can also prove as an effective shape to fit into less conventional shaped garden spaces.

Free bespoke design service

Use our free bespoke design service to ensure your raised bed fits the space perfectly, we can also take into account any slopes. Just send us your measurements and we'll do the calculations for you, to find out more about the service click here.

New build gardens are often small and uninspiring, this garden design case study is full of ideas for transforming a blank canvas into something beautiful. Simon and his partner had lots of ideas for transforming their small new build garden. Their story is filled with ideas for small gardens and large ones.

Tell us briefly how the garden was before you began updating it...
As with most new builds, the house builder provided us with topsoil and slabs, nothing more. Our garden also had a gradient, sloping away from the house, which made the space mostly unusable.

What ideas did you have for transforming your small garden?
We wanted to create the ideal space for entertaining friends and family and give it a sense of purpose. We’re also keen gardeners, but sadly we don’t have much free time. With this in mind, we also wanted to create space for plants that would be easy to maintain.

How did you hear about WoodBlocX?
When we decided that we needed to level off the garden we started searching online for retaining walls. A few clicks later and we arrived at the WoodBlocX website.

Did you look into any alternative materials for the walls and seating?
We considered using reclaimed railway/timber sleepers but quickly decided it wasn’t an option worth pursuing. Using sleepers would have not only cost more due to the waste, but the effort that comes with having to lift, cut and attach them together was also off putting.