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
Shop kits

Walls & Steps

Design your own
Shop kits

Raised Ponds

Design your own
Shop kits

Garden Furniture

Buy a planter bench

Shop kits

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.

There are many different types of materials that can be used to build raised garden beds. From treated wooden blocks, to railway sleepers and bricks, each material can vary in cost and annual maintenance must be considered. Our customers tell us they spend time researching the options to find out which material is best suited for what they want to achieve in their garden. So what is the best material for making a raised bed?

To help you make the right choice for your next garden project, we’ve listed the different materials you could use and included approximate costs.

WoodBlocX offers a wide range of raised beds kits that look great and are easy to build. As an ideal railway sleeper alternative, WoodBlocX is an affordable raised bed solution. Why not use our Free Design Service to start your garden transformation project!

It's that time of year when things start to slow down in the garden, the weather is cooler too which makes it a great time to think about autumn garden updates.

Whether you're ready to have a good tidy up, plant new trees or hedges, start a veg patch, to make those changes you just didn't get round too during summer or just to take stock and re-evaluate your space, this blog is packed with ideas and tips to get you started.

Autumn tidy up

Update at your own pace

Maintenance 

Painting sheds and fences, cleaning greenhouse glass, trimming bushes, replacing rotten raised beds and repairing patios are all jobs that cannot wait until next spring.

Make a list of the jobs you need to do in your garden and tackle them starting with the most important. Keep your eyes peeled for special offers of paints and materials at DIY stores and garden centres.

What can I plant in autumn?

Best veg to plant in autumn

Don't let the cooler weather deter you from growing your own food, there's still lots of different crops that can be grown at this time of the year.

Our top five crops to sow and grow throughout autumn are:

• Spinach
• Winter salads
• Garlic
• Broad beans
• Onions and shallots

Winter salads are best sown and grown in a greenhouse and for broad beans, choose a sheltered spot in the garden, by a fence or wall to protect them from high winds.

Plants to sow and grow in autumn

Autumn is a brilliant time to add plants to the garden as the ground is still soft and warm which will give the roots time to establish over winter ready for spring. Here's a list of varieties you can plant in autumn.

• Spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, crocus and hyacinth
• Trees, shrubs and hedges
• Fruit trees
• Raspberry bushes
• Wildflower seeds
• Sowing or laying a new lawn

For more autumn planting tips head over to the RHS.

Inspiration for your autumn garden update using WoodBlocX

We've picked four functional design ideas that will make brilliant autumn garden updates using our modular system.

For anyone with a log burner, fire pit or chiminea log storage is vital, our benches make a great functional space-saving solution, just leave the bottom of the bench open and fill with logs.

Autumn is the perfect time to plant new trees and hedges. If you want to create a feature out of new or established tree our Tree Edging range is ideal, choose from a simple surround or add a bench.

Replacing old raised beds with WoodBlocX will provide years of maintenance free gardening and is a great alternative to railway sleepers or wooden boards.

Combine seating with planting, choose from curves or angles, add log storage - there are endless design possibilities using our modular system.

From Friday 27th August 2021 - Friday 19th November 2021 every order received via our Free Design Service will be entered into a prize draw to win a Fire Pit worth £350! Competition terms and conditions can be found at the bottom of the page.

Our Free Design Service aims to help customers to get the best possible result for their gardens using our raised beds, retaining walls, ponds, furniture, steps or a combination of any of those structures.

The Prize

Made from innovative Corten Steel, the Fire Pit Bowl will make a great addition to the garden. After a few days of putting it in your garden it will develop a protective, rust-like surface which protects it from further erosion. Thanks to this natural weathering, no two fire bowls are the same, making this a unique feature for your garden. Whether it's a party with friends or a dinner with family, having a warm, stylish and entertaining focal point.

How to get started

Tap your details into our quick and easy online form

What happens next?

One of our friendly design team will be in touch with any questions about your request. In 2-3 days you will receive a design pack by email featuring an overview of your design and the cost.

The pack will also include alternative designs to consider that could also work for your space. We can then discuss your design and make any changes needed until you are happy with your design.

Click the button below to see an example of our design packs.

Free Design Service/Fire Pit Prize Draw Terms and Conditions
There will be one Winner in total.
The Winner will be picked at random.
The Winner will be announced across the WoodBlocX social media channels and notified by email.
The prize is a Fire Pit up to the value of £350 inc delivery, we will endeavour to supply the style shown in the image directly above these Ts & Cs, however this may be subject to change depending on availability, any change to the prize will be discussed with the winner.
Once the winner has been in contact, the prize will be organised and sent directly to their delivery address.
The competition is open to residents aged 18 and over, in the UK only.
No cash alternatives available.

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.

WoodBlocX is ideal for building modular retaining walls, making it a great alternative to bricks, stone and railway sleepers. 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.

WoodBlocX modular retaining walls

Lets start with our versatile modular timber system. WoodBlocX retaining walls make a fantastic alternative to brick, stone, gabions and railway sleepers they are ideal for landscaping your garden and they can be built easily by you, without the need for concrete foundations, substantial groundworks or cutting lengths of wood.

Made from sustainably harvested Scots pine, the BlocX themselves are lightweight, easy to handle and building requires no heavy lifting. The structures are held together a series of strong dowels that fit into pre-drilled holes which have been pressure treated with our water-based preservative to ensure 100% off the wood is treated, making them extra strong, we even guarantee our structures for 15 years but they're expected to last around 30 years.

How much can they retain?
Each dowel can withstand a tension force of up to 0.9 tonnes. A single WoodBlocX modular garden wall can retain earth up to one metre (approx. 3”). For customers that require higher walls we recommend using a terrace design, which looks great and creates additional planting areas.

All of our structures are made to measure so there's cutting or waste during your build and we supply steps by step instructions and links to helpful videos ahead of your delivery to ensure you have everything you need for building. We provide step-by-step instructions for building all of our structures and you can find out how easy it is to build a WoodBlocX modular retaining wall click here.

Brick retaining walls

Brick retaining walls are a common choice, but these materials can prove expensive and need regular maintenance. You will need to include foundations to build on to create a stable structure. To build a wall yourself could prove to be challenging as 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. 

Gabion retaining walls

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 as they are super strong, you can buy them pre-filled or you can by the baskets and the stone separately, this option is generally cheaper but it is important to seek information about filling them correctly to ensure an even weight distribution.

Railway Sleeper retaining walls

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. You can read more about the pros and cons of using railway sleepers for retaining walls here <add the comparison blog>

How to make more out of your WoodBlocX retaining wall

We pride ourselves on offering a versatile system that adapts perfectly to your garden. A WoodBlocX retaining wall never has to be just a retaining wall! We can seamlessly integrate steps, seating and planting areas into the design.

Cost saving

What our customers have to say about WoodBlocX retaining walls

Head to Feefo to read more reviews of products and services

Lockdown gardening activities for kids: Build an insect house

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Sow seeds - what to plant in January and February

As far as lockdown garden activities go planting seeds should be one of them! There's loads of edibles that can be planted now and kept on a warm windowsill where children can keep an eye out for the seeds germinating. Chilli, aubergine, broad beans, lettuces, salad onions, spinach, cauliflower and many more vegetable and salad varieties can be sown in January and February. Sowing plants indoors now will ensure seedlings are ready to transplant into bigger pots or raised beds, vegetable plots of containers in the spring.

For flowers; plant sweet peas indoors or create a wildflower container that can be stored outdoors in a sheltered area or in a greenhouse. For loads of helpful advice on what vegetables and flowers to sow in January and February head to the RHS website.

Lockdown gardening activities for kids: Build a wooden raised garden bed

Build a raised bed out using a WoodBlocX easy to build do-it-yourself kit, which kids can help to build with a little supervision from an adult, or use any materials that are available, from wooden boards, to railway sleepers or even bricks.

Giving kids ownership of their own growing space also means they are more likely to be invested once the seeds you sow are transplanted in the spring. A raised bed can be a great way to do this, being raised off the ground also makes it easier for youngsters to reach.

Here's three quick-to-build raised beds that children will love.

Little Herb Garden

Corner Diamond Raised Bed

Octagonal Raised Planter

Wildlife spotting

It may not look like a hive of activity but our gardens are still full of life at this time of year. Go on a bug hunt and lift up rocks, look under bushes, on the underside of leaves and try and find and identify as many different creatures as possible.

The RSPB's Big Bird Watch runs from 29th - 31st January, download a spotters kit to see how many different birds visit your garden over those three days.

We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions from the last three months, with everything from pest control to watering. If you have a specific question feel free to get in touch via email - [email protected] or phone 0800 389 1420.

How do I create an accessible garden?

Raising the height of your garden beds and borders makes gardening instantly more accessible, but you also need to consider the layout of the rest of the garden. Paths and steps can prove troublesome, opt for wider paths if possible, especially between raised beds if you have more than one. Our wooden raised beds can be built at heights between 0.25m - 1.05m and each structure is strong and sturdy enough to sit or lean on.

Read our accessible gardening blog here.

Can I build raised beds on a slope?

Yes! Raised beds can be used to landscape a sloping garden by stepping the structures to follow the incline, this is where our free design service is priceless, we will do all the calculations and design specifications for you, simply tell us a little bit about the space you have, the size of the structures you would like and send a couple of photos so we can build a picture up of the space and we will work out exactly what is needed to landscape your hilly garden.

Click here to find out more about our Free Design Service.

How do I keep pests out of my raised bed?

If you have problems with rabbits we recommend building your raised bed at 0.35m and above to prevent them getting to your prized plants and veggies. Crop protectors can provide some cover, especially from cats, insects can be a little more difficult to control but there are friendly ways to keep them out; adding a bug hotel nearby will help encourage beneficial insects into the garden who can feast on pests such as greenfly and black fly and if you add a bird feeder they will repay you by picking out insects too, bit make sure you add a deterrent to keep them away from seedlings and strawberries!

Use our raised bed calculator to input your own sizes and get an instant price.

How much soil do I need to add to my raised bed?

If you are filling your raised bed completely then a simple way to work out how many litres is length(m) x width(m) x height(cm), but if you are adding a drainage layer to the bottom, subtract the height of the layer from the equation so you don’t over order. We advise customers to use a good topsoil mix and add a soil improver or compost mix to the top layers.

For 10 reasons why WoodBlocX raised beds are great for your garden click here.

How often should I water my raised bed?

This totally depends on there time of year but during warmer weather water twice a day, early morning and in the evening to prevent the sun scorching the plants. Solar or electric watering systems are a really good option if you struggle to lug watering cans around the garden. Raised beds also warm up quicker in the spring and cool down slower when the weather turns cold, which is brilliant for growing in general.

How do I improve the health of the soil in my raised bed?

Raised beds are a great solution for gardens with poor soil as you can select the type you use. We advise customers to use a good topsoil mix and add a soil improver or compost mix to the top layers. Sandy soil is the best all-rounder. Using a bought-in topsoil rather than using up any surplus from the garden gives you much more control over weeds. Soils can be made richer through using your own homemade compost or manure, adding mycorrhizal fungi when planting is also a great way to boost soil and plant health in the long-term.

How do I improve the drainage of my raised bed?

Raised beds can be accessed without having to walk on them, this prevents soil compaction, which also improves drainage, helping plant roots to grow more freely and take on more nutrients. WoodBlocX raised beds of all sizes allow for drainage through the air gaps between each block, customers building our raised beds directly on patios, tarmac and concrete could benefit from a drainage layer at the bottom if the bed - stones or gravel can be used for this. 

Can I build a raised bed on a roof or balcony?

Yes! WoodBlocX is perfectly suited to balconies and roof gardens thanks to the small light weight blocks which can be easily moved around, whereas lengths of timber and heavy railway sleepers can be difficult to get up stairways and into lifts. Our raised beds and planters can be made to fit tight or narrow spaces and will instantly add character to your outdoor space.

Find out about our free design service here.

What weedkillers or fertilisers can I use when growing plants in a raised bed?

This is entirely up to the individual, we recommend using products that are kinder on the soil and environment, check for products that are clearly labelled natural, biological or have the stamp of approval from organic growing organisations such as the Soil Association or Organic Farmers & Growers Association. For weeds you can remove by hand or, if you're keen to use the no dig method, and have a space that you're starting from scratch with you can cover it with a sheet to stop the light getting in and then remove the weeds once they have perished.

To find out more about our wide range of raised beds and the different shapes and sizes available click here.

We asked our designers Lachlan, Calum and Harry to provide some helpful tips to consider when planning a raised bed garden.

There are so many benefits to adding raised beds to your garden and our modular system makes it really simple to install them, cutting out labour costs and providing you with a planting solution that is practical, durable and attractive.

Our timber raised beds are made up of series of wooden blocks that are pressure treated which makes them super strong, the blocks are held together by strong dowels and this combination ensures your structure will not crack or warp.

The versatility of our system means the design possibilities are almost limitless, our team of skilled designers work closely with customers on a daily basis to ensure they get the best solution for their gardens, whether it’s a singular raised bed, multiple raised beds or a completely bespoke garden design.

Planning a raised bed garden - What is the best position for a raised bed?

Lachlan says: Look for an area of your garden that gets the most sun. Ideally, the location for your raised-bed garden receives at least eight hours of sun (you can provide shade if it needs it, but you can’t add sun). Other considerations are level ground, good drainage, and access to water.

If you want to maximise growing space for edibles, plants or flowers, think about the paths that are existing or that you're planning to use. Could you create a different path layout and add additional raised beds?

For 10 reasons why raised beds are great for the garden click here.

What is the best size for a raised bed?

Calum says: The length of a raised bed doesn’t matter just keep in mind you will need to walk around it to get to the other side.

Ideally, the depth of the bed is from 350-650mm deep. Almost all crops can be grown in this depth of raised bed. We wouldn't advise making any single height bed more than 2.5m across otherwise you'll have issues tending to the centre of it. Consider creating a higher section within which will allow you to lean over and gain better access.

Use our raised bed calculator tool and add your preferred to sizes and you can see what benefits the height offers.

How to maximise space in the garden using raised beds

Harry says: If you're limited for space, consider how you might blend the use of a single area. For instance, if you'd like to include seating consider integrating it into the wall of the raised bed instead. If you've got a sloping area and need to retain or landscape it, use one of our raised beds as a retaining wall.

You can browse our popular pre-designed raised bed kits by heading here or use our free design service. 

If you need advice, guidance or have any questions about using raised beds in your garden contact us directly via phone: 0800 389 1420, email [email protected] or click on the live chat box over on the left of the page. We offer all customers a free design service to ensure everyone gets exactly what they need for their garden.

WoodBlocX are just like kids building bricks and are versatile and simple enough to build anything you can imagine!

Ideal for school and nursery projects, landscaping with WoodBlocX will improve any outdoor area.

Because the parts are small and require little technical expertise, everyone can get involved. In many of our projects for schools the children have assisted in the actual building of the structures. If the children help build the raised beds then generally they become more interested in planting and gardening in general.

If you have a rough idea of what you want for your school or community project then please don't hesitate to get in touch. We provide a free design service, so all you need to do is either give us a call or send us in a rough design of what you are after. we will then draw it up and price it for you too.

A great way to get kids involved is to get them to come up with designs themselves and then send them in to us. We have had all sorts of request, from normal raised beds to very imaginative sand pits etc. In general, as you probably know yourself, a child's imagination can come up with better fun and more original designs than us adults!

We can also engrave into the WoodBlocX. For example we have had Primary 1 up to primary 7 engraved in blocx so that each year can have their own specific planter to get stuck into. We can really do engravings of any specific design that you request. Just get in touch and we can discuss all the possibilities.

There is a few selected kits that have been designed before that can be found on the kits for schools page that could maybe get you thinking about options. So get everyone thinking, get everyone involved and get everyone planting!

Saughton Park is one of Edinburgh’s top ten parks, close the river Leith it has facilities for sports, recreation and has a rich history of growing plants for medicinal purposes. The park’s walled and physic garden is where the term ‘occupational therapy’ was coined thanks to the pioneering horticultural work of Dr William Lowe more than 100 years ago.

The Physic and Kitchen Garden, as it is now known, recently underwent a huge transformation, plans to replace the 1950’s sensory garden for the blind, which had fallen into disrepair, began at the start of 2019 and resulted in 17 large WoodBlocX raised were installed with several structures featuring integrated seating to create a functional space for both visitors and volunteers to enjoy.

The garden is looked after by Friends of Saughton Park, which is split into different groups and look after various parts of the park, the Physic Garden team, who were keen for the garden to appeal to all ages and abilities, designed and planted it. The group is also known as the 'lotions and potions' group, each of the WoodBlocX wooden raised beds that make up the garden each relate to different parts of the body, the plants within a particular bed each have medicinal properties relating to a particular part of the body. The central raised beds have been designed around parts of the body and the plants chosen are beneficial for that area, or ailments or diseases affecting it e.g. the heart bed contains foxgloves which have been used in the treatment of heart conditions since the 1700s; the oncology bed contains snowdrops whose active component is galanthamine, which used in anti-cancer treatments.

Our top three raised beds for growing edibles

Raised Bed Best Seller
Size: 2.25 x 1.125 x 0.45m
Price: £344.00

A perfect size for a small vegetable, fruit or herb patch, or for adding some ornamental planting to any area, this raised bed is proportioned to be half as wide as it is long. It is narrow enough to reach all the plants without having to step on to the bed itself. The extra height also makes maintaining the plants that little bit easier on the back and knees, or for tending from a (wheel)chair.

L-Shaped Raised Garden Bed
Size: 2.625 x 1.125 x 0.75 x 0.35m
Price: £340.20

A big upright and a small sticky-outy-bit, this L-shaped kit is perfect for awkward corners that have just a small bit of cornering to do, for instance coming into a gate or the end of a wall by a door.

Octagonal Raised Bed
Size: 1.65 x 0.45m
Price: £344.20

This planter would make a striking centrepiece to a front or back garden or patio, and could be used for planting almost anything. It is deep enough to accommodate a small specimen tree or shrub that could be underplanted with bulbs or shade-loving plants.

To find how easy it is to build with WoodBlocX and to find out why our structures are so popular click here

Alan Titchmarsh and his team at ITV’s Love Your Garden used WoodBlocX raised beds to create a beautiful Mediterranean themed garden at a mid-terrace house that provided a place for a mother to relax and her children to play. The garden was completely flat and the team used large terracotta pots and paving, brick walls were painted and an array of vibrant and fragrant planting was included to give the garden a feeling of warmer climates. Two large WoodBlocX wooden raised beds were used, one providing extra height and the other at ground level planted out with shrubs and bushes. 

One of our favourite TV installations has to be Glenn and Zoe’s garden which appeared on BBC 2’s Big Dreams Small Spaces with Monty Don. The couple embarked on a complete redesign of their steep garden. Determined to find an alternative to railway sleepers for building raised beds they searched and found WoodBlocX, using our modular system to create a beautiful terraced garden with raised beds, retaining walls and steps all made of WoodBlocX, whilst maximising the space they had available. The result is a truly beautiful garden.

Alan Titchmarsh and his team requested WoodBlocX for another project this year to create an accessible garden in Nottinghamshire for a mother whose son was a wheelchair user with multiple disabilities, the garden included two large WoodBlocX raised beds and a WoodBlocX bench to form part of the sensory garden. Plus the Instant Garden on BBC 2 used a small L-shaped planter to rescue a garden in York affected flooding with Helen Skelton describing WoodBlocX as an ‘ingenious timesaving solution’.

If Monty Don and Alan Titchmarsh’s WoodBlocX installations and garden makeovers have given you inspiration for your own garden project check out our kits for timber raised beds, ponds, seats, edging and kerbing, garden walls, steps and more or contact our design team with your garden ideas and they will create a design that is bespoke to your garden for free.

WoodBlocX timber raised beds, planters, ponds, walls and seats are not only loved by our customers for updating their gardens, patios and driveways, gardens, our strong and long-lasting structures can also be found in a number of other locations across the country.

Our modular system can be seen in seen at one the UK’s busiest shopping centres; Westfield Stratford City, this huge retail hub attracts more than 50 million visitors a year and thousands on a daily basis. We installed a huge cascading planter at the entrance to the centre, nestled between an escalator and steps, the bespoke container is planted out with a mixture of trees and shrubs to bring a touch of nature to this urban shopping destination. You also find our raised beds around the outside of the centre providing visitors with areas to escape the hustle and bustle of the shops.

We have also worked on roof gardens for student accommodation complexes from London to Aberdeen, creating relaxing spaces for students to unwind in that are both practical and functional. Using bespoke designs that work perfectly with the space, combining planters with integrated seating across large areas. Our raised bed designs incorporate curves and zig zags to transform the spaces along wth clever planting and lighting.

If these snap-shots have given you ideas for your own garden you can shop our range over on the website or if you have an idea and you’re not quite sure how to execute it, get in touch with our design team who will work with your ideas to create a bespoke design free of charge. Click below to find out more.

Lift

Mulch

Spreading a good mulch around sensitive perennials will provide insulation and protect their sensitive root systems, a hardwood mulch is the best option, scatter it in borders and raised beds, building up a good protective layer, you could also use compost or straw. Don't wait until it is too cold to apply your mulch, add it whilst the soil is still moist and slightly warmer.

Protect

Larger containers and timber raised beds can be protected from the wind, rain and frost by ‘overwintering’. Simply wrap a protective cover around the structure, different materials can be used from hessian to fleece, your local garden centre will stock a good selection and will be able to advise which is best for the plants you need to protect.

You can protect your crops all year round with WoodBlocX Crop Protectors. These attractive, rustic and functional rods enable to keep pests such at bay in the spring and summer with a covering of netting or to fix winter fleece or hessian protection too.

Grow

There are still crops that can be grown outside now in wooden raised beds, containers or open ground including onions, peas, broad beans and garlic. If you’re keen to get growing this winter check out our range of easy to build and hardwearing raised beds. Choose from all shapes and sizes to suit your garden.

Q. What is the best position for a raised bed?

A. Once you have decided where you would like to build your raised bed, take some time to note where the sun rises and sets. The amount of light that falls on that particular spot will help you decide whether it is the best place to build it or not, for example, if your raised bed has shade cast over it for most of the day certain plants or edibles may not thrive there.

Q. What surface can a raised bed be built on?

Most raised beds can be built on any surface and there is no need for foundations or cement, build them directly on soil, grass, paving, tarmac, concrete or even sloped gardens, just make sure that you are building on a solid and level surface. WoodBlocX raised beds are unique in their design, incorporating a series of strong dowels which means they are able withstand ground movement when built on a reasonable surface. To find out how to build a WoodBlocX raised garden bed click here.

Q. What should I line my raised garden bed with?

A. We recommend using a geotextile membrane liner which should be placed in the bottom of the raised bed, as it will allow for better drainage. Use a damp proof membrane to line the sides of the raised bed and over the buttresses, this will ensure the structure remains in excellent condition.

Q. What soil should I fill my raised bed with?

A. This totally depends on what you plan to grow. Raised beds are a great solution for gardens with poor soil as you can select the type you use. Filling the space with a rich compost mixture would work really well but would also be very expensive. We advise customers to use a good topsoil mix and add a soil improver or compost mix to the top layers. Sandy soil is the best all-rounder. Using a bought-in topsoil rather than using up any surplus from the garden gives you much more control over weeds. Soils can be made richer through using your own homemade compost or manure, but check whether these mixes are suitable for what you plan to grow and remember plants and vegetables can be supported with solid and liquid fertilisers too.

Q. What can I grow in a raised bed?

A. You can grow almost anything in a raised bed! Many of our customers favour them for growing edibles because the extra height makes the regular cycle of sowing, maintaining, weeding and harvesting really easy. Depending on the surface that your raised bed is built on you may need to consider planting deeper rooted varieties in taller beds rather than low-level beds.

Raised beds are ideal for organic growing as you can control exactly what is used in them, also ericaceous plants such as rhododendron and camellia can also be planted using an acidic soil mixture.

Q. How do I work out the soil quantity for my raised bed?

A. If you are filling your raised bed completely then a simple way to work out how many litres is length(m) x width(m) x height(cm). If you plan to add a drainage layer to the bottom, subtract the height of the layer from the equation.

Q. How do I maintain a raised bed?

A. Our raised beds are maintenance free, the wood is pre-drilled and then pressure treated, we expect them to last 15 years or more without rotting, cracking or warping. Our structures are joined by a series of dowels that help to create a rigid structure which can withstand tension forces (each dowel joint will withstand up to 0.9 tonnes of shear force in our tests).

Q. Can I build raised beds on a slope?

Wood is the heartbeat of WoodBlocX and it is our duty to ensure that the wood we use is grown ethically, sustainably and that waste is repurposed effectively. All of the wood used in our products is harvested in ‘managed forests’ which are areas of woodland where trees are felled and replanted with seedlings.

A couple of interesting statistics…a whopping 5.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide is sequestered from the atmosphere by these types of forests in the UK, and, trees play a vital role in our economy, with the wood processing industry providing 64,000 jobs in the UK.

So it’s important that when you buy a wood-product that it is not just from an environmentally-friendly company, but that the good ethics are present all the way back down the supply chain to where that company sources its materials, when using a company like ours you are guaranteed not only a high quality product but also the highest environmental credentials.

The modular timber constructions from WoodBlocX – raised beds, planters, retaining walls and terracing, ponds, benches and more – are all made using mostly UK-grown timber (some shortfall is made up with Latvian timber that also meets our strict guidelines). Using UK timber drastically reduces our ‘timber miles’ and carbon footprint. The more UK-grown wood is used to make products, the more trees will be planted to meet the demand, and we all know that more trees in the world is a good thing. Imported wood can often be from areas that are not managed sustainably, causing untold damage to the earth’s wildlife and climate – WoodBlocX UK timber has none of those concerns.

Our timber is treated using a water-based preservative (Wolmanit CX-10), so there are no nasty chemicals to leach into your garden’s soil which makes WoodBlocX raised beds and planters ideal for organic gardening and growing. WoodBlocX constructions are so strong that they don’t need foundations – even for retaining walls – so you won’t have to use any cement, which has many environmental concerns connected to it. The dowels that fix the BlocX together are even made using recycled plastic, so it’s all in all one of the greenest products on the market.

In addition, the manufacturing the wooden blocks for our kits creates a lot of sawdust that we don’t need, to ensure that it does not go to waste, it is collected by a local energy plant based up here in the Highlands of Scotland and transformed into pellets for biomass boilers, powering homes sustainably with a by-product that we cannot use.

A WoodBlocX installation a great addition to your garden for growing your own ornamentals and edibles, made from high-quality sustainable materials from environmentally conscious sources, plus each one goes towards creating renewable energy for homes and businesses too!

Benefit #3 - Build raised beds at a height that suits you

Easy access for all generations of growers

Raised beds are a great gardening solution for people of all ages. The added height is a massive benefit that makes everything from sowing to watering, weeding, pest control and harvesting so much easier.

Some tips on choosing the optimal raised bed height

• Extra height is ideal as you get older but you may want to consider a low raised bed for youngsters to access.
• Choose the height and depth of your raised bed wisely based on its end use and end user:
  • Low level raised beds (0.25m) are ideal for dividing up your growing areas. For low raised beds built on concrete or paving choose shallow-rooted plants such as sedums, crocosmia, calendula or nasturtiums.
  • For controlling pests such as rabbits or for keeping pet dogs away from your plants, raised beds up to 0.45m should do the trick to keep them at bay.
  • For maximum ease of access, tall raised beds from 0.55m are ideal.

Check out our Size Matters blog post for more information about choosing the right size for your raised beds.

To find out more about our wide range of wooden raised beds and planters and to find out how simple it is to build beautiful long lasting structures for your garden click the button below

Uneven surfaces and paths

Flat, smooth and debris-free surfaces are a must for anyone with mobility issues, an uneven surface can increase the risk of falls, paved/hard landscaped areas are ideal as grass, mud and gravel surfaces can become dangerous after a spell of wet weather.

Ensure fallen leaves and other garden debris is cleared on a regular basis. Pathways need to be wide enough to suit the user.

Planting

Seating

Seating in one form or another is an essential part of any garden, creating an area to sit and enjoy the garden or to take a break from gardening. The positioning of garden furniture is key and of course it needs to be easy to access, if you prefer a sunny spot make sure you note where the sun falls at the time of day that you are most likely to use the space. Our timber garden benches and seating can be incorporated into a raised bed design or installed separately.

Storage and watering

Some sport of storage is a must for all gardens, some traditional sheds can be narrow and difficult to access for storing garden tools, watering cans, hose pipes and other garden essentials, a good option for anyone needing easy access is a lean-to shed that sits directly on the patio with wide double doors which can be opened up taking away the need to step inside.

For larger gardens a good irrigation system for the dryer months will not only save lugging a watering can around the garden, it will also save a lot of time too and ideal for dry summer weather.

Check out our accessibility page and the raised bed kits that we recommend

To celebrate the Soil Association’s Organic September, we’ve put some tips together for ‘healthy gardening’. Maintaining a garden is hard work and it can be easy to reach for the chemicals to control weeds and pests as a quick and convenient fix, but there some quick switches you can make to work towards creating a healthier garden...

The growing space

Many gardeners opt to grow plants and veg in wooden raised beds either at low level to clearly divide a space up or to add extra height, making the area more accessible. Railway sleepers are a popular choice but many are chemically treated and over time the chemicals can leach into the soil. WoodBlocX raised beds use sustainable wood that is pressure treated without chemicals making them a great clean option. 

Control products

There are lots of products available that offer alternatives to harsh chemicals, look for products in garden centres and retailers that show either the Soil Association or Organic Farmers & Growers logos, these products will include kinder alternative ingredients and generally work just as well as the chemical versions.

Weeding - If you’re lucky enough to not have too many weeds to deal with they can be controlled by hand, but it can be a thankless task so it's always good to have a treatment to hand. There has been lots of debate about the use of glyphosate in weedkillers recently due and its potentially harmful effects on our health, most weedkillers will clearly state on the bottle whether they are glyphosate-free, look for the products that feature natural active ingredients.

Pest control - Encourage natural pest control in your garden, make a bug hotel to attract beneficial insects which will feed on other insect pests. The tiny gaps between the blocks in our raised beds are also great hiding places for beneficial bugs. Birds and hedgehogs are great pest controllers, install feeders and baths for birds and make sure hedgehogs can get in and out of the garden. Chickens are also a good option but they can scratch and peck away at the plants and veg you've grown! If you do need some extra help in the form of a bug killer spray or concentrate look for neonicotinoid-free treatment, neonicotinoids are used in pest control and are harmful to bees.

Feeding - There are lots of organic solid and liquid fertilisers available or you can make your own compost, whilst this won’t be fully organic it is a great way to utilise kitchen waste and is much more sustainable than using shop-bought compost.

For made to measure raised beds for growing plants and edibles, made from clean and sustainable timber, head over to the website.

We asked Annabelle Padwick from Life at No.27 to tell us her allotment story and how these community growing spaces can provide much more than just fresh vegetables.

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Happy National Allotment Week! A whole week of officially celebrating a place that mentally saved me and helped me grow as a person. A haven that brings joy, peace and calm to my crazy busy life.

Although I like to think that I celebrate my allotment every day - by visiting the plot, growing new produce, caring for the soil and writing new blogs to inspire others to try this wonderful lifestyle. I feel us true allotmenteers shout about our passion every day of the year, whether others like it or not, we can’t help it. Everyone should have a little patch to grow their own in my view.

If you know my story, you will know that after trying the usual therapy options via my doctor to help me combat my anxiety, it was the process of learning to grow my own produce that clicked that final switch and gave me the boost I needed. If I can grow a sack load of spuds, a giant marrow, pumpkin or a small but oh so juicy and delicious cherry tomato from a seed which most of the time looks like nothing, what else can I achieve in my life?!

This exact question and the multiple benefits that GYO bought to my life, were the reasons I launched Life at No.27 back in 2015. What if I could help someone else in my situation, what if I could be that one person they could relate to?

My motivation has never wavered and is stronger than ever to help others, inspire many and ultimately change lives. Which is why I am now working to establish Life at No.27 as a social enterprise and UK wellbeing support network - using community allotments. Creating a therapy option, I didn’t have at 21, available to anyone who needs the support - via self-referral or GP or Psychiatrist referral.

I truly believe gardening and learning to GYO in particular, can change or at least most definitely add to your life, just as it did with mine.

Whether you take on an allotment, have a small raised bed dedicated to vegetables in your garden or grow a few herbs from seed on a windowsill, it doesn’t matter.

It’s about just giving it a go in a way that works for you and your lifestyle. What some people forget and need to remember, is that there is no wrong way. Buy some seeds and compost, then get going!

The fun of gardening is that it is a never-ending adventure of learning.

It isn’t just about what you grow, it’s how YOU grow.

Annabelle x

If Annabelle’s story has inspired you to get growing you can browse our raised beds for allotments and gardens by clicking the link below.

Last week we headed down to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh to catch up with the team that runs the Edible Gardening Project, a scheme that is run purely by volunteers, and a couple of years back we supplied nine of our timber raised beds which have been utilised to grow an abundance of fruit and veg.

The project is open to anyone who is keen to grow their own produce but isn’t sure where to start and teaches people the skills and knowledge they need to get going, so individuals, local groups and schools can all benefit from the garden making it a brilliant local resource.

As you can see from our photos, the garden is looking absolutely stunning, full of vibrant colour and some very healthy vegetables despite the lack of rainfall.

To find out how our raised beds can be used to create an accessible garden for anyone with mobility issues and disabilities click below.

Build an insect house

Collect seeds

August is a great time for collecting seeds from plants around the garden. This activity can be made even more interactive by getting the kids to make seed packs using paper, sticky tape and scissors. Once the packets are ready, send the kids out into the garden to search for seeds, encourage them to draw the plant the seeds came from on the packet.

Own patch

Set aside an area of the garden that the kids can call their own. Get them to either work directly in the ground or within a raised bed, and encourage them to weed the area and prepare the soil ready for planting. Veggies including broad beans, spinach, onions and spring onions can be sown in August.

Build a WoodBlocX raised bed

This is a WoodBlocX blog after all! Our wooden raised bed kits are ideal for building with kids, there’s no sharp tools or heavy lifting needed, just a little adult supervision. From preparing the ground to laying out the base layer, youngsters love building our timber structures and get a real sense of achievement out of it…and so do the adults!

Insect spotting

The garden is full of life at this time of year, with butterflies, grasshoppers, ants, garden spiders, bees, ladybirds and more going about their business. Encourage the kids to search them out and write a list of the different varieties they find and draw pictures of their favourites.

For inspiration for your summer holiday garden project and to see how simple it is to build with WoodBlocX click below.

On 22nd July the first ever Garden Fest took place just down the road from the WoodBlocX HQ at Inverness Botanic Gardens. We sponsored and attended the event bringing some unique WoodBlocX fun for young gardeners to get involved in!