Emmanuel College Cambridge were looking to enhance their existing garden spaces and transform them into a community garden where students could learn about planting and growing.
Emmanuel College Cambridge community garden project
The existing outdoor spaces featured a mixture of paving and turf, providing ample space and a blank canvas for a selection of WoodBlocX structures. The transformation of the garden would allow the staff and students to work together when building the WoodBlocX, creating a usable and engaging community garden.
Planning the Garden
The aim of the new community garden was to transform a relatively blank space into an area where pupils could relax, learn and enjoy. The customer was keen to use a mix of rectangular raised planters in different heights and sizes. Using our online raised bed calculator, the required dimensions of each planter were submitted, giving an instant quote. The calculator gives the customer flexibility to select the correct size of planter to perfectly suit their requirements. In this case, the garden design included stand alone planters as well as planters placed next to the outer walls. Additionally, the customer chose to include a large U-shaped planter. This large planter, along with the various shapes, sizes and heights of the rectangular planters, will provide the college with ample space to grow and learn.
Preparation and building
The building space for the project was fairly flat, however the customer removed some additional paving and turf to prepare the ground ready for the build to begin. WoodBlocX structures can be built on both hard and soft ground, however it is important to ensure that it is level. In this project, the raised beds were built on soft ground, using ground spikes to secure the planters in place.
Each raised bed came with easy to follow, step-by-step instructions which the customer followed to build each planter layer-by-layer. An internal plastic liner was installed to each planter to protect the WoodBlocX timber and to maximise the lifespan. The customer chose our traditional capping to add the finishing touches to each planter.
Finished Garden
The finished garden showcased a wonderful transformation from a blank plot to a bright, flourishing space perfect for growing and learning. The multiple raised beds give the students the option to grow a variety of different plants, fruits and vegetables, maximising their learning in the garden. The planters situated against the wall offer another dimension to the space, with the option to include climbing plants to enhance the aesthetic of the outer walls.
The ground around each planter has been finished with a mix of slabs, bark and pebble stones, with a weaving path running through the middle of the garden connecting all elements together. This project is a wonderful example of a community garden where all aspects have been covered, creating a welcoming space for staff and students to enjoy.
An inspiring community garden project
A wonderful example of a community garden built with WoodBlocX within an educational setting. The variety of raised planters gives ample space for students to learn and begin their gardening journey.
Create stylish shaped planters in your garden
Transform your garden with our stylish and practical U-shaped planters from WoodBlocX. Designed to maximise growing space while providing easy access from all sides, these planters are perfect for both small and large outdoor areas. The unique U-shape is ideal for creating a central feature in your garden.
