How to build a raised bed using WoodBlocX

#1 Preparing the ground where your raised bed is going to be built

Start by marking out the area where your raised bed is going to be built. It’s vital to check this ground is suitably level as building on uneven ground can cause alignment issues later in the project. This is very important when building WoodBlocX on both soft and hard ground types.

Even if your garden appears flat, check carefully for slopes in the grass. For the project photos shown on this page, the lawn near the patio sloped slightly so the turf was cut and lifted.

Taking your time to create a level foundation for your WoodBlocX raised bed is always worth the effort! Setting you up for a successful build, it will ensure your first layer of blocks are level and subsequent rows and components will fit together smoothly.

A few bags of builders sand can be used to level the area – especially if you have removed the turf where your raised bed is going to be built. Using a block with a spirit level on top, can help to guarantee your ground is level in the right places before building begins. We offer a handy building tools kit which you can add to your order.

#2 Laying out your first row and pre-dowelling

With your ground prepared, you can start building!

When building on soft ground, we recommend laying out your first row of WoodBlocX away from your prepared ground so you don’t disturb your level foundations when hammering in the dowels. Following your instructions for placement, hammer down the first row of dowels into the ‘recessed’ hole using your green dowel protector.

After pre-dowelling, it’s time to carefully move your first WoodBlocX layer into position on your levelled ground – following this method should ensure you do not cause any unwanted ground movement.

If your WoodBlocX design includes internal supports, at this point you’ll need to install your angle corner plates to tie these supports to the main structure. These L-shaped metal plates hook over the dowels and help to keep your raised bed solid and aligned.

#3 Installing your soft or hard ground fixings

If you are building on grass or soil, now it’s time to install your kit’s ground spikes. These are used to secure your raised bed to soft ground. Following your instructions for placement, ground spikes should be hammered through the first layer of WoodBlocX. Please check your ground to avoid hitting any hidden pipework.

When ordering through our website, you can select which ground type fixings you require.

For hard ground types such as patios, decking and concrete your kit will include angle floor brackets which attach to the inside of the first WoodBlocX layer and the hard surface using the screws provided. It’s vital you check your ground type and use the correct drilling bit to avoid any issues.

#4 Building up your raised bed layer by layer

With your first layer complete and ground fixings installed, you can move on to hammering down your next row of WoodBlocX.

Following your instructions, insert the dowels into the correct holes and hammer them down using your green dowel protector to connect them with the row underneath. It’s this unique system that makes our raised beds super strong!

Continue this process, following your instructions to build your WoodBlocX raised bed layer by layer. If you need any support during your project, our friendly team is always here to help.

During the build, if you hammer a dowel into the wrong place, don’t panic! Simply use the dowel removal tool, which is included with your kit, to unscrew the dowel from its position and move on.

By now you’ll be getting the hang of it! Building up the layers is simple and it’s amazing how quickly your WoodBlocX raised bed starts to take shape. Don’t forget to check your levels throughout your build.

#5 Installing your protective liner

Just before you add your capping layer, it’s time to install your protective liner to maximise the lifespan of your WoodBlocX raised bed. You can choose to include a liner with your order or you can source your own.

Carefully cut the liner to size and work your way around the structure to secure it in place using your kit’s final layer dowels. These dowels are packaged in green bags and are shorter than the rest of the dowels in your kit. Make an incision in the liner and use your green dowel protector to hammer these through into position.

Installing a liner provides a damp-proof barrier between the WoodBlocX timber and soil and is strongly recommended in all our structures. If you forget to install your liner under the capping layer, you can staple, nail or screw it to the inside of your structure later in the build.

If your raised bed includes internal supports, it’s vital you make sure these are covered with protective liner too. Using a sharp blade, carefully trim excess liner. Cut close to the final layer dowels for a neat finish.

#6 Hammering down your final capping layer

Now your WoodBlocX raised bed is built and lined, it’s time to install your last row of angle corner plates and hammer down your final capping layer to complete your design. We offer two types of capping styles, Traditional or Modern, which can be selected when ordering through our website.

Starting with a corner piece, work your way around the raised bed, hammering down the capping using a spare block to protect the timber underneath. Force may be required to close the gap between the capping layer and liner. Follow the number of holes highlighted in your layer by layer buildings instructions to identify the capping needed for each section of your raised bed.

#7 Add a drainage layer and fill with soil

Next, we recommend adding a drainage layer. Gravel, stones or wood cuttings can help to improve soil health. Then, the final step is to fill your WoodBlocX raised bed with good quality soil!

If you need support calculating the soil volume of your structure, contact our team. To reduce the amount of soil needed, always add a drainage layer and you can even put logs, branches and organic matter at the bottom. Healthy soil supports healthy plants so choose the best mix for what you plan to grow.

#8 Plant up and admire your new raised bed

For the project photos shown on this page, a variety of perennials and annuals were planted to provide year-round interest, helping to create a beautiful divide between the garden and patio. But, the choice of what you plant and grow in your WoodBlocX raised bed is completely up to you!

And there you have it…JOB DONE! A beautiful WoodBlocX raised bed that you can be proud of, built without power tools or any cutting required.

Transforming your garden has never been easier. So, what are you going to grow?