Steal This Look: Water Troughs as Raised Garden Beds - Gardenista
Photography by Marla Aufmuth for Gardenista.
The typical rectangular raised bed is a space hog that tends to dominate a garden.
The raised beds, seen in the distance beyond a trellis, look like large decorative planters when viewed from the house.
Photograph by Marla Aufmuth for Gardenista.
The homeowner purchased the water troughs from a farm supply store in Santa Rosa, California. For US gardeners, Studio Finishes Molten Metallics paint, also in six colors, is available from Benjamin Moore for $22.95 a quart.
Photography by Marla Aufmuth for Gardenista.
The homeowner drilled drainage holes in the bottom before setting the troughs in gravel.
Washed Gravel (L) is available in a variety of colors and sizes; one ton will cover approximately 100 square feet at a depth of two inches.
For pre-made fence panels, see our most recent Fences & Gates posts.
At the bottom of each trough is a layer of gravel for drainage, topped by soil cloth to prevent soil from washing away.
Photograph by Marla Aufmuth for Gardenista.
Photograph by Marla Aufmuth for Gardenista.
Chives thrive in a raised bed; a packet of Fine Leaf Chive seeds is $3.95 from Johnny’s Seeds.