Raised bed made of paving stones - how to build it yourself

Inexpensive recycling: raised bed made of paving stones

Various possibilities

Nowadays, concrete paving stones don't just have to look gray and ugly - on the contrary. In terms of color choice, the hardware stores now offer a wide range of very different stones. Some look very similar to natural stones, others like slate, granite or sandstone. Since these are also nice and even, you can wall them up without any problems. It is important, however, that you put a foundation under such a masonry raised bed - this ensures the necessary stability of the structure. In principle, the construction of a dry stone wall would also be possible, but then it would only be a very low raised bed - the stones do not provide sufficient stability for walls at the appropriate height without mortar.

How to build a raised bed out of paving stones

How many paving stones you need for the construction of your raised bed depends on the one hand on the size and height of the bed - and on the size of the paving stones, which can be had in very different dimensions. So you would have to calculate from the dimensions of the desired type of stone how many of them you need for the construction of your raised bed - maybe you want to wall double rows to create even more stability and plant space. If you don't like the look of paving stones: The finished wall can be clad in a variety of ways.

And this is how it is built:

Choose a suitable location.
This should be protected and as sunny as possible.
Now measure the required area and mark it out.
Dig a shallow pit for the foundation.
It should be a little longer and wider than the later raised bed.
Carefully compact the soil with a plate compactor. (€ 207.64 at Amazon *)
A layer of gravel or crushed stone is placed on top.
This is also carefully compacted.
This is followed by a layer of horticultural concrete about 30 centimeters thick.
This has to harden for at least one day.
Now pull up the mortar wall.
Use a rubber mallet to move the stones into the desired position.

If you want to build a higher wall, ask a structural engineer beforehand - he will be able to tell you exactly whether the planned project makes sense or not.