Sunday 22 March 2015

WoodBlocX Raised Bed

I was thrilled to get a chance to review a raised bed from WoodBlocX. I'd seen different WoodBlocX kits reviewed on Sue's Our Plot At Green Lane Allotments blog and also Mark's Veg Plot blog so I had an idea of the type of raised beds the company supplies, it was just a matter of working out which size would work best for me.

The beds are delivered it kit form and there's so many different variations on size and design, in fact, the company don't only supply raised beds but also ponds, retaining walls, seats, planters and many other things too. Do take a look at the website.

I decided that the raised bed I was to review would be installed at the allotment, I thought it would be great for growing my root vegetables in, meaning that I could control the growing medium with it being contained in a raised bed, no more stony soil which makes the roots fork, and with a raised bed size of 2250 X 1125 X 450mm the depth would be ideal.

I was impressed with the speed of delivery and with the delivery company. The kit arrived on a pallet and the driver brought it right to where I wanted it. It was well packaged and I could see that the instructions for construction were included.


Now I'm not one for DIY so the construction of the raised bed was left to Mick. He decided that he'd start building it on the patio, getting the corner pieces sorted out before moving it all down to the allotment.


He was very impressed that it was so easy to build, very much like building with lego, a piece at a time.


Mick thought the instructions were very good, though Mick being Mick, he didn't follow them to the letter but still managed to build the bed without any trouble at all.


Once the corners had been dealt with, Mick decided he'd move everything down to the plot to finish it off in situ. He found it easier to barrow the pieces from the site gate to the plot, which is at the other end of the site. Notice our smart new wheelbarrow, the old one finally gave up the ghost.


The area where the raised bed was going to be positioned was dug over, prepared and levelled and then it was on with completing the construction.


The corner pieces he'd already put together were laid out and then further pieces added to start building the height.


Plastic dowels, which are hammered in to the pre drilled holes, hold the pieces together.


Mick kept an eye on the measurements throughout the build to ensure it was all going together correctly and squarely.


It's obviously important that the bed is level so a spiril level was employed to make sure that everything was straight.


It didn't take long until each level had been built up and then it was time for the capping to be added.


More dowels were added to the top layer of blocks.


The dowels then needed to be sawed to size.


The last job was adding the capping and then the bed was complete.


Some of the compost from our plot compost bin was emptied in to the bed.


We'd saved all the old buckets of compost which we'd grown potatoes in last year so that too was added to the bed.


The bed's now full and waiting to be used.


As you can see, it's a very smart raised bed for an allotment site, but it should do the job very well. I'm expecting great things from my carrots and parsnips this year.

I'd definitely recommend WoodBlocX, right from arranging the delivery through to completing the build, it's been plain sailing. The bed itself looks very smart and I'm sure it will last years, the wood is very good quality and should stand up to plenty of wear and tear.

The price of a bed of this size is £261.32 but it was supplied to me free of charge. I have not been paid for writing this review and all opinions are my own and Mick's.

46 comments:

  1. Well that looks very smart indeed. Have fun planting it up.. it should give you years of use!

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    1. It's still a little cold here for direct sowing, but it won't be long until I can get my carrots in. I'm hoping that they'll be the best I've ever grown.

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  2. I am a HUGE fan of raised beds and the Woodblocx beds are definitely gorgeous. That's such a smart method of putting it together with the plastic dowels that are neither visible nor will they rust like screws.

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    1. I've never used raised beds before. I was thinking of them when we got our first allotment plot but decided against. I may rethink and want the whole plot covered in raised beds once I've experienced growing in this one. I think the design of these WoodBlocX raised beds is brilliant, so easy to put together and I'm sure it will last a very long time.

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  3. It's a thing of beauty! And it looks really sturdy. I've had my raised beds made from single plants for five or six years now, and they are starting to rot through in a couple of places. Yours looks as though it will last for decades. I shall look forward to seeing magnificent root vegetables! CJ xx

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    1. It does feel very sturdy and solid, I'm sure it will last years. I'm expecting very good things from it but only time will tell if it improves my success with carrots.

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  4. Join the club! Mine has already seen a couple of years' service and no longer looks pristine, but it has produced some great veg. The extra depth is a real boon. Woodblock are very generous with their Review items too.

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    1. I've been very impressed with the raised bed you got from WoodBlocX so I'm sure mine will be just as good. I think they're both the same size, it's a very good size to grow veg in. As you say, WoodBlocX are very generous with their review items, but from what I've experienced so far, I wouldn't hesitate in recommending them.

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  5. That's a great looking raised bed.. should last a good many years. Look forward to seeing what you plant in it :o)

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    1. I'm really pleased with how it looks and I'm sure it will last for a very long time. It's earmarked for root veg this year but I'm not sure of its long term plans yet.

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  6. We used some of these to make a wall to make a raised flower bed at our previous house and found they were very good so I imagine that your raised bed will do well too! I hope that the roots all enjoy it! xx

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    1. One of the things I love about WoodBlocX is that it's so versatile, it can be used in so many ways. It's quite posh for an allotment site but I'm sure my crops will love their new home.

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  7. Lovely looking bed and looks well made, should last you a good few years, but it would work out very pricy if you wanted a few of them, we have ten raised beds which we made ourselves from scaffold boards which we timber treated, all 8' X3'6'' total cost 300 euro, they probably wont last as long as yours but they do the job.

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    1. It seems very well made and I'm sure it will last for a very long time. They are quite pricey and I probably wouldn't pay it for an allotment but would if I wanted a nice looking bed for the garden. I'm also taking in to consideration how easy they are to put together.

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  8. Wow! Lucky you getting such a fab raised bed!!! It really does look easy to assemble and very smart too. You will certainly grow some good root veg in that!xxx

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    1. I consider myself very lucky, it's a wonderful raised bed and I'm sure my root veg will do wonderfully in it. It was so easy to put together, I'd definitely recommend it.

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  9. What a great item to review Jo, it looks very sturdy!

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    1. I'm so pleased that I got a chance to review this, it's extremely sturdy, it should last for years.

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  10. It;s a great bit of kit - I need to empty ours to try to move it

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    1. It is. I don't envy you, I bet that'll take some doing.

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  11. They look fab and good that they are so easy to put together. Our raised beds in the garden were made from discarded oak decking. All in all they cost us £50 because the saw mill had no real use for them. It took us forever to make them though. The woodblocx look like they're very cleverly made. I'd certainly consider them if we have to replace ours. Enjoy using them, I'm sure you'll get some fantastic root crops from them. :)

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    1. You got a very good deal. I think a great thing about WoodBlocX is the ease of putting it together. I know Mick did it on this occasion but I'm sure I could give it a go myself, it does seem very easy and Mick was very impressed by how quickly he got it done. I think they look great for a garden setting, quite stylish.

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  12. Your new raised bed looks very smart and easy to assemble. With the type of wood used it'll be long-lasting and well used. Enjoy!

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    1. I'm really pleased with it. I shall be putting it to good use this year so I'm hoping that my root veg does well in it.

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  13. What an excellent review post which confirms that these really are such good raised bed kits.
    Like you I'd be more than happy to recommend this product and if I was in the market that's where I'd be looking.
    I also look forward to seeing the results of what you grow in it. Flighty xx

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    1. I think I'll be very spoilt if I decide to get any more raised beds, I'm sure there'll be lots on the market which don't measure up to WoodBlocX. I'm just hoping that I can get some decent carrots to grow in it now.

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  14. Looks really good, very robust and an excellent idea, especially for those unable to kneel or bend too low. I'm sure you will be itching to plant it up xcx

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    1. It's certainly robust. I think raised beds are great for people with back problems, as you say, you don't have to kneel or bend as low with a raised bed. It won't be long now until I get my carrot seed in and the growing can begin.

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  15. Now that is one fabulous raised bed Jo.
    It is really smart.
    Would be more than happy with that in my garden.

    It looks easy to put together as well........

    Cannot wait to see little green shoots appearing during the growing season. Keep us posted.

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    1. It's fabulous, isn't it? I know I've got it on the plot but it's definitely smart enough to use in a garden. I'm sure that most people would manage to put it together, the instructions look very straight forward and Mick said it was very easy. I can't wait to see green shoots appearing now, I will definitely keep you updated.

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  16. Looks great and not a bad price really. I'd love to have one!

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    1. I think it's probably above most people's budgets for an allotment but it's not too bad for the garden, it's very smart and I'm sure it will last a long time.

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  17. Let me thank you in behalf of Mother Earth. :D
    Good job,dear.

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    1. I just need to put it to the test now and grow some great veggies in it.

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  18. Now I have raised-bed envy, Jo. So much smarter, deeper, and cleverer than my puny ones. And I have a lego-loving grandson who would put one of those together in a snap. P. x

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    1. The problem now is that I can envisage my whole plot covered in them, and that would cost an arm and a leg so that's not possible, but I'll definitely make the most of this one.

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  19. Look so nice! So natural. I like wooden material, but it's not safe for our hot humid climate.

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    1. I like wood, as you say, it's a natural material, but it can rot very quickly. I like how this raised bed is very chunky, it should last a very long time.

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  20. Oh that looks most sturdy as well as pleasing to the eye Jo. I will be interested to hear how it fares over time. A couple of my raised beds at the allotment which himself made are now beginning to go. Major surgery is needed! I wouldn't consider replacing them with such a kit but maybe when I give up the allotment I would treat myself to one for the garden.

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    1. Those are my thoughts too, rather expensive for an allotment but reasonable for a garden where you don't mind spending a bit extra for good looks. It seems very sturdy and I'm sure it will fare well over time, but I'll keep you updated.

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  21. What a fantastic item to be given for a review. It looks very sturdy. I hope you have some great root veg and it last you many a year :)

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    1. I'm over the moon that I got to review this, I'm very lucky. I shall be trying my best to grow my best ever carrots in it this year.

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  22. I know that you will be planting veg in to it, but I thought: what a lovely raised bed for alpines - it's just the right height to show off those beauties.
    The difficult thing is finding plants that don't spread (that includes alpines) so they don't swamp the plants next to them. Here's a list of alpines that stay compact and would be perfect for a raised bed:
    http://boundarynursery.co.uk/product-tag/rockery-plants-5-to-20cm/

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    1. I agree. I love alpines and planting them at a height allows you to see them at a better angle. I think raised beds work for many plants, I'm considering a raised bed for my strawberry patch at the moment as I'm sure it will be easier to net them than if they're at ground level.

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  23. I've got to admit, I had a bit of a struggle building my Woodblocx raised bed, but after corresponding with them my problems were alleviated. I can't recommend them enough, go and visit their website at: www.woodblocx.co.uk

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    1. They seem a very helpful company from my own dealings with them and I'm still very pleased with the bed a few months down the line.

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