How to Build a Raised Flower Bed Patio Wall

A raised flower bed patio wall creates a unique and decorative patio border, separating the patio from the rest of the yard. A raised flower bed is an ideal flower garden for older homeowners, who may have trouble bending over to tend ground-level flower beds. Building a wall to define the flower bed will add to its beauty.

Things You'll Need

• Level
• Shovel
• Garden pavers or brick, rock or block
• Mortar
• Trowel
• Damp rag
• Tape measure
• Plastic sheets
• Potting soil
• Seeds, seedlings, flower bulbs
• Mulch

Instructions

1. Check the land around the patio. You will need a level 2-foot border all the way around the patio. If the area is not level, shovel out a level area only a few inches deep. If the area is already level around the patio, you do not have to do any digging.

2. Locate the innermost wall of the flower bed directly against the edge of the patio. Stack garden pavers or blocks in staggered rows, making a wall that is approximately 2 feet tall. Blocks and garden pavers can be laid dry, or without mortar.

   Irregular blocks or rocks will create a sturdier patio and flower bed wall if laid with mortar. To lay blocks with mortar, mix cement powder with water. Scoop mortar onto the blocks with a trowel; and wipe away excess mortar from the surface of the blocks, rocks or brick with a damp rag.

3. Build the outer wall of the flower bed. Set this second wall approximately 15 inches away from the first wall. Construct the wall in the same way you built the first wall. Allow the two walls to dry for a couple of days before continuing to make your flower bed structure.

4. Line the space between the two walls. Lay long sheets of plastic, approximately 2 feet wide, in the space between the two flower bed walls. Lay the sheets lengthwise along the length of the gap. Allow excess plastic to drape up along the sides of the walls. This should allow four-and-a-half inches on each wall of the flower bed for draping. The plastic will prevent weeds from growing up through the flower bed.

5. Fill the space between the walls with potting soil. When you are ready to plant your flowers, bushes or vegetables, follow the instructions included with the seed, seedlings or bulb packaging. Once all planting is complete, cover the surface of the flower bed with mulch to protect seeds, bulbs and roots, and prevent weed growth.

References

• Do It Yourself: How to Make a Raised Flower Bed with a Stone Border
• Acherson-Glover: Raised Beds

Resources

• This Old House: How to Build a Raised Planting Bed