When you think of accessible gardens, often the first thing you think of is raised beds.
Raised beds are not all created equal, there are lots of things to take into account.
A raised bed must suit the purposes and needs of the person using it, a wheelchair user has different needs to a person not using a wheelchair, but may have the need to use a walker for mobility, for instance.
Some other things to take into account are the materials you will use, the height you will need, whether you need the bed to be moveable or fixed in position. The material you use will have a lot to do with these factors.
Some standard measurements for height and width are as follows, but remember every user will be a different height, so a bed for a specific person can be made specifically for them.
Height for a person standing: 750mm -900mm
Height for a person sitting: 600mm
Width for access from one side: 500mm- 600mm
Width for access from both sides:1000mm- 1200mm
Raised beds don’t have to be rectangular, they can be designed to fit any space or need, once again, the materials chosen will determine what you can do. The curved shape above, for instance, could be made with sheets of corrugated iron.
It’s important to make sure any beds constructed are safe and made by a reputable builder.
Depending on the type of raised bed you decide on, filling it brings its own decisions, but I will cover this matter another time!
Til next time!
The Flowerpot Pen 