Hey everyone! I'm helping my mother-in-law build some raised garden beds and we're a bit unsure about the dimensions. She wants two rows of boxes with an arch tunnel in the middle for grapevines. We want to make sure she doesn't have to bend too low, so I'm thinking about making the beds around 2 feet tall. For the width, since the boxes may only be accessible from one side because of the arch, I'm considering 3 feet wide. Do you think that's a good reach, or is it too much? I'd love to hear your thoughts and any experiences you might have!
4 Answers
From my experience, just under 2 feet is a great height that allows for some bending without straining your back. I’m about 5’9", and I find it just right for weeding and planting while kneeling. Plus, if you’re using vertical space for grapes, taller beds can limit your access to the vines. For width, I think 3 feet could be a stretch if you're only accessing it from one side. Maybe see how she feels about reaching across before finalizing that.
I’d recommend going with 30 inches tall and a width of 3 feet if she can access both sides—3 feet is perfect for that. However, if she’s only reaching from one side, consider going with 2 feet wide to avoid straining her back while gardening. It's all about making it comfortable!
Good point about measuring her arm length! If she prefers not to bend much, aim to make the beds about 6 inches shorter than her arm reach. Just be careful—that might limit her workspace if the boxes aren't long or wide enough.
Using cardboard boxes as a model can help you visualize! For 3 feet wide, it might be a bit of a stretch, especially if you’re trying to pick things with one hand while using the other to hold the plant. Keep practicality in mind.