Raised beds can be built from various materials: In addition to wooden slats, Euro pallets, various stone walls, metal and plastic solutions, many resourceful gardeners have come up with the idea of using so-called L-stones made of concrete. However, these are very heavy and can therefore only be moved with machines.
Are L-stones suitable for raised beds and what are the costs?
L-stone raised beds are a stable and durable solution for garden projects, but are heavy and require the use of construction equipment, a solid foundation and expertise for construction. The costs for L-stone raised beds are higher.
Versatile L-stones
L-stones are also known as angle stones and are usually made of concrete. They are often used to support embankments and slopes, but are also suitable for various boundaries or for securing beds and paths. Of course, they can also be used to build raised beds, but this option needs to be carefully considered and carefully weighed up against others: L-stones are very heavy and can hardly be moved by just one or two people.
L-stones: DIY or would you rather have it done by a professional?
An L-stone with dimensions of 80 x 50 x 40 centimeters - i.e. within the classic raised bed height - already weighs over 100 kilograms. Since you need around 12 of them to build a conventional raised bed, the total weight of the stones alone is around 1200 kilograms - no one can manage that alone, so the stones have to be moved with machines. You can usually rent the construction machinery you need, but you should also have the necessary know-how to lay the stones. Therefore: If you are an experienced craftsman, you can certainly handle such a DIY project. Everyone else would be better off switching to a different material or getting the appropriate specialists.
How much does it cost to build raised beds with L-stones?
L stones are not necessarily the cheapest materials for a raised bed: a single 80 centimeter high stone costs around 20 EUR - that's around 50 EUR per linear meter. In addition, there are the costs for the foundation and for renting the necessary construction equipment. For a larger raised bed, which may also serve to support a slope, costs in the four-digit range will be incurred - which will be even greater if you have the work done by a specialist company.
L-stones require a solid foundation
A solid foundation is essential when setting L-stones: This includes digging an appropriately deep pit, solidifying the subsoil with a vibrator and filling it with gravel. Finally, there is a thin concrete ceiling on top. L-stones are very heavy, which is why the floor must be secured accordingly.
Tip
If you don't want to do without L-stones despite their heavy weight, you can also use L-stones made of significantly lighter recycled plastic to build raised beds. Here an 80 centimeter high stone costs around 35 EUR.
