Our modern society is based on constantly producing new things and throwing them away after use. However, this not only puts a strain on our wallets, but also on the environment due to the constantly growing mountains of garbage. Instead of throwing things you no longer use into the trash, you can simply reuse them - and, for example, build a beautiful raised bed out of an old bookshelf. Upcycling is the magic word.
What is an upcycled raised bed?
An upcycling raised bed is created by repurposing used materials such as Euro pallets, fruit crates, old shelves or slatted frames and using them as a new raised bed. This reduces waste, protects the environment and promotes creativity.
What exactly is upcycling?
Upcycling means nothing other than simply repurposing old things that are no longer needed for their intended purpose and thus finding new uses. This requires smaller, sometimes larger, renovation work, after which something new is always created. In German, you could simply describe this trend as “making new from old”. In fact, the upcycling movement, which has been gaining ground in recent years, has a few tangible advantages:
- Old, no longer used items are not simply thrown away
- but given a new purpose
- this creates less waste
- and we protect both the environment and our wallet
- The materials required for an upcycling project are free or very cheap
Upcycling also has the great side effect that you can really let your personal creativity run wild. To make this easier for you and to keep the ideas flowing, we have put together a few suggestions for you here.
Where can you find materials for upcycling raised beds?
Materials for a great upcycled raised bed can be found practically anywhere, you just have to keep your eyes open and perhaps deviate from conventional paths. Look around in attics, basements, your garden shed or your neighbor's bulky waste (with their permission, of course!). There are lots of great things here that can be transformed into a raised bed in no time - even if it doesn't look like it at first glance.
Beautiful ideas for upcycling raised beds
An almost classic upcycling is, for example, raised or table beds made from Euro pallets or fruit crates, which can be quickly implemented with little effort. You can also build such a bed out of old potato sacks or manhole rings. Other options include:
- an old book or cellar shelf as a raised bed frame
- a brick raised bed made of old terrace or paving stones
- a gabion raised bed filled with broken roof tiles and/or stones
- a raised bed built from old slatted frames
or, or, or you see, there are many possibilities. Maybe you'll find new ones, depending on what your personal resources have to offer.
Tip
No matter what your upcycled raised bed is made of: always make sure that excess water can drain away somewhere. Otherwise waterlogging will quickly occur, which the plants will quickly resent.
