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Okay - I've taken on board all of these things and I've gone for a 5 foot by 4 foot raised bed which will be planted on the square foot gardening basis. Its a converted part of the "patio" - a paved area usually known as the back yard. So far, I've taken up the slabs (heavy), removed the archaic tree roots (stubborn) and dug over the whole thing (surprisingly - because this is a large paved area - finding heaps of earthworms). I'm going to build a brick surround - two bricks high, which gives me just over six inches of extra height to add masses of compost. The question is, having dug the soil which is already there (one spit deep before I hit subsoil), do I still need to leave drainage gaps in the bottom course of bricks?

That's the main question. However, if anyone knows a good way to put up a No Go sign to ward off the poodle (whose name is Porky for reasons I refuse to go into), I shall be eternally grateful.

Yep - you're all right. It's taken me the rest of the day to work out what a daft question that was.

Nice to hear of your plans and hope you share with us how things go!

MKG wrote:Okay - I've taken on board all of these things and I've gone for a 5 foot by 4 foot raised bed which will be planted on the square foot gardening basis. Its a converted part of the "patio" - a paved area usually known as the back yard. So far, I've taken up the slabs (heavy), removed the archaic tree roots (stubborn) and dug over the whole thing (surprisingly - because this is a large paved area - finding heaps of earthworms). I'm going to build a brick surround - two bricks high, which gives me just over six inches of extra height to add masses of compost. The question is, having dug the soil which is already there (one spit deep before I hit subsoil), do I still need to leave drainage gaps in the bottom course of bricks?

That's the main question. However, if anyone knows a good way to put up a No Go sign to ward off the poodle (whose name is Porky for reasons I refuse to go into), I shall be eternally grateful.

For a poodle that does things with pigs, I'd suggest claymore mines!

Nev

strategically placed mothballs, or small containers of household ammonia (in a screwtop jar with holes in the lid), will keep dogs from widdling on your plants. pieces of fresh or dried orange or lemon peel scattered over a seedbed will keep cats away too - so can rue.
wyverne

Oh that is good info about the ammonia and orange peel... as for the moth balls... ewww! lol I can see why it deters dogs.