Tomato production in raised beds made of mesh.

One of the drawbacks associated with permanent raised bed gardening is the significant amount of time required for bed construction. Because time is money, this is of particular concern to the market gardener.

In response to this problem, we began searching in 1991 for a relatively inexpensive material that could be quickly and easily used to construct raised beds. To date, experience has shown that a material known as HDPE (high-density polyethylene) plastic mesh is such a material.

The particular type of mesh we've evaluated at the Noble Foundation is commonly used for windbreaks and barrier fences. The mesh design enables the material to be anchored to the ground using rebar stakes woven through the fabric. Unlike rubber lumber, which requires fabrication, the only tool required to prepare the mesh is a pair of scissors.

There are several brands of plastic fencing on the market. A list of companies handling these materials appears in the Appendix. Also check your local home improvement center for availability of these products.

The majority of fencing products when used as a bed border will not retain soil, requiring the use of a liner. At the Noble Foundation, we've had good luck using strips of roll roofing as liners in our plastic mesh beds. Roll roofing is available at most lumberyards and home improvement centers.

Be careful not to select a fencing material with too tight a mesh. It can be difficult, if not impossible, to weave the 3/8-inch rebar anchor stakes through the mesh if the mesh weave is too tight.

Obviously, a plastic mesh border will not stand up to the level of abuse of more rigid, heavier materials such as treated lumber and rubber lumber. Knowing this, several precautions should be taken. When using power equipment such as a weed trimmer or a rototiller in or around beds, take care to not come in contact with the mesh borders. For this reason, we do not turn a walk-behind tiller around in the bed, but wait until the tiller is exited out of the bed before turning it around for the next pass. When tilling close to the border, maintain a distance of 4 to 6 inches between the tiller and the border at all times.

This rule also applies to the smaller, hand-held mini tillers. Despite these drawbacks, a properly maintained bed constructed of plastic mesh will provide several years of useful service.

If you're looking for a quickly and easily constructed raised bed garden at about half the initial material cost of a 1-inch by 6-inch treated lumber bed, consider HDPE plastic mesh.