Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Design and Construction => Topic started by: Steven Dent on July 07, 2009, 00:20

Title: Building Raised Beds
Post by: Steven Dent on July 07, 2009, 00:20

I'm about to create a number of raised bed on a large hill area I have. Right now I have 10 8ft long reclaimed railway sleepers to use to create a number of beds... any suggestions on how I can build these?

Title: Re: Building Raised Beds
Post by: penance on July 07, 2009, 10:36

If you search the forum for 'raised bed' there are many topics covering it.

Beware tho, old railway sleepers were soaked in creosote, I wouldnt want to grow veg where that could leach in to the soil.

Title: Re: Building Raised Beds
Post by: digalotty on July 07, 2009, 21:55

if you give them a couple of coats of pva glue they shoud be ok, it should seal them just put a little water with the glue to thin but only a little ;)    this is what is recomended for teracota pots in winter to stop the moisture getting in and splitting when a frost comes so should work great with wood

Title: Re: Building Raised Beds
Post by: Yorkie on July 08, 2009, 09:54

There's an article on the wider site about constructing raised beds

http://www.allotment-garden.org/articles/raised-deep-bed-gardening-construction.php

Title: Re: Building Raised Beds
Post by: Aunt Sally on July 27, 2009, 16:46

Quote from: Steven Dent on July 07, 2009, 00:20

I'm about to create a number of raised bed on a large hill area I have. Right now I have 10 8ft long reclaimed railway sleepers to use to create a number of beds... any suggestions on how I can build these?

Be sure they have not been treated with creosote as if they have they sould not come into contact with any land where you are growing food and not be placed where people can touch them.

Title: Re: Building Raised Beds
Post by: IanYORK on July 27, 2009, 17:26

this item has got me thinking - is creosote substitute safe for application on wood used in raised beds?

Title: Re: Building Raised Beds
Post by: Yorkie on July 27, 2009, 19:04

I think so but check the warnings and usage instructions on the bottle label to be sure