Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Design and Construction => Topic started by: Barry sharpe on December 16, 2008, 18:55

Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Barry sharpe on December 16, 2008, 18:55
Hi,

First question one of many, :wink:

I have read or am reading Johns excellent book "Vegetable growing month by month."  I am leaning towards the raised bed idea for two reasons one is my allotment is at the bottom of a slope. Two i will be able to use other materials for the paths rather than grass, currently thinking wood chip. I have a good plan that will enable me to create four main beds.

bed A = 4 feet wide and 23 feet long
bed b = 4 feet wide and 25 feet long
bed c = 4 feet wide and 27 feet long  
bed d = 4 feet wide and 29 feet long

i have room for another couple of smaller beds one which is going to be in the shade a lot this i am going to call my testing bed as one end of my main beds wont get a lot of sun. (yet to verify that but not looking promissing)

Anyway my simple question is i need wood for all of this so an online source would be handy one that will serve non trade. Johns book talks of at least 38mm wide, and will need enougth depth to raise the beds.

All suggestions welcome, even if it is to suggest another look at the design itself.

Thankyou in advance

Barry
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Yorkie on December 16, 2008, 19:14
I'm sure you have your reasons for wanting up to 6 beds, albeit some smaller than others, but beds a - d look very narrow to me, you probably won't get much more than one row of anything in each one.

It may only be a matter of personal style, but I'd consider wider beds to start with, and perhaps fewer of them.  This would probably mean less wood to acquire (fewer long sides of beds).

I've never used raised beds so can't comment on the construction itself, sorry.
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Ice on December 16, 2008, 19:27
Four feet wide is perfect, but I would break up those long lengths because instead of going around you might be tempted to step on the bed to get to the other side.  Defeating the object methinks.
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Yorkie on December 16, 2008, 19:31
:D  :D I bow to greater experience  :D  :D
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Barry sharpe on December 16, 2008, 19:31
I know where you are comming from Yorkie, the idea is that you dont ever need to clamber on the beds. And can easily reach the center from both sides. Not having any growing experience i cannot say whether 4 feet will be wide enougth i am tall so could possibly do 6 feet at a strech. Once i peg it out i will have a better idea of  how wide it can be. Its a worthy note though Yorkie i imagined two rows per bed.
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Ice on December 16, 2008, 19:35
Don't forget you can plant closer together and use equal spacings all round.  No six inches between plants and 12 inches between rows for example.
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Elcie on December 16, 2008, 20:01
I have raised beds and love them (although I have never tried anything else!)

They are mainly 4ft wide and 6 or 8ft in length.  I have some 4x4 too which I use for radishes and salads.  They are very easy to work as you don't have to reach too far to get into the middle or walk too far around the outside.

My OH built them and we started off with more expensive scaffolding planks but when we went back to Wickes they had sold out so we moved on to (much cheaper) wooden planks.  Thick post in corners, nailed planks onto it.  The wood literally sits on the soil and then you dig in the middle of the bed.  OH put three sides on, dug in the bed and then put final side on to complete.  Saves digging up the paths too!

We have woodchip for paths.
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Salmo on December 16, 2008, 21:32
Personally I would be thinking of lots of 4ft rows going across. These have the added advantage that sowing short rows every week of things like salads does not take a lot of discipline.
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Ice on December 16, 2008, 21:35
Also, it recommended that your beds should align north to south if possible.  This should give them maximum sunlight.
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Barry sharpe on December 16, 2008, 21:59
Thats the plan to align them noth to south, the problem i have is with a 12" plus hedge that effectivily creates a north aspect for my beds. Looking at it i reckon that half the allotment to the north will only see sun in the summer. I was considering taking down the hedge to the height of the 6" fence that borders the gardens. The hedge is located in the allotments, but not sure if this is the right thing to do.

So my current thinking is maybe some goesberry bushes and blackberry bushes, maybe also kale etc.
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: MOLUSC on December 22, 2008, 14:19
i have become very popular on my allotment because of my job....i install p.v.c.ue fascia boardsand windows etc.
This means that i keep all the old (in good condition) fascia boards as well as old guttering ,downspouts ,glazed window sashes ,polycarbonate roof sheets etc
Since re-cycling all the allotment friendly stuff, i have saved about 1 skip every two months and gained many new friends in the process.  :D

I am sure if you look locally you will find a p.v.c.ue roofline installer who would be more than happy to put aside any old fascia boards for you to take away or allow you to look through the skip.
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Barry sharpe on December 22, 2008, 18:51
Quote from: "MOLUSC"
i have become very popular on my allotment because of my job....i install p.v.c.ue fascia boardsand windows etc.
This means that i keep all the old (in good condition) fascia boards as well as old guttering ,downspouts ,glazed window sashes ,polycarbonate roof sheets etc
Since re-cycling all the allotment friendly stuff, i have saved about 1 skip every two months and gained many new friends in the process.  :D

I am sure if you look locally you will find a p.v.c.ue roofline installer who would be more than happy to put aside any old fascia boards for you to take away or allow you to look through the skip.


Thanks MOLUSC,

That meets all the criteria for a good idea I shall ask about and look up such companies in the yellow pages.

Barry
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Porffor on December 26, 2008, 16:42
Am here browsing for the same sort of info.. I was wondering about using Decking boards as they are pre-treated :) I garden in my garden though rather than an allotment but am looking to build beds in my 'sunny' area - back garden has a fair bit of shade unfortunately.
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: peter james on December 26, 2008, 17:48
if you contact local scaffold companys thay will put aside all the boards thay are desposing of. thay have very strict saftey standards which means thay scrap a lot of split or rotton boards thats where i sorced my 9 15ft by 5ft beds all for the price of the nails and time thanks p,j,
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Porffor on December 26, 2008, 18:31
sounds great! :) And great way to recycle too :)
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Poolfield2 on December 26, 2008, 20:41
I wish I had found this site before I had paid for all my materials :roll:
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Bombers on December 26, 2008, 21:01
I made my garden beds out of Decking boards, because they are pressure treated, and will last a good few years before they need replacing.
(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm278/srebmob/th_Various012.jpg) (http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/mm278/srebmob/?action=view&current=Various012.jpg)
I think they are quite attractive too.  8)
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Porffor on December 26, 2008, 21:23
great beds bombers! :) I'm thinking higher to ease my back a bit.. maybe a foot or even two off the ground. :) not sure on the gaps in between boards whether i'd need to overlap them, if you know what i mean.
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Bombers on December 26, 2008, 21:50
Quote from: "Porffor"
I'm thinking higher to ease my back a bit.. maybe a foot or even two off the ground.

I'm in danger of missing the point here, as Ice will no doubt verify, but as it's imperial, here goes... If you're thinking of raised beds ("a foot high"), then you might just get 10" in height with scaffold boards, but any higher, and you will have too much weight in the beds.You will need something more substantial. (probably railway sleepers, stacked on top of one and other?) - but that would be 'substantialy' more expensive!  :lol: Others may have some ideas on this , I think...
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Porffor on December 27, 2008, 13:05
hmm will have to have a think about them then, as I'd like a 2 heights so that one part is higher than the other, at the very least I need it to be a height I can kneel at or use a stool - my back doesn't hold out for bending straight over for prolonged periods of time so weeding and even just sowing is a problem on the ground.

I used a retaining wall in my garden as a 'natural' raised bed (as I live on a hill, last year but it's shaded a fair bit by my house so wasn't great for some of the crops.. am planning potatoes and corgettes in the sunnier area so that I don't have to 'do much' with them.
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Barry sharpe on December 27, 2008, 14:12
You should be ok Porffor providing you support them well, instead of placing posts just in the corners, consider placing post every 3 feet or so. Or even better if your good with wood you could create an "A" frame with each of the corners and maybe just put posts in the middle of the beds for support. It depends on the length of the raised beds. But i am sure you could provide enougth support for a fairly high bed.
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Porffor on December 27, 2008, 16:22
had a nosey at some wood with my chippy today.. (aka husband) ;)
He preferred some pre-treated planks rather than the decking - they're gravel boards I think - he was saying that if we do this this year, work with it for a year then we can look at making them more 'solid' next year when we know we have the right design in place. He was talking posts every few foot to support well :) Not sure what you mean aobut an A frame though.. sorry being a girl n' all!  :?

Am going to have a section of the frame slightly higher (one board) than the rest.. so it has a support across the middle to hold back dirt too, planning salad crops in there so can net over if need be and pick n' sow - this was the problem last year as we went through a lot of leafy veg etc the rotating of lines became a problem for me - but then I had a pretty bad back by the end of the summer so fingers x'd I can avoid the problem this year. :)

Now if only my hubby would 'get the bug' I'd be well away! lol
Title: RAISED BED PREPING
Post by: tiny50 on January 22, 2009, 10:42
I AM LOOKIN AT FORMING RAISED BEDS ON AN EXISTING LAWN AREA,  SHOULD I TAKE THE TURF OFF FIRST, OR JUST DIG IT IN AND DEPOSIT TOP SOIL ON THE TOP. :?:
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Ice on January 22, 2009, 10:53
Hi tiny50.  I would take the turf off and then dig first.  That's what I did and my raised beds are very productive.  I've stacked the turf in a corner so that it breaks down and I can re-use it later.

Take the caps lock off as it's considered shouting on a forum. :lol:
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: tiny50 on January 22, 2009, 11:57
Thanks for the advice will do that,  I am in a wheelchair so the less of a struggle it is the better.  was kinda hoping the top soil might kill the grass off and save me a bit of back ach.  Still onward and upward as they say.
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Faz on January 22, 2009, 16:27
This looks like a good source of raised bed material to me!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7844112.stm

I am going to pop along and see if I can get anything on my trailer after work tonight :)
Title: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: tiny50 on January 23, 2009, 08:49
Grab me a few hundred boards if your down there Faz :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
Title: Re: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: sunshineband on February 04, 2009, 20:13
Anyway my simple question is i need wood for all of this so an online source would be handy one that will serve non trade. Johns book talks of at least 38mm wide, and will need enougth depth to raise the beds.
All suggestions welcome, even if it is to suggest another look at the design itself.

Well, I bought decking planks from Simplysheds (yes they do sell decking boards) 3m long and made beds 1m x 2m, stacked two high, so they around 10-11 ins deep. Attached the corner posts so they were all kind of standing up off the ground, then dug holes for them with a narrow spade thing - I think it is a fencers spade. Only in the ground about 8 ins. Then just back filled the holes and stamped the soil down. They look great. Also have one 3m by 2m for fruit and a 1.5 m sq one for herbs.

Only thing is,make sure you leave enough space between them so you can push a barrow along, even when spud leaves flop.
Title: Re: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Rangerkris on February 06, 2009, 07:10
i popped into the loal scaffolders yesterday and played on the doing it for the kids thing hahahhahahah i got to go and pick the free timber up today even in this heavy rain i will drag myslef down there.   

Title: Re: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: BestBreast on February 06, 2009, 21:06
This may not be cheapest but not everyone likes asking builders etc... Homebase are selling decking boards and associated wood cheap at the moment.

For those that are a little less brave, now is an excellent time to ask, the snow seems to bring out the community spirit in people. Have a go the worse they can say is no.
Title: Re: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Rangerkris on February 07, 2009, 07:16
This may not be cheapest but not everyone likes asking builders etc...

For those that are a little less brave, now is an excellent time to ask, the snow seems to bring out the community spirit in people. Have a go the worse they can say is no.

I think if you talk to people in a way that you expect to be spoken to most people will pass on old goods that they no longer use.   If it dont work flutter your eye lids hahahahaha that should work.
Title: Re: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: tiny50 on February 17, 2009, 12:36
Being a hairy ar**d biker type with matchin beard,  fluttering theyelids may get me some strange looks!!!!
Title: Re: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: tiny50 on February 17, 2009, 12:50
Any hoot I got some scaffold boards the other day and am in the prosses of doin raised beds and a new greenhouse. see pics.(http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/4130/dscn1549az6.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
(http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/dscn1549az6.jpg/1/w640.png) (http://g.imageshack.us/img511/dscn1549az6.jpg/1/)
(http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/8043/dscn1550xk8.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
(http://[URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/2690/dscn1553ui5.jpg) (http://g.imageshack.us/img12/dscn1550xk8.jpg/1/)
(http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/dscn1553ui5.jpg/1/w640.png) (http://g.imageshack.us/img3/dscn1553ui5.jpg/1/)
(http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/9662/dscn1554yu9.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
(http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/dscn1554yu9.jpg/1/w640.png) (http://g.imageshack.us/img252/dscn1554yu9.jpg/1/)
Title: Re: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Bombers on February 17, 2009, 12:57
Lovely blank canvass there Tiny.... what are you going to do with the rest of the field?
Title: Re: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: lucywil on February 17, 2009, 13:24
OMG, is that your garden? i am so jealous!
Title: Re: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: tiny50 on February 18, 2009, 14:47
OMG, is that your garden? i am so jealous!
About an eigth of it.  i got another stone built raised bed next to the house supposedly for my two kids to use,  they plant and then I have to take care of,  usual story concernin kiddie's.
Title: Re: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: tiny50 on February 18, 2009, 15:02
(http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/2518/dscn1563fo8.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
[IMG]
Beds finnished and filled with topsoil and already composted.  feels rich and crumbely and smell is wonderful. (http://g.imageshack.us/img12/dscn1563fo8.jpg/1/)
Title: Re: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Faz on February 18, 2009, 17:46
Wow that looks well smart Tiny!
Title: Re: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: Celery on February 18, 2009, 18:08
That look very good TINY . Does the wind get up in their because it looks abit exposed?
                                                                                                                                       celery
Title: Re: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: tiny50 on February 18, 2009, 19:32
Ye we get a bit of westerly in the spring and autumn.  then again we are 865 feet above sea level. 
Title: Re: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: David. on February 18, 2009, 21:02
A much cheaper option than some posted earlier:

Pallet boards used as edgings fixed to de-nailed roofing batten (from skips) pegs with Lidl screws (£2.50 for 400), with newspaper mulch over existing grass/weeds in between, and all covered by well rotted horse poo collected free from the stables.

And no need for fancy paving slabs around the perimeter either, as a strip of heavy duty dpm - held in place one side by those ex-roofing batten pegs & the other side by ex-fencing wire hoops (not yet fixed in pic) will last for years:

(http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w264/DavidsWine/mulchbeds.jpg)
Title: Re: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: tiny50 on February 19, 2009, 13:00
Good idea and cheap david and great if you dont need the slabs,  but I am wheelchair bound and need em to access the area.  also went with the higher boxes so I dont have to over stretch and end up face down in the veggies, :lol:
Title: Re: A good source for raised bed materials
Post by: David. on February 19, 2009, 19:21
Good idea and cheap david and great if you dont need the slabs,  but I am wheelchair bound and need em to access the area.  also went with the higher boxes so I dont have to over stretch and end up face down in the veggies, :lol:

Sorry that didn't read back far enough.

Increasingly wet Springs are also causing problems for my FIL (87 with 2 hip replacements) accessing his allotment (20 poles that I help him with), and just this afternoon I had to stop him pushing a wheelbarrow through paths with the consistancy of soggy pudding - due to both wet + mole activity.

P.S. I am also disabled.