Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Design and Construction => Topic started by: Nic on January 15, 2008, 17:27

Title: Raised Beds
Post by: Nic on January 15, 2008, 17:27

Hi,

At present i  am using grow bags at my back door but i think that i might be able to put up a raised bed without my neighbours complaining too much - the joys of living in a flat!!  I have looked at them online and they seem to be around £40-£60.  If i was to build one myself i would obviously need 4 pieces of wood - but what else??! Do they need lined or rocks in the bottom to help with drainage etc.  Any help would be greatfully recieved!!
Many thanks
Nic  :D

Title: screw
Post by: The Singing Gardener on January 16, 2008, 02:32

Screws are better than nails.

Title: wood
Post by: The Singing Gardener on January 16, 2008, 02:55

also is there a certain type of wood people can recommend?

Title: Raised Beds
Post by: crowndale on January 16, 2008, 08:13

I use gravel board but some other plot holders use old scaffold boards, much thicker and probably longer lasting.

Title: Re: wood
Post by: Rob the rake on January 16, 2008, 08:42

Quote from: "The Singing Gardener"

also is there a certain type of wood people can recommend?

If you treat the wood, make sure the preparation you use is plant and wildlife friendly.

Title: Re: Raised Beds
Post by: Rob the rake on January 16, 2008, 08:51

Quote from: "Nic"

Hi,

At present i  am using grow bags at my back door but i think that i might be able to put up a raised bed without my neighbours complaining too much - the joys of living in a flat!!  I have looked at them online and they seem to be around £40-£60.  If i was to build one myself i would obviously need 4 pieces of wood - but what else??! Do they need lined or rocks in the bottom to help with drainage etc.  Any help would be greatfully recieved!!
Many thanks
Nic  :D

Hi Nic, you don't mention what the bed will be placed on. Is it going on a patch of soil?

Title: Raised Beds
Post by: Nic on January 16, 2008, 09:07

It will most likely be on soil buy maybe grass, does this make a big difference? My friend has some space at her house but that would be onto very hard ground that has not been used for years.  probably concrete with weeds on it! what would  you recommend for either of these options?

Thank you for all your help!! :D

Title: Raised Beds
Post by: noshed on January 16, 2008, 11:18

You can use any wood, except chipboard but if it's treated it will last longer. You can use an old pallet, it will last a couple of years. Fill it with grow bag compost or anything else cheap, then put a couple of bags of decent stuff on the top.
You will need drainage, so putting it on soil will be OK.
Give it a go this year and see how you get on - you can get 'mini-veg' in many seed catalogues, which will be good, with salads.
I've got one going at the moment with rocket, coriander and flat leaf parsley in. It cost 0p - pallets and old compost with a bit of blood fish and bone in. It's about 4' square.
Hope this helps.

Title: Raised Beds
Post by: JeanetteCoulson on January 18, 2008, 13:24

I'm very new to vegetable growing and am planning to put some raised beds in. I have some rough sawn timber from a timber yard and am unsure what I can treat it with to preserve the wood but ownlt affect the soil and vegetables. If a product says its Plant Safe can I assume thats ok for vegetables or can someone recommend the best product to use.
Thanks

Title: Raised Beds
Post by: Aunt Sally on January 18, 2008, 14:04

Welcome Jeanette

I can't help you with this question but others will.

Do pop up to the "Welcome Forum" and introduce yourself  :D