Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Design and Construction => Topic started by: annex50 on February 05, 2011, 10:10

Title: raised beds
Post by: annex50 on February 05, 2011, 10:10

Hi

I've just got my allotment and want to create beds. Does anyone know how i get old planks - i don't want to waste good wood

Title: Re: raised beds
Post by: Yorkie on February 05, 2011, 10:18

Welcome to the site  :D

Have you tried scaffolding firms - they may get rid of old boards?

I'm going to move this over to Design & Construction as others may have more ideas

Title: Re: raised beds
Post by: Jamie Butterworth on February 05, 2011, 10:25

Hello and welcome to the site,

My latest raised beds are made from wood from a timber auction, very cheap, less than £2 for a 6 metre by half a metre plank, have to buy in bulk though :(

Title: Re: raised beds
Post by: samjess on February 05, 2011, 16:17

Hi,

Just wondered which auction you used Jamie as we recently moved house and I am landscaping the garden and making some raised beds on a tight budget. Or does anyone else know any local timber auctions or can offer advise on using them? Thanks

Title: Re: raised beds
Post by: Jamie Butterworth on February 05, 2011, 16:32

I used the York auction :)

Where abouts in wakefield are you?

Title: Re: raised beds
Post by: savbo on February 06, 2011, 18:56

my allotment neighbour just got a load of substandard joists for what sounds like quite reasonable price - from online supplier

Title: Re: raised beds
Post by: Kleftiwallah on February 06, 2011, 18:59

How about paving stones - or 'flags'   partially sunk into the soil.   Cement don't rot !   Cheers,   ::) Tony.

Title: Re: raised beds
Post by: andy135 on February 06, 2011, 19:30

Scaffolding firms now have to replace their boards, I think every three years under H & S regs. On our plots we club together and order 50 x 10' boards and we get them for £1 each delivered. Cheap as chips.  :)

Title: Re: raised beds
Post by: Lillibet on February 11, 2011, 14:08

Hi Andy 135,
Would you be willing to divulge where you get your used scaff planks from please? I cannot get hold of them even though I'm willing to pay. Many thanks. I need several metres worth to set up beds on my new plot

Lil
Sorry for hijacking your thread annex50!  :blush:

Title: Re: raised beds
Post by: fredhogg on February 11, 2011, 14:32

Get a torch and visit a local building site at night

Title: Re: raised beds
Post by: arugula on February 11, 2011, 14:39

Of course you can always make beds out of something a bit lighter than scaffold planks. You should be able to source GRAVEL BOARDS (http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&xhr=t&q=gravel+boards&cp=8&pf=p&sclient=psy&site=&source=hp&aq=0&aqi=&aql=&oq=gravel+b&pbx=1&fp=6dc80fe6802327bc) at any half decent builders merchant. Per my link £5.00 for 2.4 metres is quite usual. Its what we use and depending on where you are in the UK you might be able to get something called sarking boards - they are much the same in size and shape. :)

Title: Re: raised beds
Post by: Lillibet on February 11, 2011, 14:54

Thanks Argyllie. Good suggestion.
I've looked into timber gravel boards, indeed have been eyeing some up in a popular DIY store, and will turn to these as an alternative if I cannot get hold of the scaff planks. Scaff planks just seem so much more robust though.  :)

Title: Re: raised beds
Post by: arugula on February 11, 2011, 15:12

They will be sturdier Lillibet, quite true but that makes them heavier to work with. Perhaps that isn't a concern to you though. :) With regard to the boards being long-lasting for anyone new to these materials, the gravel or sarking boards are tanalised although I didn't state this in my previous post. :)

Title: Re: raised beds
Post by: stevehester on February 13, 2011, 14:36

I used gravel boards from Wickes, bulk buy in packs of 5, they are 2.4 long and 150 high, thats 8ft x 6inches and pack of 5 just over £21, couple of lenghts of 2 x 2 for the corners, maybe not the cheapest way but they come from sustanable timber supplies, maybe a fencing supplier could be cheaper.