Raised Garden Beds

If you are going wood timber are the cheapest. I build mine the same method as you.

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Are there any cheaper ways to build decent a decent looking bed?

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unless you are getting free lumber or cinder blocks, probably not

Trying to find some railroad ties for a bed but have been unsuccessful so far.

Railroad ties.

Tractor supply

I personally wouldn't use railroad ties or treated lumber. If it works for you, go for it. But I would caution someone to be aware of the potential leaching of chemicals into the soil.

I used treated 4X4’s and fence boards, but these have plastic storage bins mounted on cinder blocks that I drilled a bunch of .25 inch holes in the bottom of, placed rocks in first, then smaller pebbles, then all the stuff you would put in a normal raised garden bed.

Our deal was I’d put them right off the deck for herbs….close to the kitchen.

The first year, she loaded them with wildflowers and some Indian or Native American weed essentially that was purple and grew to 8 feet tall, which happens to be a type of hemp. It was pretty, but didn’t really belong in these. Supposedly, it was edible but we didn’t try any, or use it as a seasoning, and I couldn’t bring myself to smoke it.

So, I’m back to square one with, you guessed it……rosemary baws! It’s not a victory garden anyone would be proud of. But, be honest. We haven’t really been winning much these days.

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The 2x12s are about 50 bucks.

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Well, I built them 5 years ago and they are just as good as they a put them down. So, $100.00 per bed might not be that bad.

Modern treated lumber is safe for use. I wouldn’t recommend using railroad ties though.

I switched to cinder blocks for one of my 4’x30’ beds. The blocks were 1.30 each. I gained space using the holes in the blocks to plant herbs, garlic, asparagus, and beets in the fall. I wish I would’ve done it sooner. I’ve had to replacemy wooden boxes twice and would have come out ahead starting with the blocks.