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Lifetime raised bed garden build ideas
Posted on 6/11/23 at 4:20 pm
Posted on 6/11/23 at 4:20 pm
I built some quick 4x12 beds out of 2x12s a few years ago. It was untreated lumber, and I’ve intended to replace them with something permanent at some point. That time is quickly approaching. What are some materials I can use that will last a long time? Not interested in treated lumber.
Looking at composited decking… with it being a 1x, can it make the full 12-foot span with out bulging out badly?
Looking at composited decking… with it being a 1x, can it make the full 12-foot span with out bulging out badly?
This post was edited on 6/11/23 at 4:43 pm
6
Posted on 6/11/23 at 4:27 pm to turkish
quote:
Looking at composited decking… with it being a 1x, can it make the full 12-foot span with out bulging out badly?
Not unless you tie the sides together structurally.
Posted on 6/11/23 at 4:33 pm to dragginass
Eta: originally misunderstood what you meant by tying the side together. Thanks.
This post was edited on 6/11/23 at 4:53 pm
Posted on 6/11/23 at 4:44 pm to turkish
quote:just use treated pine. Untreated pine exposed to sun, water and insects will rot while you watch it. I just built three really big boxes and am caulking the inside joints with silicone and waterproofing the inside faces. They should last at least twenty years
It was untreated lumber
Posted on 6/11/23 at 4:45 pm to cgrand
Man, I just can’t get comfortable with the chemicals.
Posted on 6/11/23 at 4:51 pm to turkish
Pressure treated wood sold for residential use is treated with a copper solution and is completely safe for garden beds. Are you comfortable holding a couple of pennies in your hand?
Posted on 6/11/23 at 4:52 pm to turkish
seal the insides with a non VOC sealant and you’ll be good to go. Trust me my wife would never have allowed it otherwise
trex is made from polypropylene which is considered safe, but it’s not suitable for structural applications
trex is made from polypropylene which is considered safe, but it’s not suitable for structural applications
Posted on 6/11/23 at 5:08 pm to PillageUrVillage
Thanks for your input. I understand if you think I’m being unreasonable. Respectfully, the treated pine I’ve used recently has lasted only about 25% longer than untreated in ground contact applications. And I’m not going to use the good stuff (CCA [also a copper solution btw {couldn’t resist}] or creosote) for gardens.
Maybe I can excuse it for the structural parts.
Maybe I can excuse it for the structural parts.
This post was edited on 6/11/23 at 5:13 pm
Posted on 6/11/23 at 5:11 pm to turkish
If you never want to have to deal with building them again build them out of cinder blocks.
Guy I know did that. Built them up about 4 high. They aren’t going anywhere.
Guy I know did that. Built them up about 4 high. They aren’t going anywhere.
Posted on 6/11/23 at 5:19 pm to turkish
that’s fine
set treated 4x4 or 4x6 every 4’ and then run your trex boards along the posts. I do suggest you get pricing on the trex before you decide. A standard trex deck board (1x6) is $2/ft
for that money you could use galvalume panels and get a better result (and a deeper bed, as standard panels are 36”)
set treated 4x4 or 4x6 every 4’ and then run your trex boards along the posts. I do suggest you get pricing on the trex before you decide. A standard trex deck board (1x6) is $2/ft
for that money you could use galvalume panels and get a better result (and a deeper bed, as standard panels are 36”)
Posted on 6/11/23 at 9:57 pm to cgrand
quote:
for that money you could use galvalume panels and get a better result (and a deeper bed, as standard panels are 36”)
Or cut them in half, since roots really don't do much below 18" of soil. Lack of oxygen and whatnot.
Posted on 6/11/23 at 11:29 pm to turkish
I did mine with treated lumber. 4x12 and 4x8. I have a former classmate that did a video the other day and I saw that she used metal tin framed with treated 2x’s. I like that idea way better and actually like the look better. That tin will outlast my wood and she doesn’t have to worry about the chemicals in the treated wood. Not that I worry about it anyway but, some do.
I put 4x’s ever 24” and braced them to the adjacent beam so it won’t bow out as it ages.
I put 4x’s ever 24” and braced them to the adjacent beam so it won’t bow out as it ages.
Posted on 6/12/23 at 7:41 am to turkish
quote:
and I’ve intended to replace them with something permanent at some point. That time is quickly approaching. What are some materials I can use that will last a long time? Not interested in treated lumber.
I built 4 4'wx10'Lx24"H beds from cinder blocks this year
2 pallets were roughly $250
cheapest and longest lasting material for beds IMO
Posted on 6/12/23 at 8:07 am to Salmon
One other thing about cinder blocks is that you can fill the holes in the blocks with dirt and grow stuff in those.
Posted on 6/12/23 at 8:27 am to bbvdd
Yep. I've got herbs and flowers inside the holes on the perimeter.
Posted on 6/12/23 at 9:06 am to Salmon
Get some of the new composite RR ties.
Posted on 6/12/23 at 10:09 am to turkish
Friend of mine built several out of old railroad crossties.
He drilled them so he could stake them at the corners with rebar then lined the inside with a couple layers of heavy plastic to keep the soil from coming in contact with the creosote infused crossties.
He had a hell of a garden with great production for years.
He drilled them so he could stake them at the corners with rebar then lined the inside with a couple layers of heavy plastic to keep the soil from coming in contact with the creosote infused crossties.
He had a hell of a garden with great production for years.
Posted on 6/12/23 at 11:08 am to Salmon
How did you bond thr cinder block walls together? Keep the blocks from falling out?
Posted on 6/12/23 at 11:10 am to boudinman
I have them all filled with dirt, but I also used concrete glue
This post was edited on 6/12/23 at 11:10 am
Posted on 6/12/23 at 11:17 am to boudinman
quote:construction adhesive or mortar
How did you bond thr cinder block walls together? Keep the blocks from falling out?
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