what wood to use?

snowy_jojo

Hi all

I am looking at making raised beds in my garden to grow more veggies etc but have no idea what wood to use for it - Any help you can give would be very thankfully received

Thanks in advance

:j

niksyg

Try and get some old railway sleepers - they are brilliant, but shop around because some places are rather expensive whilst others can offer you a good deal (same with anything though I suppose!)

Have you looked on freecycle/freegle as often people are getting rid of wood that is suitable for outside use and it's free!

jammy_dodger

do you have access to old pallets ? have a look down local tip ? mine has loads usually glad to be given a new home . they would be free too , just break em up . if you were lookin for something a bit fancier wood merchants sell long planks, floor boards which would be easy to construct , others on here have successfully looked on free cycle . good luck you cant beat your own vegs x

davemorton

I believe scaffolding companies often sell their old boards which are quite heavy duty and long.

ixwood

There's loads of scaff boards cheap on ebay.

ALIBOBSY

We waited till B & Q did an offer on the decking boards as we wanted stuff which was pressure treated so lasted longer, but worth seeing what you can scavenge. Depends how much you are bothered about looks as well of course.
You can also just dig up an area to try out as a veggie patch without the edging at first whilst you give it a go, but we went for mostly raised beds because of the ground being heavy clay (despite putting drainage in it still holds water-still it means the beds don't dry out too quickly except it the height of summer).

ali x

Melonade

davemorton wrote: »

I believe scaffolding companies often sell their old boards which are quite heavy duty and long.

This is a good idea. I bought some from the local reclaim last year and the raised beds we made are brilliant. They are really solid and were easy to make (well that what OH said) We made a 6x4 and a 4x4 bed

CharlieBilly

No good for veg as sleepers contain chemicals which contain poison to humans

niksyg wrote: »

Try and get some old railway sleepers - they are brilliant, but shop around because some places are rather expensive whilst others can offer you a good deal (same with anything though I suppose!)

Have you looked on freecycle/freegle as often people are getting rid of wood that is suitable for outside use and it's free!

wallbash

Old pallets, reclaimed wood . timber out of skips etc ,might be fine on an allotment .
But in a garden , would look a real mess.
ALIBOBSY had the right idea . invest in some decking boards , make an 'attractive' feature , be more Alan Titchmarsh than Bob Flowerdew.

No good for veg as sleepers contain chemicals which contain poison to humans

I have seen that quoted , but have known people use them for years without dying !

niksyg

CharlieBilly wrote: »

No good for veg as sleepers contain chemicals which contain poison to humans

There are raised veg beds at the pre school in m our school and they are made with them - no problems at all!

matt987106

CharlieBilly wrote: »

No good for veg as sleepers contain chemicals which contain poison to humans

just line them with heavy duty plasic sheeting ( or rubble bags )

that way the earth doesnt come into contact with the sleeper