railway sleepers

LJM

for making a raised bed.i was kindly given a few of these today enough to make a decent size raised bed,thats if they would work does anyone or has anyone used these?probably a silly question but i am very new at all this:o

tomstickland

Yes, a friend of mine used several in his garden. I cut some of them up using a hand saw. Very heavy and sometimes coated on pesticides etc.
They are expensive to buy.

LJM

thankyou just wanted to make sure i could use them,yes they are expensive to buy god knows why he wanted to give them away but im not complaining i would prob need to wash/rub them down first before i use them?

Jayar

You might want to check this out

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fgardening%2F2003%2F02%2F13%2Fgsleep13.xml

jennifernil

We have used about 30 sleepers in our garden to make a retaining "wall" about 70 cm high. It has been in place almost 20 years and is still good. The plants trail over it and seem to thrive. We have also used them to make steps.

elsien

MY mum bought some to put in her garden, some have been fine, but others ooze creosote or tar or something horrible when it gets hot - not what you want with kids around.
Check them before you use them, so you can try to suss out how clean they actually are.

LJM

ill make sure i give them a good clean off thanks everyone for your help,ill let you know how i get on

Jnelhams

You will not be able to 'clean them off' as they are pressure treated, what you can do however is to build your raised bed with them but before you in fill with soil/compost you line it with thick polythene with holes at the bottom for drainage. This will stop the plants from being destroyed by the chemicals or you eating any nasties.

Please remember that in hot weather these sleepers will ooze, so do not use them for any walk ways or areas in which children or pets may come into contact with it.

nodwah

I've seen a few things about sleepers on TV lately and they emphasise to avoid the ones with bitumen or tar - I'd imagine esp when you want to grow edible crops in them!
You can buy untreated ones - I got some in B&Q for £13 each last year- not cheap

1jim

Hi
We have been looking into getting sleepers to make raised beds, mostly for shrubs but will grow vegies in them as well, found the information below....

for those in a hurry to get into their gardens !
~ From June 30th EEC and British Dept Trade & Industry ruling that:
~ All creosoted railway sleepers can continue to be sold and used safely with some exceptions and guidelines:
- They should not to be used for childrens play areas, toys, garden furniture, picnic tables, inside buildings
- They should not be used where there is a risk of frequent skin contact, or where they may come into contact with food stuffs
- There is NO problem with new untreated or pressure treated sleepers, or used untreated, pressure treated or salt treated sleepers.

Found this at this site... http://www.railwaysleeper.com/railway%20sleeper%20treatments.htm

was considering untreated new pine sleepers but am a little worried that they may rot quite quickly, any one used these?
thanks
Jim

Debt_Free_Chick

1jim wrote:

for those in a hurry to get into their gardens !
~ From June 30th

2003 ...

was considering untreated new pine sleepers but am a little worried that they may rot quite quickly, any one used these?
thanks
Jim

They will rot, eventually. Why not buy pressure-treated? Or hardwood, if you have deep pockets