Raised Beds - Review I suppose

Joan49

Great video, it's given me a few ideas. Thanks for posting. My advice is to keep an eye on freecycle and gumtree. I got loads of free decking as well as paving slabs in August last year. I think most people were too busy going on holiday as one woman had been trying to shift the wood for over two weeks! I've made 15 low raised beds so far and still have plenty left for more projects. Afraid to say they are no where near as good as those on the video as my carpentry skills leave a lot to be desired.

matt987106

Davesnave wrote: »

I wonder how many people who advocate the use of pallet timber have tried to dismantle a pallet!

The damn things are usually designed not to come apart easily, so try as I might, I usually fail to get more than a couple of unbroken low grade boards after much personal effort.

A teach-in by the superior individuals who do this successfully is long overdue here.

its all about the choice of pallet, the type with the " chipboard / OSB " Blocks between the slates are easy enough to rip apart
the type with the real wood between the slates are not working

Davesnave

matt987106 wrote: »

its all about the choice of pallet, the type with the " chipboard / OSB " Blocks between the slates are easy enough to rip apart
the type with the real wood between the slates are not working

I wonder if a small scissor-type car jack could be used between the slats. Haven't tried - just an idea.

mikey_D

I did look at making them out of decking etc but I liked the look of these and this is the only place I have seen any like this.

I brought raised bed liners becuase the soil where is live is very chalky so nutrients are fairly no existent. Also where I am putting the beds there was ground elder growing, I hope I have eradicated it with constant digging, weed killer and ploythene but the liners will help if there is anything there.

tim_n

never looked back after using scaffolding boards. Now using a pressure treated similar board same size and dimensions.

You can see them on my blog:

http://www.waark.com/tag/raised-beds/

aliasojo

tim_n wrote: »

never looked back after using scaffolding boards. Now using a pressure treated similar board same size and dimensions.

You can see them on my blog:

http://www.waark.com/tag/raised-beds/

Oooh like the look of the blog. (And the beds.) Will earmark that one for reading properly later.

Ok....daft question...where do you actually get scaffolding boards from? And are they dear? Also..do they need treated? Cost of scaffolding boards compared to pressure treated similar timber?

tim_n

I got mine direct from a wood supplier off ebay classified, delivered. They were cheaper than anywhere else - you can get boards from scaffolders going out of business or old warped cracked boards for free. You'd be surprised how many scaffolders there are about! Just make sure if they are treated, they're treated with safe compounds for your veg - actual scaffolding boards aren't treated because it reduces the moisture content and makes them untenable as real scaffolding boards (they break more easily and without warning.)

spadoosh

Could never justify spending that much on a raised bed but im just a cheap skate.

Im planning (have been for a while definately need to get round to doing it)!! To build a couple of beds from the decking on offer at B&Q, £2.50 for 2.4m. Double height 2 x 2.4m x 1.2m beds(again someone else who doesnt like cutting) 12 boards = £30 got stakes and screws plus get discount at bnq so will only be £24

Pallet collars look like theyll make fantastic beds but im struggling to get hold of any not many places like to see them go.

Quick question about the soil for raised beds. Was thinking along the lines of 40% MPC 40% topsoil 10%fertiliser and 10% perlite or vemiculite (can never remember which is which) Will this be ok and how long do i leave it to setlle before planting anything in?! My seeds are well on their way so should get cracking really!

spadoosh

Alternatively aswell if you ask at bnq if they have the casing/surround/pallet that the 'chiltern arbour' comes in it will make a great bed its a huge pallet with walls about 2m x 1m, as far as im aware they dont have to keep them or anything so should be able to let them go for free. Its like the pallets you get paving slabs in only a lot bigger, worth a look for those who dont want to pay too much or making their own.

tim_n

Raised beds can also be built in the free 1 scrap tonne sand/ballast bags. Doesn't meant to say it looks nice

I would have used the decking boards, but I don't know what they're treated with and neither was the offer on. My beds are 4m long and the boards aren't as high, so I'd have needed 6 boards more or less to make the same height and length.

Because the boards are much thinner, I'd need more supports. One side would be £15 with decking boards, mine was £18 including delivery in the end. I've not included supports in that, or the method of fixing them. I used a special type of coach screw which was substantial, but probably wouldn't have worked on the decking boards. It was much quicker using these screws as they didn't need pilot holes etc.

The difference in cost isn't much, but mine ought to last quite a bit longer and I can disassemble easily to treat at a later date.

My first set of scaffold boards I got from a sale of a scaffolding company - they were premium new boards, rated as well - £5 each. This would be much cheaper than using the B&Q decking boards.