Raised beds - help?

Davesnave

Ezmondino wrote: »

Thanks for highlighting this, something for me to think about.

There's another thread on this somewhere on MSE Greenfingered.

Jacksons fencing claim their process is different and safe. Their stuff is very good, certainly. Lining beds would seem a good precaution though, regardless of the process/ manufacturer.

Link to CTE here. You'll have to navigate back to the earlier prog. after today because a new one is being broadcast:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/costingtheearth.shtml

A._Badger

The strange thing is that a lot of books suggest using old wooden railway sleepers. If these are very old, they'll have been impregnated with creosote (now banned) - if newer they will probably have been tanalised.

Particularly given that raised bed gardening is so popular with the organic fraternity, you'd have thought there would be greater concern about this, wouldn't you?

nottingham13

Hi

I have built a raised bed using MDF, but is it dangerous because of the chemicals in the MDF seeping out into the soil?

Thanks

angelavdavis

Not sure it is weather-proof to be honest.

You might be better off making one up with salvaged floor boards or old pallets.

Lotus-eater

It won't last very long I'm afraid. I wouldn't be that worried about the chemicals, I believe that the thing in MDF is the Glue and I wouldn't have thought that would leak out.
Still a very bad idea, unless you want to replace your raised beds every year..... if you are lucky enough for them to last that long

BB78

I agree with Lotus-eater I'm afraid, MDF is wood pulp glued together, water from the soil and a typical british winter it'll be falling apart in no time!
You need to use treated timber. I've made mine out of some old railway sleepers that were laying in the garden and blocks, I laid the railway sleepers on top of each other to form the front and used the blocks to form the retaining walls around the sides & back.
Do not use your fence or your neighbours fence as a retaining wall, again the moisture will rot it and it could become a very expensive raised bed when you are having to replace the fence!

dazza001

I wouldnt worry too much unless you are growing anything edible.
Like the others have said it will probably only last one winter anyway.
But yes MDF is made using toxic substances mainly formaldehyde resins which are possibly carcinogenic.

I once made a small storage cupboard out of chipboard for my garden tools.
I painted it with wood preserve, covered to top with proper felt and in my opinion did a really good job.
Within one year the chipboard warped and seperated and eventually just split apart. I thought that it would be ok because I had treated it but not so, it just doesn't seep in to the board deep enough to treat all chips.
So I learnt the hard way, any wood for outside should be treated timber or at least proper wood and then painted.

savemoney

MDF normally when it gets wet swells up and starts breaking up. I think you can get some MDF that is more resistant but I doubt any is good for a raised bed, railway sleepers is best bet

alanobrien

I would coat the surface of the MDF with PVA to seal it. It will help to seal in any toxins extend its useful life.

Zazen999

alanobrien wrote: »

I would coat the surface of the MDF with PVA to seal it. It will help to seal in any toxins extend its useful life.

PVA - as well as MDF will just absorb water like billy-o. It is not water resistant.


OP - You need wood for raised beds, or plastic. Anything made with any pulp or glue will just absorb water and fall apart.

I give it a week with MDF, if you are lucky - before you have a pile of porridge in the garden.

Get down the reclaim yard, it's the cheapest option.