Raise Bed Material

[Cory Hughes]

Hi all,

I'm new to this thread but not new to gardening however I have a question that may have already been discussed at length in other threads (if so could I have the link?).
I want to transform my existing ground level garden into raised beds. I have a good design in mind but I'm having a hard time deciding what material to use to build the beds. Options:

1) Pressure treated - Here in Atlantic Canada we have both brown and green pressure treated SPF. I know this may not be preferred because of the chemicals they use to seal the wood
2) Untreated SPF (could I seal the wood myself?)
3) Cedar or Hemlock - My preferred option but VERY expensive here.
4) Brick, composite - EXPENSIVE
5) Rocks - I really don't like this look

If I could have some advice from fellow gardeners it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[alex1992ccc]

I like raised beds alot, especially since my soil is horrible here.. and raised beds are just fun! Thing is I'm poor, I'm a gardener without a garden budget at the moment.. the main question is how much money will you spend, like you said, bricks would be awesome but expensive... And I hate to agree with EVERYONE else... But I am also OCD about NOT letting chemicals into my garden. Especially if I'm eating what comes out if it.. ANYWAY, I like the wood idea while doing your best to keep the chemicals out of your dirt

 

[Chuck]

How about cinder blocks? You can even fill the holes and plant in them. They, unlike ANY type of wood, will last forever. You can make different designs, you can make it shallow or deep. They are probably less expensive than lumber and if you move just take them with you.

 

[Cory Hughes]

I like raised beds alot, especially since my soil is horrible here.. and raised beds are just fun! Thing is I'm poor, I'm a gardener without a garden budget at the moment.. the main question is how much money will you spend, like you said, bricks would be awesome but expensive... And I hate to agree with EVERYONE else... But I am also OCD about NOT letting chemicals into my garden. Especially if I'm eating what comes out if it.. ANYWAY, I like the wood idea while doing your best to keep the chemicals out of your dirt

Ya, I think Pressure treated is out. Ideally I would like to do brick if I can find them on sale. They would last forever!

 

[Cory Hughes]

How about cinder blocks? You can even fill the holes and plant in them. They, unlike ANY type of wood, will last forever. You can make different designs, you can make it shallow or deep. They are probably less expensive than lumber and if you move just take them with you.

I like that idea! I never thought about blocks and you're right they are cheap. Thanks for the suggestion

 

[Chuck]

Ya, I think Pressure treated is out. Ideally I would like to do brick if I can find them on sale. They would last forever!

You can get used bricks but it will take a LOT of them. You cannot just stack one layer on top of the other as it will fall apart, the reason being is that they are light in weight. You could probably cement them together but even that is iffy and would not last forever.

 

[Cory Hughes]

You can get used bricks but it will take a LOT of them. You cannot just stack one layer on top of the other as it will fall apart, the reason being is that they are light in weight. You could probably cement them together but even that is iffy and would not last forever.

Right. I will have to do some research and see if my area has a place that sells brick or blocks on sale

 

[Chuck]

Right. I will have to do some research and see if my area has a place that sells brick or blocks on sale

Here, lumber yards sell new cinder blocks for 3$ each. Masonry places sell used brick here for 20$ per 100 but you have to remove all of the old cement or they will be wobbly. Don't know about used cinder blocks.

 

[Cory Hughes]

Here, lumber yards sell new cinder blocks for 3$ each. Masonry places sell used brick here for 20$ per 100 but you have to remove all of the old cement or they will be wobbly. Don't know about used cinder blocks.

Great! thank you for the advice!

 

[Mrsclem]

I have seen corrigated fiberglass roofing panels used as well.

 

[DirtMechanic]

People that say do not use treated have a copper soap organic irony issue. And personally, I would make them collapsable. Let me explain.

I would plan a surface mount 6x6 treated (copper micronutrient) with a tin roof (zinc micronutrient-iron if rusty) utility panel. This is 24 inches high basically. I would not dig the posts into the ground but I would run some wind rods through the 6" high center and the middle of each remaining distance such that tornadic winds would have a tonnage to lift if they came by one day. I would use screws so I could disassemble the large container and amend with my tiller for my ease, and upon reassembly, simply shovel the newly sterilized and amended earth back into the reassembled container come spring.

 

[Cory Hughes]

People that say do not use treated have a copper soap organic irony issue. And personally, I would make them collapsable. Let me explain.

I would plan a surface mount 6x6 treated (copper micronutrient) with a tin roof (zinc micronutrient-iron if rusty) utility panel. This is 24 inches high basically. I would not dig the posts into the ground but I would run some wind rods through the 6" high center and the middle of each remaining distance such that tornadic winds would have a tonnage to lift if they came by one day. I would use screws so I could disassemble the large container and amend with my tiller for my ease, and upon reassembly, simply shovel the newly sterilized and amended earth back into the reassembled container come spring.

Great advice. I like this idea. Pressure treated doesn't scare me that much. I know the chemicals they use now are arsenic free. I have just read too many personal opinions I guess.

 

[SQWIB]

Pressure treated is perfectly safe to use.
Filling the beds can be an expense too so you may want to consider the height of the beds.
I try to make my beds at least 18" high.
For filling the beds I done a hugelkultur/lasagna type method.

Logs were put in the bottom, followed by sticks, branches, hay, leaves, sod, old potting mix, shrubs, mulch, compost, manure, clay soil from digging out the area, etc...

At the end of the season I grow a cover crop in the beds to overwinter.

Here's an example of one I built over top of a stump, this area was always a problem in my yard.

• Area to put the bed.

• Stump

• Prepping area

This is a year later.