Subject: Re: raised bed materials
From: <pyrclark@crosslink.net>
Organization: Bent Oak Farm
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 1997 23:44:45 -0500
Message-ID: <MOD$970908.26572@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$970905.15154@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
Joe Tremblay wrote:
>
> I would like to build some raised beds. Does anybody have suggestions
> for materials to use? I want to avoid traditional treated lumber. Is
> there anything low-cost that won't rot away in a few years? Imagine
> stone is my best bet.
>
> Joe
Joe . . .stone is pretty expensive unless you are near a natural source
where you can get it for free. It also depends what you want the raised
beds for . . .if it's just for gardening, you can simply use untreated
lumber. It's easy to construct and last for about 7 years. The host of
GARDENING NATURALLY . . . his name is "something" Coleman and he has
written a book recently that I saw at Barnes and Noble a few months ago.
I believe he talks about this method in his book. (I scanned contents,
but haven't puchased . . .yet) He nails a small strip of wood along the
entire length of his wooden sides. When he needs to he simply replaces
the bottom strip with another new piece. We like the untreated wood
methods best here. It looks more "natural" (LOL) and is easy to
maintain. HOWEVER, we do have several beds in the garden that are just
raised mounds of dirt. We till these areas in the spring and as we rake
and smooth, we rake the dirt up to form beds. That leaves a nice path
in between beds for walking and easier weeding (if there is such a
thing) Best wishes! Fern