Hello,

I am interested in making raised beds in the garden. I have not done
this before, so I have a couple of questions:

I am thinking of using wood due to cost, i.e. it is cheap. I see some
people use pressure treated decking boards like these:

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Premi...-2-4m/p/101000

Is this the best timber to use?

Is there a danger of the preservative leaching into the soil? I was
hoping to grow some vegetables to eat and do not want to poison
myself!

Some web sites suggest putting a plastic sheet between the wood and
the soil to prevent this contamination but other web sites do not
mention it; is it necessary?

What is the best way to screw four pieces of timber together to make a
rectangular raised bed? I was thinking that I would need to sue a
piece of 2x2 in each corner and screw into these. Half of the 2x2
could be buried in the ground to anchor it.

However, is anchoring necessary: will the weight of the soil no hold
it in place?

Do I need to 2x2 at all, as I have seen some beds where the ends have
been butted together and just screwed through.

What is the best way of doing things?

Thanks,
Stephen.

On 26/04/2017 15:15, Stephen wrote:

Do I need to 2x2 at all, as I have seen some beds where the ends have
been butted together and just screwed through.

I don't know the answer to your other questions, but I have used
decking, and I wouldn't attempt to screw into the end grain. You might
get away with it, particularly if you put glue in the holes.

On 26/04/17 15:15, Stephen wrote:
Hello,

I am interested in making raised beds in the garden. I have not done
this before, so I have a couple of questions:

I am thinking of using wood due to cost, i.e. it is cheap. I see some
people use pressure treated decking boards like these:

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Premi...-2-4m/p/101000

Is this the best timber to use?

wood will last about 5-7 years before it rots Whatever wood you use .


Is there a danger of the preservative leaching into the soil? I was
hoping to grow some vegetables to eat and do not want to poison
myself!

Some web sites suggest putting a plastic sheet between the wood and
the soil to prevent this contamination but other web sites do not
mention it; is it necessary?

What is the best way to screw four pieces of timber together to make a
rectangular raised bed? I was thinking that I would need to sue a
piece of 2x2 in each corner and screw into these. Half of the 2x2
could be buried in the ground to anchor it.

However, is anchoring necessary: will the weight of the soil no hold
it in place?

Do I need to 2x2 at all, as I have seen some beds where the ends have
been butted together and just screwed through.

What is the best way of doing things?


Concrete blocks or bricks, and mortar

Thanks,
Stephen.



--
Gun Control: The law that ensures that only criminals have guns.

On 26/04/2017 15:15, Stephen wrote:
Hello,

I am interested in making raised beds in the garden. I have not done
this before, so I have a couple of questions:

I am thinking of using wood due to cost, i.e. it is cheap. I see some
people use pressure treated decking boards like these:

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Premi...-2-4m/p/101000

Is this the best timber to use?

I used 6x2" tanalised softwood when I did mine about 5 years ago.

Is there a danger of the preservative leaching into the soil? I was
hoping to grow some vegetables to eat and do not want to poison
myself!

Most of them will be Chromiated Copper Arsenate (CCA) these days, and
research suggests that leaching into the soil over extended periods is
minimal.

Some web sites suggest putting a plastic sheet between the wood and
the soil to prevent this contamination but other web sites do not
mention it; is it necessary?

Not for that reason. You may find it improves water retention - but that
may not be a good thing.

What is the best way to screw four pieces of timber together to make a
rectangular raised bed? I was thinking that I would need to sue a
piece of 2x2 in each corner and screw into these. Half of the 2x2
could be buried in the ground to anchor it.

Corner blocks are easy:

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/Raised_flower_beds

However, is anchoring necessary: will the weight of the soil no hold
it in place?

For anything except a very small or tall bed I can't see anchoring being
required.

Do I need to 2x2 at all, as I have seen some beds where the ends have
been butted together and just screwed through.

You will get a stronger joint with a corner block.

If you want a really strong joint, then cut a finger joint into the ends!

What is the best way of doing things?

Not sure there is a "best" way - much depends on how difficult you want
to make it, and what tools you have available.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

made
On 26/04/17 15:15, Stephen wrote:
Hello,

I am interested in making raised beds in the garden. I have not done
this before, so I have a couple of questions:

I am thinking of using wood due to cost, i.e. it is cheap. I see some
people use pressure treated decking boards like these:

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Premi...-2-4m/p/101000

Is this the best timber to use?

Gravel boards are cheaper and just as good:
http://www.wickes.co.uk/search?text=gravel%20boards

Is there a danger of the preservative leaching into the soil? I was
hoping to grow some vegetables to eat and do not want to poison
myself!

I made my raised beds from pressure-treated gravel board, and have grown
and eaten several types of veg. As far as I am aware, I am not dead yet.

Some web sites suggest putting a plastic sheet between the wood and
the soil to prevent this contamination but other web sites do not
mention it; is it necessary?

There is a school of thought that this leads to water being trapped
between the polythene and the wood, and actually shortens the life of
the wood, but I do not use polythene so can't comment.

What is the best way to screw four pieces of timber together to make a
rectangular raised bed? I was thinking that I would need to sue a
piece of 2x2 in each corner and screw into these. Half of the 2x2
could be buried in the ground to anchor it.

I used lengths of cut arris rail at each corner:
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Arris...x2-4m/p/543318

However, is anchoring necessary: will the weight of the soil no hold
it in place?

If the ground is level, no. But if it is on a slope, I would anchor it
in some way otherwise it might move slowly down the slope.

Do I need to 2x2 at all, as I have seen some beds where the ends have
been butted together and just screwed through.

They won't last. Clay soil drying out and getting soaked will move
houses. What do you think it will do to a raised bed held together so
inadequately?

What is the best way of doing things?

A cheap way, if you can find someone who is getting rid of old 2 x 2
paving slabs, is to bury these on edge up to half in the soil, and make
beds with multiple slabs next to each other. These will be pretty
stable in loam or clay soil, but not in sandy soil. They won't look
particularly nice, and will move slightly over time, but if they're free...

--

Jeff

On Wed, 26 Apr 2017 16:06:48 +0100, John Rumm
wrote:

Most of them will be Chromiated Copper Arsenate (CCA) these days, and
research suggests that leaching into the soil over extended periods is
minimal.


Not likely nowadays, it's more likely to be an organic copper
compound.

AJH

On Wed, 26 Apr 2017 15:15:01 +0100, Stephen
wrote:

Hello,

I am interested in making raised beds in the garden. I have not done
this before, so I have a couple of questions:

I am thinking of using wood due to cost, i.e. it is cheap. I see some
people use pressure treated decking boards like these:

What is the best way of doing things?

Not necessarily the best way but if the size suits you then using
pallet collars can be a quick way to get started ,
this sort of thing as shown on this ebay link
https://tinyurl.com/kzbpz4v

They stack on top of each other,
Lick of fence paint on the outside and they can look fairly
respectable.

G.Harman

On 26/04/2017 15:44, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 26/04/17 15:15, Stephen wrote:
Hello,

I am interested in making raised beds in the garden. I have not done
this before, so I have a couple of questions:

I am thinking of using wood due to cost, i.e. it is cheap. I see some
people use pressure treated decking boards like these:

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Premi...-2-4m/p/101000

Is this the best timber to use?

wood will last about 5-7 years before it rots Whatever wood you use .

That isn't quite true if you use opepe. Sea defences often use it. it
can survive naturally in very hostile environments without treatment.

http://eastbros.co.uk/timber-species/opepe

Hell to work with since you have to drill and bolt everything together
it shatters if you try to nail it. The fences at my parents were made of
it 50 years ago and show no signs of deterioration apart from the
surface having turned grey with age. They were bargain offcuts from the
dye industry filter makers. Only wood that could stand the environment.

Buried it does eventually rot but very slowly and takes 20-30 years.

Is there a danger of the preservative leaching into the soil? I was
hoping to grow some vegetables to eat and do not want to poison
myself!

Some web sites suggest putting a plastic sheet between the wood and
the soil to prevent this contamination but other web sites do not
mention it; is it necessary?

Probably not necessary to prevent leaching but keeping the wet soil away
from the timber will extent the life of the wood considerably.

What is the best way to screw four pieces of timber together to make a
rectangular raised bed? I was thinking that I would need to sue a
piece of 2x2 in each corner and screw into these. Half of the 2x2
could be buried in the ground to anchor it.

However, is anchoring necessary: will the weight of the soil no hold
it in place?

It won't blow away if that's what you mean, but the weight of soil
inside will try to bend the planks outwards when you fill it.

Do I need to 2x2 at all, as I have seen some beds where the ends have
been butted together and just screwed through.

Use at least 3x3 fence post lengths at the corners.
2x2 will snap and/or rot away completely inside a couple of years.

Dig the posts in a decent depth too - do not underestimate the weight of
soil that needs to be held back (depending on how raised the bed is).

What is the best way of doing things?

Concrete blocks or bricks, and mortar

+1

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

On 26/04/2017 15:15, Stephen wrote:
Hello,

I am interested in making raised beds in the garden. I have not done
this before, so I have a couple of questions:
snip
What is the best way of doing things?

Fascinated by this chap on Gardeners World last week.
Did a quick search and found this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIojWdJz0RE

Step by step "guide for dummies"

On 26/04/17 15:15, Stephen wrote:
Hello,

I am interested in making raised beds in the garden. I have not done
this before, so I have a couple of questions:

I am thinking of using wood due to cost, i.e. it is cheap. I see some
people use pressure treated decking boards like these:

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Premi...-2-4m/p/101000

Is this the best timber to use?

Is there a danger of the preservative leaching into the soil? I was
hoping to grow some vegetables to eat and do not want to poison
myself!

Some web sites suggest putting a plastic sheet between the wood and
the soil to prevent this contamination but other web sites do not
mention it; is it necessary?

What is the best way to screw four pieces of timber together to make a
rectangular raised bed? I was thinking that I would need to sue a
piece of 2x2 in each corner and screw into these. Half of the 2x2
could be buried in the ground to anchor it.

However, is anchoring necessary: will the weight of the soil no hold
it in place?

Do I need to 2x2 at all, as I have seen some beds where the ends have
been butted together and just screwed through.

What is the best way of doing things?

Thanks,
Stephen.


You could use western red cedar or thermowood to avoid the problems with
preservatives. Thermowood is decking that been cooked and is fairly rot
resistant. Sometimes B&Q have it.

Red cedar is not cheap but pretty rot resistant untreated (not as much
as teak though).

On 26/04/17 15:20, GB wrote:
On 26/04/2017 15:15, Stephen wrote:

Do I need to 2x2 at all, as I have seen some beds where the ends have
been butted together and just screwed through.

I don't know the answer to your other questions, but I have used
decking, and I wouldn't attempt to screw into the end grain. You might
get away with it, particularly if you put glue in the holes.



Just put a 2x2" batten down each inside corner and screw into that.

On 26/04/17 15:44, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 26/04/17 15:15, Stephen wrote:
Hello,

I am interested in making raised beds in the garden. I have not done
this before, so I have a couple of questions:

I am thinking of using wood due to cost, i.e. it is cheap. I see some
people use pressure treated decking boards like these:

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Premi...-2-4m/p/101000


Is this the best timber to use?

wood will last about 5-7 years before it rots Whatever wood you use .

Not true.

On 27/04/2017 10:06, Tim Watts wrote:
On 26/04/17 15:15, Stephen wrote:
Hello,

I am interested in making raised beds in the garden. I have not done
this before, so I have a couple of questions:

I am thinking of using wood due to cost, i.e. it is cheap. I see some
people use pressure treated decking boards like these:

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Premi...-2-4m/p/101000


Is this the best timber to use?

Is there a danger of the preservative leaching into the soil? I was
hoping to grow some vegetables to eat and do not want to poison
myself!

Some web sites suggest putting a plastic sheet between the wood and
the soil to prevent this contamination but other web sites do not
mention it; is it necessary?

What is the best way to screw four pieces of timber together to make a
rectangular raised bed? I was thinking that I would need to sue a
piece of 2x2 in each corner and screw into these. Half of the 2x2
could be buried in the ground to anchor it.

However, is anchoring necessary: will the weight of the soil no hold
it in place?

Do I need to 2x2 at all, as I have seen some beds where the ends have
been butted together and just screwed through.

What is the best way of doing things?

Thanks,
Stephen.


You could use western red cedar or thermowood to avoid the problems with
preservatives. Thermowood is decking that been cooked and is fairly rot
resistant. Sometimes B&Q have it.

Red cedar is not cheap but pretty rot resistant untreated (not as much
as teak though).

Red Cedar is nice but really expensive at the moment. You would probably
find English white oak (also durable without treatment) cheaper.

Another option can be reclaimed railway sleepers. Just lay them up like
large lego bricks, drill a hole a knock a spike in at the corners.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

Stephen wrote:
Hello,

I am interested in making raised beds in the garden. I have not done
this before, so I have a couple of questions:

I am thinking of using wood due to cost, i.e. it is cheap. I see some
people use pressure treated decking boards like these:

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Premi...-2-4m/p/101000

Is this the best timber to use?

Is there a danger of the preservative leaching into the soil? I was
hoping to grow some vegetables to eat and do not want to poison
myself!

Some web sites suggest putting a plastic sheet between the wood and
the soil to prevent this contamination but other web sites do not
mention it; is it necessary?

What is the best way to screw four pieces of timber together to make a
rectangular raised bed? I was thinking that I would need to sue a
piece of 2x2 in each corner and screw into these. Half of the 2x2
could be buried in the ground to anchor it.

However, is anchoring necessary: will the weight of the soil no hold
it in place?

Do I need to 2x2 at all, as I have seen some beds where the ends have
been butted together and just screwed through.

What is the best way of doing things?

Thanks,
Stephen.

If you are doing to assist a disabled gardener, then don't make the beds
too wide as the use might not be able to reach into the middle!

I got this wrong when I did mine for SWMBO and now I have to do various
jobs in the centre of the beds and I hate gardening!

Long and narrow is the best arrangement.

I also laid in 15mm copper pipe and a valve into the corner of each bed
and connected seep hose to each valve. This allows timed automatic
watering with the option to adjust the flow rate in each bed from 0 to 100%
During wettest months the water feed is turned off and an extra valve
opened (belt and braces possibly) so that freezing does not force the
joints apart.

On 26/04/2017 15:15, Stephen wrote:
Hello,

I am interested in making raised beds in the garden. I have not done
this before, so I have a couple of questions:

I am thinking of using wood due to cost, i.e. it is cheap. I see some
people use pressure treated decking boards like these:

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Premi...-2-4m/p/101000

Is this the best timber to use?

Is there a danger of the preservative leaching into the soil? I was
hoping to grow some vegetables to eat and do not want to poison
myself!

Some web sites suggest putting a plastic sheet between the wood and
the soil to prevent this contamination but other web sites do not
mention it; is it necessary?

What is the best way to screw four pieces of timber together to make a
rectangular raised bed? I was thinking that I would need to sue a
piece of 2x2 in each corner and screw into these. Half of the 2x2
could be buried in the ground to anchor it.

However, is anchoring necessary: will the weight of the soil no hold
it in place?

Do I need to 2x2 at all, as I have seen some beds where the ends have
been butted together and just screwed through.

What is the best way of doing things?

Thanks,
Stephen.



I built 3 large raised beds
I do not like idea of wood being in contact with ground - especially
ground you need to keep moist.

I built mine out of 100mm concrete block ... then battened and clad
outer face with wood and fitted wood 'cill' capping.

More work - but will last a lot longer .... unless you use sleeps or
similar ...decking won't last that long.