Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 May 20, 2011 2:46 pm Hi all, We built out house last year, and now it’s finally time to start work on the backyard. I’d like to start setting up some raised beds for vegies, so it can all be ready well before spring time. I plan on setting up the raised beds at the very back of the house. They will run parallel to the back fence, so I’ve got at least 10 metres of length to work with (which would hopefully accommodate 3 or 4 raised beds). The width between the back fence and the concrete path is just over 2 metres. I’d like the raised beds to be right up against the concrete path, and for them to be about 1.2 metre wide, with the remaining 0.8 metre space (running along the back fence) to be used for fruit trees (espaliered, due to the limited space). Now, I have to choose the type of material to use for the raised beds. I’m currently considering between the following options: - treated pine sleepers (hoping they won’t warp, and concerned about the toxic factor) - redgum sleepers (hoping termites won’t be a problem) - recycled railway sleepers - colorbond raised garden beds - poly raised garden beds I’m on a tight budget, so that will definitely play a part in deciding. Has anyone seen the poly raised garden beds? I like the fact that they won’t rust or rot, and that you can choose from a range of colours to suit your house, etc. I’m wondering whether they are strong enough to keep their shape when filled with soil. I guess the same question goes for the colorbond beds as well. I have seen some that have a brace that keeps the two long sides from bowing out. I’d like the raised beds to be about 600mm high, and I’m even considering setting them up as wicking beds (if it doesn’t get too expensive). Is that a good height for this? Anyone set up a wicking bed, and if so, how did you go about doing it? Cheers, Pete Re: Raised garden beds: which way to go? 2May 20, 2011 3:12 pm There is also ACQ treated sleepers are not treated with arsenic. You can line the normal ACA sleepers with plastic if you are concerned about toxins leeching. I personally don't see the point of growing organic pesticide free vegies in arsenic treated timber beds. I have red gum beds and they warp btw. Re: Raised garden beds: which way to go? 3May 23, 2011 11:59 am Poly tends to expand and contract as the temperature fluctuates. Well, the stuff we had did and it was useless. Homestead Homes SA: The Lamont Bayswood Estate; Aldinga Beach Preliminary Signing: April 2010 Floorplans: 13 June 2010 Building Contract: 19 June 2010 Selections: 28 Sept 2010 Scraped; Trenching: 21 Jan 2011 Slab Poured: 28 Jan 2011 Framing: 17 Feb 2011 | Completed 24 Feb 2011 Roof & Gutters: 02 Mar 2011 Bricks: 03 Mar 2011 Wire-up: 12 Mar 2011 Re: Raised garden beds: which way to go? 4May 23, 2011 12:30 pm I am in the same situation. I am even thinking about bricking some walls. I saw on on a gardening show that the colorbond garden beds can 'bake' the soil - and the soil will pull away from the side thus all your water runs off and down. Plus they arn't cheap. Would love to hear more on this! Building with Life$tyle Homes in Perth SOR Key Dates on First Page of my Thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=38761 Re: Raised garden beds: which way to go? 5May 23, 2011 10:14 pm It does happen but it happens in certain situations. Do it right and its not an issue. Use a high grade soil. I don't find them at normal soil places Make sure there is a solid layer of mulch either tree lopper mulch or straw. 10cm is good. If water going down the sides is a problem you can review my how to water thread or use netafim techline AS. Also where possible, plant some native grasses in a few spots around the beds. They can be excellent habitat for native blue banded bees (they don't sting) and they are excellent pollinators Yeah mine about 9 metres long and 8 wide with slope of 25% at one point but the end point of the outlet is past the side of garage and if he concretes allowing for… 4 4547 4 9069 I have a really long hallway which is 1100mm W x 11500mm L I would appreciate if anyone can give suggestions to light it up with Linear LED lights that goes from wall to… 0 8822 |