My vegie garden and backyard

TheGardenWhisperer · Dec 29, 2009 10:50 pm

That is the very thing that you must check when selecting a raised bed. many sold are just cut, then have some rubber or even poly tube inserted over the top. You don't want to be the one who finds out it has come off or perished

Choose one that has a rolled edge

to_do_list · Dec 29, 2009 10:53 pm

Fu Manchu

That is the very thing that you must check when selecting a raised bed. many sold are just cut, then have some rubber or even poly tube inserted over the top. You don't want to be the one who finds out it has come off or perished

Choose one that has a rolled edge

Fair point of clarification...I was thinking about them a while ago and I inquired with the ebay dude...says it's rolled.

Ari · Dec 30, 2009 9:40 am

That's why I was asking. I'm sure I'd be the one to trip and land on it.

lisanne · Jun 24, 2010 4:35 pm

I'm resurrecting this thread - I'm wanting (hoping) to start construction in my holidays and thinking that I will just start with 2 of the vegie beds first just to get it all going and then build on it as funds allow.

I am going to build them out of wood and probably 30-50cm deep/high - still not sure on what kind of wood yet - need to get some up to date prices.
Mitre 10 also seem to have these vegie bed kits that you can buy and they are only $69 - hrmm!

kek · Jun 24, 2010 6:12 pm

As long as it holds the soil in, it'll work - how long it lasts might be debatable, but at least you can get started. You already know the important stuff about prepping the soil, so you'll be good to go by the time all the seedlings are available in Spring. Or are you going for seeds to save $$?

lisanne · Jun 24, 2010 6:20 pm

kek

As long as it holds the soil in, it'll work - how long it lasts might be debatable, but at least you can get started. You already know the important stuff about prepping the soil, so you'll be good to go by the time all the seedlings are available in Spring. Or are you going for seeds to save $$?

Not sure about seeds or not just yet - I haven't quite got that far into it hehehe Although because I plan to set it up like a no dig garden I should be able to start planting straight away from the Bulleen Art And Garden website:

Quote:

stack alternating layers of fine and coarse compostable materials. For example; start
with a layer of lucerne, then a thin layer of cow manure, then a layer of compost, and then repeat the layers
finishing with a thick compost layer.

I just got some prices from Mitre10 and if I change the size of the beds to 1.2mx1.5m then it should cost about $50 per bed in treated pine and then I will get some black plastic to line the sides of the bed (not the bottom!).
I'm also thinking that I will use some wooden pickets to hold it all together one on the outside of each corner (so two on each corner) and then when I fill the bed the pressure pushing against the pickets will hold it all in place

lisanne · Jun 24, 2010 6:44 pm

I'd prefer to get my hands on some recycled wood though

oze · Jun 25, 2010 10:19 am

Lisa I really wouldn't use treated pine for raised garden beds even though they claim it's inert. I wouldn't take the chance with leaching chemicals. The older the wood the worse the chemicals used to treat (we still sell CCA in Australia although banned in most countries). Don't rely on plastic backing (leaches it's own chemcicals/gases) to protect your soil and veggies either. Seek other alternatives, many organic gardening books offer advice and so do certifying organic companies. Just my opinion/advice so you have a healthier garden and body.

onc_artisan · Jun 25, 2010 10:37 am

+1^^
No CCA treated wood.

englyn · Jun 25, 2010 3:29 pm

You might be surprised how cheap it is to get a bricky in to build them with cement. I think ours charged about $200 for the equivalent of 3 beds.

Also, have you checked scrap yards. Slices of old rainwater tanks in a layout like the olympic rings comes to mind... old bathtubs or maybe even old jarrah wardrobes if you're into shabby chic... old fridges even

Richo · Jun 28, 2010 1:33 pm

I would check the prices on 200 x 75 redgum sleepers, from both the landscape supplier at the Bridge Inn Rd roundabout, and also at Aumanns. It will last well, the one where I am at the moment is 15+ years old, and the bottom edge of the sleeper is only just starting to show wear.

These wouldn't even need to be staked into the ground, once bolted together and full of soil they wont move!

With a brother that is an apprentice chippy, he should be able to find some coach bolts to tie it together. 2 high gives you 400mm above ground height, perfect!

The cutting of them to size would take the longest out of everything, but I rekon you could knock up a couple in an afternoon over a couple of beers (after the cutting is done).

lisanne · Jun 28, 2010 5:29 pm

Thanks Richo, I'm going to speak to my brother about it in a few days

Brickies really aren't cheap to hire

lisanne · Jul 01, 2010 1:19 pm

I've had a great idea on obtaining recycled wood!! Well providing I can get them into my car that is -ssssh- I will divulge it in time!

kexkez · Jul 01, 2010 9:57 pm

yes please LIsanne. Am having probs finding anyone down here with the corrugated metal veggie gardens. sigh

Deemaree · Jul 01, 2010 11:11 pm

kexkez

yes please LIsanne. Am having probs finding anyone down here with the corrugated metal veggie gardens. sigh

Kexkez, try these guys...http://www.birdiesgardenproducts.com.au/, they deliver-just email and they get back to you pretty quickly with prices....

lisanne · Jul 10, 2010 12:02 am

Ok so I've started the construction of my vegie garden beds! (Yes there will be photo's once it's completed!) The size of them are 95cm by 190cm and about 30-40cm high. Now I am wanting to fill them with a layer of hay/or similar, then a layer of composted cow manure and then compost on top - which is the cheapest way to fill two of these? I can buy it all from bunnings in bag's but I'm really not sure if that's best or to get a trailer load or 2 of stuff?? what do people think??

Deemaree · Jul 10, 2010 12:04 am

Call your local garden supply centre- it will work out much cheaper, even including delivery....

lisanne · Jul 10, 2010 9:53 pm

Deemaree

Call your local garden supply centre- it will work out much cheaper, even including delivery....

I reckon you may be right - I will do some maths once I get prices

Deemaree · Jul 10, 2010 9:54 pm

Sounds like me-have calculator, will garden!

lisanne · Jul 12, 2010 12:20 pm

Deemaree

Sounds like me-have calculator, will garden!

Hehehhehe

Ok so I've gone looking at my favourite garden nursery's website (www.baag.com.au) and they have a vegie blend soil mix:

Quote:

Vegetable Mix
50% Premium Soil, 25% Cow Manure, 25% Certified Organic Compost
Vegetable Mix is designed specifically to be used in new vegie & herb gardens. It can also be used in annual and rose beds.
USES:
· Vegetable and Herb gardens
· Annuals and Rose gardens

http://www.baag.com.au/?page_id=268

So I am thinking that I might just get that for my vegie garden beds - work out how much I need and then decide if it's worthwhile getting it delivered or getting a trailer load - most likely getting it delivered though as they aren't exactly close by.