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NNPG List Of Forums => Gardening and Farming => Topic started by: ken_ on April 07, 2018, 07:35:02 PM
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Looking for thoughts on material to build raised beds. My thought was to use wood. My SO thinks galvanized metal would be easier. Both would cost about the same. The wood beds would be a little easier to build, but metal would give me an excuse to buy a new tool (SawzAll or something like that to cut the metal). My main concerns about metal beds are insulation and chemicals leaching out of the galvanizing and into the plants. Wood seems like it wouldn't heat up the soil as much in the summer and would better insulate during the winter. Are those valid concerns or not? Any input is appreciated.
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I'd go with wood, untreated rough cut (if you can find it). Cedar will last a long time whereas other woods may decompose after a few years.
I too don't like the galvanized metal idea due to leaching of tin and zinc. Not that these will particularly harm you or your plants, but I'd just avoid the potential problem entirely. Put that metal on your roof instead.
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I went with the cedar wood about 10 years ago and they are still in good shape.
If I were to do it again I would still use wood.
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https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/garden-styles-and-types/a-raised-bed-twist-straw-bale-gardening Here is another method of "raised beds" though it consumes a bit more real estate to do so. It is also possible to plant certain plants directly into the straw. Straw gives you better insulation than either wood or metal, doesn't leach and may not last as long as cedar but can be repurposed after the bales have fallen apart - or even rebailed. The down side, the straw bales might very well become home to a number of critters that will eat your veggies.
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I can attest to the "critters" liking straw. I had a raised potato bed which had 12-18 inches of straw on top. Great big potatoes, but also some were nibbled on by something because they were easily accessible in the straw.
I'd still go with the straw, either used to build the walls of the bed or loose straw added as the plants grow taller. This works particularly well with potatoes, but other plants benefit from a straw top layer.
Opinion: Planting directly in the top of a straw bail will mean that the plants need extra nutrient addititions since the straw, by itself, is pretty low in everything but nitrogen. A manure tea is a good start and adding trace minerals will make the plants happy.
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Ken, We use wood up here. Just plain ol run of the mill lumber without treating it.
Have it in the both hoophouses and one outside bed and it's as good as the day I put it in.
Our two straw bales have finally played out, used them on the swales for cover when we took them down.
There is mixed opinions on treated wood. Some say it leaches, some say it leaches so slowly and not far enough into the soil to make a difference.
I just don't want it there since we grow organic so regular lumber.
Vic