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Sides For Raised Beds

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Muntin | 20:52 Tue 25th Apr 2017 | Home & Garden
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Anyone got any ideas for the best material for making the sides of raised beds?
Treated timber could release nasties into the soil, recycled plastic 'wood' is ideal but expensive.
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See also 'Commonly used materials' on the RHS website:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=428
We made ours with scaffolding boards sourced from a reclamation yard. They were treated with a 'natural' preservative recommended for the job and they have been going strong for a few years with no sign of deterioration.
I can't remember the exact one we used but it was similar to this.
http://eartheasy.com/eco-wood-treatment
We made ours with old railway sleepers that had been taken up when the local train service was decommissioned. Can be difficult to source, but they do a great job.
^^^ The problem with using old railways sleepers is that until fairly recently they were all coated in creosote and it's now illegal (under health & safety legislation) to use them in gardens.
old pallets are good....nice rustic look and only need a bit of treatment if not already treated ..some yards /garden centres give them away...pull them apart few screws....voila !
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Thanks all. Some very useful information. I have just found that we may be able to get some larch, which I believe to be fairly rot resistant. I am not yet sure if it is planked. Otherwise I might go for untreated sawn planks and coat them myself with something not too toxic.
Gravel boards might do ya.
The timber used is usually durable, as its meant to cope with permanent ground contact beneath fence panels.
I don't think their too expensive either. A set of 3 with one sawn in 1/2 for the ends, using corner brackets to attach them.
If you're aiming for the deep mulch method, could put another set on top.
Choose timber thats sourced from renewable forestry.

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