Return to article: How to Make Raised Flower Beds
on 2/1/2009 Can I use store pallets like the one stores have merchandise shipped on???
on 10/1/2008 I have terible clay, AND a slope that leads to rain drainage problems. You've answered my concerns-Thanks!
on 5/13/2008 great ideas!!
on 2/18/2008 The current status on using pressure-treated lumber to build raised beds in which food will be planted is: DON'T. It leaches chromium, copper, and arsenic into edibles. Build with redwood or cedar, and seal it with an oil-based sealant. DON'T use railroad ties or telephone poles for the same reason--they are treated with creosote, another toxic substance.
on 2/18/2008 The current status on using pressure-treated wood for raised beds in which food will be grown is: Don't! It leaches arsenic, chromium, and copper into food plants. Use cedar or redwood, and seal it with an oil-based sealer. Never use railroad ties or telephone poles either as creosote is just as bad!
on 5/31/2007 Instead of looking in the Yellow Pages for a source of topsoil, consider stopping by your local garden center to see the quality. They can ususlly deliver quality topsoil and save you money. Or call 1.800.TOPSOIL, see the members nationwide at http://www.1800topsoil.com/
on 8/8/2006 Redwood, I am told, is very good at being rot-resistant. And as I understand it, deck screws will be the best for holding the bed together for a long time (not popping out like nails eventually would and not rusting). And just because I haven't seen these tips here yet: don't go more than 6 feet without some sort of bracing stake, otherwise the earth will bow out your wood. I've heard that 2" x 6" boards work well, nailed to 4x4 post/stakes at the corners.
on 8/8/2006 A 2000 study from NC State found that arsenic in garden beds that used pressure treated lumber was not significantly different from control soils. Soil near the lumber did have higher levels of arsenic, but not near harmful levels.
on 11/22/2005 Pressure-treated timbers generally ocntain TOXIC heavy metals. Most conventional pressure-treated wood is treated with CCA (cadmium copper arsenate). This was recently phased out by the EPA because of its toxicity. The newer pressure treated wood is ACQ (ammonium copper quarternate) - a less toxic, but still risky preservative.Alternatives: Use naturally rot resistant woods such as cedar (red, white, or northern), black locust, cypress, and others. Alos, use untreated wood and simply replace it in 5-20 years, depending upon your climate.
on 11/22/2005 I didn't want to spend a fortune on a raised flower bed, so this brilliant idea entered my brain to use a child's plastic pool. Use brick-type stones to raise it off the group. Fill it with gravel, sand, and potting soil. Then add the flower seeds. Poke holes in the bottom of the pool so the excess water can run out.
on 11/22/2005 Pipes with holes in them should be placed holes down, not holes up.
on 11/22/2005 I made several raided, large raised beds and added new topsoil to replace my own damp clay material. This worked wonders for all of my beds.
on 11/22/2005 Instead of gravel and sand at the bottom of the raised bed, people also use plastic PVC pipe with holes drilled in the part of the pipe that is facing up. This allows drainage without the expense and effort of hauling in bags or wheelbarrows of gravel and sand.Lay the pipe lengthwise inside the bed. More than one pipe may be used depending on the width of the bed. The length of pipe may be extended by adding more sections depending on the length of the bed.
on 11/22/2005 RR ties can contain creosote. This chemical could leech into your veggie crop. I would think twice about using them for this purpose. They also concern me with children in the yard, playing around them.
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