Planter advice

Hi, great idea, I love the design. Unfortunately I can't offer much advice, but we built our tall raised bed from sleepers (2 high) I've got to say I think it looks great and is perfect for carrots etc. we didn't line it but in hindsight I think we should have. It's been there about 5/6 years now with no problems but I do worry it will deteriorate eventually (don't we all) good luck with it, I love a new project

 

Hi FC,
I ain't much good on this one but if I were you I'd put a tag/mention ( whatever it's called now ) out for Radiation91 as he's done a lot of stuff like this. ( I can't do that sort of thing offa me phone :( ).

 

Top layer would surely need to go to the floor as would never support the weight of the soil?
We used rough sawn timber and lined the inside with damp proofing stuff. I also painted it all before we built it up.
I think it cost about £40 all in with the posts, spiky joining things (technical term!) and wood.

I like your design, reminds me of @Sheal 's tiered bed and I love that.

 

We built our raised beds out of treated timber from the wood yard. We have lined them with heavy duty plastic. One of the beds was made with fence posts cut to long lengths with staggered joints like brickwork. You can make it as high as you want.

 

There was no separation in the tiers of my bed FC. The soil was piled up until the top tier of wood could be laid and both tiers were held in place and together with corner posts on each angle. There are no liners in the bed and all that's supporting both tiers is what you can see. There is a little bit of soil seepage under the top tier and I would expect that with a sandy soil but it's minimal and is topped up from time to time with compost etc. The woodwork is railway sleepers held in place with 4'x 4' posts. The bed was built in 2008 and the posts are beginning to rot on top but that's par for the course on the island because of it's climate. A tree stake will rot through at the base in two years! Apart from an initial coating of preservative the wood hasn't been coated since as I wanted it to weather.

2008








2015

 

Thanks FC. Why do you think it needs a base? I would also take the soil level to the ground on both tiers to give you more planting depth.

I think @JWK is the man to help you out with this.

 

I realise you have to be careful and building a self contained unit is the way to go but I wouldn't put a base in it or attach legs as it will rot through eventually and you won't see that happening.

I'd invest in some large slabs and cover the original patio and the gravel with these. In fact you could use the same to stand on end to protect the fence. This will also scrap the need for sheet material as drainage will be straight on to the slabs.

 

Hi FC,

I'm not offering any advice here as this is a bit above my expertise but I have a question......

Who do you rent off as our local council/housing association would welcome what your proposing as an improvement ?

I presume that you intend staying for a considerably time so if it's a private rental couldn't you just inform the owner (s) and show them what you intend to do ?
Then you could make thus project a more permanent feature.

 

I'd go for building up from the ground also.
I don't think there's any advantage of a floating back tier, extra compost is always good for root space also!

I know your feeling about rented accommodation!
I've had to make countless things "removable" even my shed.

The above seems the best option for longevity, decking boards and landscape fabric, but if you're looking to grow things to eat, i'd stay away from any treated wood and make sure it's protected from moisture by lining the inside with plastic (i used old sand bags, anything that'll stop the soil touching the wood and rotting it in no time)

The only way around it would be to use a hardwood that is not prone to rotting, although i can't think of any examples now (MIND BLANK!!!) Especially if you are thinking of eating anything made in said planter. Although this is more expensive...