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This question is actually from my dad:
He really wants to build a few raised beds in the backyard to accommodate my mother's ever expanding vegetable garden; however, he wants to do it on the cheap and he doesn't really want to use wood, which he worries would rot over time.
Use the faux wood that's become popular for use as decking. It won't be free, but it won't rot. Maybe a combo of faux wood and small weave chicken wire? At least that would make a sturdy frame.
view laila's profile
I'm looking to replace my raised beds in a few years, myself, and from the look of things if you want cheap, wood is about it. On the other hand, a good solid wood construction will last a long time -- from what I can gather my beds were built in 1990, and despite some rot they're still functional. I've been told that if I replace some of the wood, I could get another ten years out of them.
view Eucritta's profile
I see regular waterings of any soil encased in stone work slowly shifting the stones and seeping out. wood is definitely the way to go. I didn't realize that wood was considered a not-so-long-lasting material?
view amt230's profile
Be careful with what sort of wood you use. Permapine is treated with chemicals (the old sort uses CCA which contains arsenic - not good in your veggie patch!). Old railway sleepers are another favourite but they too can be treated or contain a lot of chemicals from passing trains. Last time I checked there was a fair bit of info on this on the web. You probably need to look at some sort of hardwood but I suspect it won't be all that cheap.
view hughbert's profile
I found some more on this since I am looking at doing something similar myself.
CCA info - why to not use it:
http://www.origen.net/arsenic.html
Tanalised timber - using a natural preservative:
http://www.planeandsimple.co.uk/pages/home.asp?content_id=6
Some people also suggest contacting scaffolding companies who often have scaffolding planks they can no longer use and are glad to get rid of.
Good luck!
view hughbert's profile
One more point: some people have used old pallets successfully, sourced from transport companies etc. I don't know how this wood has been treated but it could be worth looking into.
view hughbert's profile
In truth, there is nothing better than untreated cedar, which will last a very, very long time; it will silver, resist the elements, and be perfect for this job. The issue that I have with non-wood materials is their tendency to leach chems into the soil, which you do not want with vegetables
view Elissa Altman's profile
It depends of the style that your father wants, I suggest bricks (not only brick as everyone imagine them but also painted) for a stronger design.
One of my favorite materials for out door construction is cor-ten steel, you can use it very easly for the raised beds so you can create geometrical or wavy forms and have a beautiful color and texture.
view glaukopis's profile
There is a product called Everwood, made by Timber Pro in Oregon, that would be great. It basically is a safe way to treat wood to make it last a very long time. Used on cedar, it would be great for beds like you are discussing.
http://www.timberprocoatings.com/technicalinfo.htm
view ecohaus's profile