Raised beds from pallet wood

[krazy_krok]

Hi all,

i've obtained some pallets from a skip and want to make some raised beds for my lottie( x2 2.4m and x1 1.2m). I've chopped them down so each one has stumps left on which i'll set in the ground and then nail together to make the beds. I've got x14 2.4m boards, x7 1.2m boards and x4 1m boards now i've cut them down. Boards are only 4inch wide, will this be deep enough?

Anybody have any sugestions on any good designs? Should i keep them simple and rectangular, or make them larger but a managle shape to get to the veg(L shape for instance). Saw on gardeners world Joe Swift made triangular beds, but don't know how good these were for growing?

Also what's best to fill the beds with? Got a wholesalers card so can buy bulk bags of multipurpose compost for a reasonable price(about x5 75 Litre bags for a tenner, even cheaper for 30). Is this ok or would i be better with topsoil enriched with some Blood,Fish and Bone?

Should i treat the wood and what with?

Thanx in advance for any help

Krazy_krok

[zazen999]

Anytime I've got extra wood, I make up small beds, and move them around the lottie - I don't suppose it matters what shape as long as you are happy - the veg certainly won't mind! If they aren't deep enough, you could put one on top of the other, I do this for carrots.

I'd fill it with whatever you can get your hands on...if the soil below is clayey and you fill it with compost, try and fork it up a bit to mix it up so you don't end up with a 'pan'.

[Capsid]

The best size for a raised bed is a 4 foot width which allows you to reach into the bed without stepping on it.

[chuffa]

I agree with Capsid, any wider and you will have to over- stretch. My beds are 4ftx10ft. You can also use a strong plank width ways over the bed so that you can walk on for when you want to weed or seed.

[bobleponge]

I would probably have mine double depth, 2 bits on top of the other as my soil is heavy clay, which would stunt root growth for carrots, parsnips etc.
Otherwise, as Zazen says, shape size etc not really important, although 4ft would probably be wide enough I think. Ex Mme Leponge was only 5ft tall, and she struggled to reach across the 4ft beds.