Seal corners of raised bed?

[vapd]

I've just reclaimed a neglected raised bed. Well, it was built but never filled. I dug it and pulled out as many of the weed roots as I could but I was in a hurry to move the 900l bag of compost/soil mix I had delivered and so I've filled it already. It was built from untreated sleepers with large metal staples holding the corners in. But the sleepers have moved a bit since it was built and in the gaps created at the corners were quite a lot of snails, I removed these of course but was thinking it would be a good idea to seal these up. I have a load of silicone sealant and was wondering if this was safe to use next to veg growing? I guess it will need renewing reasonably regularly but I've ended up with a load of it.

[rustylady]

As far as I know silicone sealant won't harm plants.

[vapd]

I figured it was probably safe.

[taff]

dig out around the edges and slam them back into place with a lump hammer. Cheaper than silicon.

[taff]

Only if you have a lump hammer though...

[vapd]

Ha! If only I had a lump hammer!

[taff]

It is possible to do it provding you have a strong shovel or spade. Slam the edge down into the ground outside the wood, run the blade parallel to the wood and right up against it with the spade face facing you. Then lever the spade handle up against the wood, it'll move it.

Bit difficult to describe really......

[vapd]

I see what you mean. Dont trust the cheap tools I found in the shed though. One of the forks prongs bent almost straight away and then a second one did. Are there any decent tools for sale anywhere these days! I've read not.

[veggiechicken]

What about a piece of angle iron driven in on the inside corners - if you have any lying around

[vapd]

I do not know what angle iron is and I am sure I do not have any around.

[veggiechicken]

Its just a piece of metal that forms a right angle - sometimes used to construct shelving - like this B&Q Fencing Stake - 1.5M - Black, 5397007006988

[rustylady]

I see what you mean. Dont trust the cheap tools I found in the shed though. One of the forks prongs bent almost straight away and then a second one did. Are there any decent tools for sale anywhere these days! I've read not.

Try carboot sales. In my opinion tools are generally less well made these days, and good ones are expensive.

Having said that, you do need to make sure you are using the tools correctly. I managed to break my lovely stainless steel fork by using it as a lever. I knew I shouldn't, but I did

[bearded bloke]

Best bet here would be to get the corner back together tightly then knock several long nails in diagonally from alternate directions

[Bigmallly]

If you are not comfortable using tools, just nail/staple some polythene or black backs around the joints. That's a bit of a contradiction isn't it?...........

[vapd]

Thanks for all the input folks. Very helpful! I'll see what I can do.