Pallet planters :)

[fmervin]

Hi all,

I have a lot of pallets lying around and thought why don't I convert them into useful planters for my greenhouse (when I put one up). They would make a useful salad bed and also a handy place to grow carrots.

Is this feasible? Anyone know of any good easy plans to make an easy planter? A 2x2 bed would be ideal to grow my salad in

Do I need to treat the wood? If so, any idea what is safe to use

[fmervin]

Anyone? If I can get some tips it will save me loads of money buying containers. I'm not after looks, something that will do the job

[HeyWayne]

I'd suggest all wood needs some form of treatment. Pallets are usually made of soft cheap wood so will rot down relatively quickly.

In my experience they're a bugger to take apart, but then I might just have difficult pallets.

Anything's worth a go though if it's free.

Be sure to post some photos of what you do make.

[fmervin]

Thanks for that Wayne, guess I'll just leave it as it is. Don't really care if it rots since I'll chuck it after the season is over. The thing that bothers me is, the chemicals in the treatment. I mean I don't want the stuff growing in it extracting the chemicals which will then get passed on to us. Or maybe I'm just being paranoid?

[Devdas73]

Its a pain to pull the pallets apart but, you can cut the pallets in half and pull the shorter pieces apart.And then screw the bits together.

I made some used half a pallet for the base and the planks pulled out for the sides and lined with compost bags.

The wood is pressure treated so it does contain chemicals, but linining it should keep them at bay and prevent the timber from excess damp.

[Two_Sheds]

Peter Seabrook makes them. He writes in Amateur Gardening & the Sun, but I can't find anything on t'internet.

this person made a shed out of pallets: Allotment Shed
Personally, I can't get the things apart.

[zazen999]

I pulled a couple apart a couple of weeks ago when I was having a small but virulent paddy. An hour later I had 2 more raised beds for the lottie. They were only small pallets as they came with the SMEG which we bought a couple of months ago. It's a struggle but tis possible. Big flat screwdriver to wedge them apart and hammered the nails that I couldn't get out flat into the wood. Then, just screwed together and bingo - job done.

[yorkshire sam]

I use lots of pallets for lots of things - I never treat the wood as I never know what chemicals are in the treatments. As for taking pallets apart I bought a large crow bar from a car boot a few years back only cost a couple of pounds and it makes short work of pallets. It paid for itself many times over not only in wood but saving my time which I consider equally as precious.

[trebellangeminired]

Check out what shall I put in this by squashysu : )

[Jimmy]

Check post at
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...anes_7574.html
Entry by Jimmy

[Jimmy]

They are very difficult to disassemble.
Not only do they have special nails that grip very well but they often rust in. Try giving each nail a large clowt on the top. This should unseat them a bit and make disassmbly easier.
You can also do things with bits of wood and G clamps to attempt to pry them appart. I considered making a small screw tool to pry them appart but never got time.

[Gary66]

Fortunately, we use some very well made pallets at work designed to support 3ton coil drums of wire and so I asked to take some for myself. They do take a bit of work to take them apart and get rid of all the nails, but the end result is they make great raised beds. Not lookers, but hey, if they work, fine. Just the right size too! As for the eventuality of rotting, I can just bring home another pallet an replace the slats as required!