Best edging for raised beds

[Jimmy]

A while ago I did a post on "raised beds from pallets"

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ets_43666.html

Obviously after time these rot and need replacing.

What do people think is the best edging.

Alternatives to pallets I have considered are ..
Decking boards, I did one bed from these and whilst OK the cost quite a lot.
Old flags edge on propped up with bricks.
The long concrete bases used on fences.

Any one tried any of the above ?

Jimmy

[Bigmallly]

Have you considered scaffold boards?

[alldigging]

Scaffold boards rot too.

[Bill HH]

Scaffold boards rot too.

They do rot eventualy but due to their thickness it takes quite a while. You can also paint them with modern oil based non toxic preservative which also makes them look good.

[Four Seasons]

You get what you pay for. If you want longevity then thick second hand polycarbonate sheets cut into plank lengths will last several years. Second hand decking (painted) will give you a good few years too. Painted gravel boards will do a good job but difficult to find second hand and you certainly don't want to be paying new prices. Upvc cladding planks will last donkeys years but will need supporting at 3ft intervals. Used glass fibre roof sheets cut into plank lengths will do an even better job if you can find them.
The only thing I would thank you for if you gave me pallet wood would be for firewood. Having to shift a load of soil every couple of years is no joke so any of the longer lasting solutions is more preferable even if it costs you in my view.

[Olorin2001]

Secondhand scaffold boards rot in about seven years (untreated)
The long concrete fence bases are called Gravel Boards.
Concrete path edging - 3 foot long, 6 inches high and 3 inches thick work very well - available down south here for £2.25 each which is comparable in cost to decking but will last forever, almost.

[wellywoo]

I have used both old decking and scaffold boards they have been in place for 3 years and so so good


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[Pies]

have you considered none ?

[roitelet]

You could give wooden boards, treated or not, a good coating of linseed oil to make them last longer.

[Jimmy]

Might try concrete path edging

Locally a quick surf gave

3 foot lengths
200 x 50mm x 915mm Round Top Path Edging - White £2.81 (inc VAT)

Whist 6 foot concrete fencing gravel boards are
6' x 1' Concrete Base Panel - Plain Faced £7.76 (inc VAT)

I seem to remember someone suggested you could get steel spikes quite cheap from the builder yard. Use them to support the Gravel boards etc. Anyone know on this ?
Thanks
Jimmy

[Alison]

Also do you mean edged or raised beds? I have edged beds with the soul level about level with paths. These are edged with wood which was treated before use and fine after several years. Wood came from a local timber merchant and whilst not cheap wasn't a bad price and much better than pallets. The frames are self supporting and will be easy to replace in the future as they mainly serve to form a demarcation between the bed and the path, keeping the soil of the bed and the path and the bark of the path where they should be. However if you want raised beds, the problem is much greater. The sides are hard work to replace as they support the soil and you have to consider the weight of that soil when selecting your construction material.

[Alison]

I do like the way my phone has changed soil to soul. The soil kind of is the soul of my plot

[alldigging]

Might try concrete path edging

Locally a quick surf gave

3 foot lengths
200 x 50mm x 915mm Round Top Path Edging - White £2.81 (inc VAT)

Whist 6 foot concrete fencing gravel boards are
6' x 1' Concrete Base Panel - Plain Faced £7.76 (inc VAT)

I seem to remember someone suggested you could get steel spikes quite cheap from the builder yard. Use them to support the Gravel boards etc. Anyone know on this ?
Thanks
Jimmy

They're not bad prices when you consider they will last forever.
The fence pins you mean?
They're not hugely expensive - but don't know if they're the right thing for the job.

[Jimmy]

Well I suppose they aren't really raised beds, and more edged beds.
Jimmy

[alldigging]

Charles Dowding says he just makes raised areas. He has used timber on a few beds this year on his new garden, but thinks they're just places for slugs to hide along.