Raised beds made from slates?

[deezyb]

Hi All - have an abundance of old slates left over from some roof work done a few years back, and thought I could use them to make up the edging of raised beds - overlapping them so as the soil would not fall out! Any thoughts on this at all? Is it better to use wood? Or I could use a Link-A-Bord (have one already), but thought I'd try and recycle!

Thanks, D

[SarzWix]

I can't see why you shouldn't use them, so long as the edges aren't sharp?

[Snadger]

Slates would look the part but I wonder whether the soil would force them apart? As has been mentioned might be a bit sharp on the paws if you inadverdently lean on one whilst planting etc.?

A wooden framework with slates around it would look neat and give a bit of strength I would think?

As you say, recycling is the name of the game so give it a go and post a few piccies (cos I have a few slates lying around and I'll use you as a guinee pig!)

[burnie]

Most slates in Angus tend to be on thick side so I bet they would be perfect and look great too.

[leicestershirelass]

Hi - we inherited some raised beds surrounded by slates that look quite nice, but as already stated the weight of the soil does tend to force them apart + some of the edges on them look as if they could do a bit of damage if you or anyone else was to slip over and fall on them.

We're planning to replace ours with wood .... maybe between us we can find an alternative use for left over slates!

[zazen999]

I've got a load of old tiles on my plot, and I use them for temporary seed beds; you can use as many as you need, hand dig that little patch, add whatever compost/fertiliser/coffee grounds you need, all within the confines of the little area. Then sow the seeds [usually brassicas, herbs, salads etc] - pop some slug/bug deterrent on [whatever you use] and then let it sprout. Once it is up, and running, you can remove the tiles and use them on the next small patch. then transplant/thin as necessary.

It is just sometimes nice to contain small sowings, esp when succession sowing plants that I don't want mollycoddled indoors. Works well with carrot and onion succession sowing through the spring and summer.

I also have small squares of wood made from battens that do the same job.

[Snadger]

..................... maybe between us we can find an alternative use for left over slates!

If you can cut them and then engrave them with the name of the plant, they make very ornate large labels for your veg or herbs!

[Jimmy]

In the lakes they have fields with slate fences so they must be durable !

[Jimmy]

In fact here is a clip from a video