Using pallets in the garden

[rooftopvegplot]

I was surprised to see GYO recommending the use of recycled pallets as raised beds. Whilst they might get through a season or two without rotting, the effort of separating all those tacky pieces of wood and then nailing them together (screwing would be better) is hardly worth it.
My advice for raised bed construction is to use the thickest and most robust wood that you can. Pallet wood is often only 13mm thick, I'd recommend minimum 25mm thick, but better 50mm or even 75mm if you want a really lasting bed. It really doesn't cost much and will save hours of messing about later. Thin wood will rot very quickly and this will attract woodlice and slugs to your precious veg.
Use the pallets to make temporary leaf-mould stores or frames for a compost bin instead. That way you don't have to disassemble them.

[chris]

Woodlice aren't a pest anyway, as they feed on decaying matter.

[Bren In Pots]

I think its to do with the cost of buying wood or getting free pallets.

[Veggielot]

I think that there are a lot of uses for pallets they may not last as long as other solutions but the advantage is they are normally available for free. If you don't mind the work then for a low level raised beds then why not. I don't think that the mag is stating that it is the best way of making a raised bed, just one way of making them.

One thing I have learned since I have started growing is that there are many ways to do the same thing and I quite like to hear about them. I am not necessarily going to do any of them but I am always open to different ideas, it is then a cases of picking the idea that best suits you.

[rary]

I was surprised to see GYO recommending the use of recycled pallets as raised beds.

I did not see this article but if you make the frame with pallets then line the inside with plastic or poly sheeting the wood will last a considerable time

[Vince G]

Best use I've found for pallets is weighing down the sheeting I put on the lottie over the winter to keep the weeds down.

[Bill HH]

I have found decking boards to be ideal the heavy duty ones are 38mm thick and last for years. Lots of it available second hand.

[RedThorn]

It depends on the pallets too

Some are really good wood .... Too good for raised beds in our house

The one pallet was a solid 6 m x 6m no gaps between slat on 6x8 inch bearers .... A premade deck if ever I saw one ... Only problem was I could not get it home


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