Wooden Raised Beds Lining?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by BenTheMaynard, May 17, 2011.

  1. BenTheMaynard

    BenTheMaynard Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi All

    I am new so first apologies if this is in the wrong sub-forum!

    I have built (from tananised timber - 3 by 2) some raised beds around the edge of my patio.

    They are built on top of concrete with adequate drainage and are around 50mm high.

    My question is before I fill them with topsoil/compost should I line then with something (like pond liner) to help preserve the wood?

    As they are on concrete there is no need for any membrane to stop weeds growing.

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    I would if they're going to be there a while. Small drainage holes in the bottom though.
     
  3. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    I had some damp proof course plastic left over from another project that I put on the soil-side of the boards around my raised beds. I reckon its worth doing, but replacing the wood (apart from the hassle) is probably cheap than spending a lot of money on making the wood last just another year or two - for example Wood Preservative is probably not going to extend the life for long enough to be worth the cost of the preservative
     
  4. robgil

    robgil Gardener

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    If you are growing edible plants then line it.
     
  5. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    I wonder if the plasticisers are any more/less noxious than the tantalizer? :(
     
  6. Fidgetsmum

    Fidgetsmum Total Gardener

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    Tanalised wood (presuming here you've used pressure treated tanalised wood) should last about 10 years. Just to be sure, I'd paint several coats of wood preserver on the inside.

    Having used the right timber you won't have to worry about any water damage to your woodwork for years, but if it were me, I'd drop into somewhere like Wickes where you can buy a 2m x 3m tarpaulin (rip-stop nylon, so it won't tear) for just over £5, and I'd put a couple of layers of that in the bottom and around the sides (in one piece) ...... then, when you want to change the soil (which you may well do after a couple of years), you can 'decant' most of it using a spade, then just lift the tarpaulin and residual earth out cleanly.
     
  7. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    I'd line the raised bed for another reason, to help keep in moisture in the soil. You don't need anything expensive like a pond liner. I've used old thick poly bags that sand/ballast was delivered in to make a (not totally damp proof) membrane.
     
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