Re: Raised Garden Beds

Jul 13, 2003 3 Replies

Hello,


  1. No preference to cedar over redwood, in my opinion. Use what you like.
  2. Sealing is a good idea to prevent rot.
  3. Don't use the gravel -- not necessary, since raising the bed in itself provides the required drainage.

HTH,



-- pelirojaroja



----------------------------------------------- "There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again."


-- Elizabeth Lawrence


Hi, hope someone can help. I am going to make some raised garden beds.
> I did a search on this group and did not get any hits. I have three
> questions I hope someone can help me with. First, is there any reason
> to prefer cedar over redwood? I notice that most commercial wooden
> raised beds are cedar. Second, is it necessary or helpful to seal the
> wood somehow, particularly the ends? Third, is it necessary or helpful
> to lay down a few inches of gravel on the bottom for drainage? Some
> things I have read say yes, but others seem to say you should not so
> that plants with deep roots can get down to the native soil if they need
> to. Thanks in advance for your advice! Sanford.
>

Cedar vs. Redwood -- Longevity and cost. In the big scheme of things it likely will not matter.

Sealing the wood/ends -- Helps ease rot a bit, but many beds do not bother. I'd shy away from any chemicals though -- who wants that in any garden?

Gravel -- Nah, don't bother. It's not necessary.

James

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List

formatting link
the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the endorsements or recommendations I make.

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required