What to make raised beds out of?

[jrose_lee]

Hello!

My sister just contacted me and wants to make raised beds for her garden. She isn't sure what to make it out of and has the following concerns:

"wood rots (and could possibly contain chemicals). plastics are just bad. tires leach. we really wanted to do either cement or brick, but mortar and cement both contain fly ash. which they are totting as "green" but really is a waste product from burning coal. which has heavy metals. it leaches toxins like; arsenic, lead, and mercury! yikes! does it say anything about raised beds on any of your sites? what would you do? i don't want to go crazy from our garden!"

Anyone know what would be a good thing to make them from? I told her I'd check on it.

Thanks!
jessica

[JessicaS]

I use untreated cedar, which can be expensive. I just don't buy a lot at once.

[gmvh]

Untreated cedar here, too.

[ctrygirlatheart]

I have used plywood with cedar posts at the corners and middle as I didn't have enough money to use all cedar. It has held up well over the last three years although I know it won't last forever.

[goldfinches]

We used cedar, also. It cost us about $40 or so per box, so I was able to build about 2 a year.

[JessicaS]

Originally Posted by goldfinches

We used cedar, also. It cost us about $40 or so per box, so I was able to build about 2 a year.

Yeah I build about two a year as well.


Cedar is nice, it won't last forever but I think it is one of the better options.

[MissRubyandKen]

What about stones or mud bricks?

[maplesugar]

I have used a couple layers of cinder blocks. These can often be obtained on the cheap.

When I do raised beds this year, I will just mound the dirt, using no supports. This worked pretty well for me last year.

[steffanie3]

We used untreated lumber, I think pine, we will have to replace it, but I think it will take a while and we are ok with that.