Raised Bed Construction

Jeff Poppen strolls the productive raised beds at Pegram Community garden. It includes more than twenty beds, and there’s a variety of construction materials used throughout. Jeff discusses the pros and cons of each material choice.

Gardener Extras

  1. Avoid pressure-treated woods as they risk leaching arsenic into soil.
  2. Composite wood made from recycled wood shavings and plastic resins are an option, but it could double the cost. On the positive side, composite wood lasts a lifetime without rotting or warping.
  3. Steel is becoming increasingly popular for raised bed gardening. Cautious planting is advised as steel heats up quickly and can 'burn' plants that are too close to the steel itself. Drainage holes must be drilled in the bottom of a steel container.

Jeff Poppen

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