Raised wooden terraces are a very interesting option for growing in our homes, small patios or areas where the soil is of poor quality or simply for the convenience of cultivation. These wooden terraces are ideal for creating a garden in these spaces that fit very well into the environment and help us to have a little oasis at home. In another article I told you 7 advantages that raised terraces have for me. Today I’m going to give you some little instructions or tips for making a wooden raised bed, for maintaining it and also, for those who don’t want to or can’t do it, for buying it.
Apart from the aesthetic part and the reason why I was telling you about why I decided completely change my garden I consider wooden decks to be more durable than it appears from the tests I have done in the greenhouse when I made a wooden bedor in different parts of the garden where I have wooden steps.
Contents
WOODEN BEACHES: MATERIALS TO MAKE THEM
There are many species of wood and each is more or less resistant to weather and/or years, however, the better the wood, the more expensive the materials will be, so a balance must be struck between price and quality.
I used to make the raised wooden terraces of the garden, a pine forest of 5cm thick that it is more or less calculated that it will last us a few 7 years. You can use oak or chestnut, which are much better, but considering the prices, I was thinking a lot.
On the other hand, to join the wood we will use pine slats between 5 cm and 7 cm thick which will make our terraces more stable.
MEASURES TO MAKE RIVERS OF THE ORCHARD
LONG
It is not recommended to make very long wooden decks, because the wood can swell and the thinner the wood, the shorter they can be made. Even so, more than 3 meters would not be a good idea without putting a brace so that the wood does not curve outwards. So I have is 2.5m long, simply so that 8 terraces enter the garden and can thus do the crop rotation Perfectly.
TecTake Frame for raised bed for garden terrace Wood…
- Thanks to its practical dimming solution, your bed in height can be adjusted to the height you want // Overall dimension: 120 x 80 x 19 cm
- Folds up in no time and stores in a small space // Folded size: 115 x 10 cm
- Stable and sturdy steel hinges
- Make life difficult for snails and other small rodents
- Usable wherever you want
WIDE
It is advisable not to make a bed width greater than 1.2 m, since in this way we can reach all areas of the bed from the side. Also, if we widened it, we would waste more time going from one side to the other. Since everything is optional and everyone can do it as they wish, I am only telling you what is most recommended. I made it from 1 meter wide.
TRINKS ORCHARD DEPTH
The depth of the terraces goes from 25 cm, which would be the minimum that we can put, to the most balanced, which is 30 cm. In my case, I decided to make them a little bigger, simply because I liked it better and also, having a more loose and deep soil, it will develop more roots in this way, we can bring the crops closer together. I put some 40cm deep.
HOW TO PROTECT WOOD EDGES
If we are looking for an orchard that is as natural as possible and avoid the use of chemicals or substances that damage our land and our plants, perhaps the chemical treatment of wood is not the most advisable thing to do.
Choose a stronger wood
Some types of wood are more resistant to decay produced by a combination of humidity, heat and fungus. The best wood comes from the following trees:
- Cedar: Juniperus virginiana and Thuja plicata are extremely hardy outdoor timber trees. They also contain antifungal and antibacterial substances.
- Cypress: Taxodium distichum is a very leafy tree with antifungal properties. The more yellow we choose, the better the slats because they will come from older and more resistant trees.
- Oak: The Quercus alba is a tree whose wood resists water and rot. It can last for many years.
- Pine: Pinus sp is the most common hardwood in Spain, it is much less resistant, untreated it will only last 4 years (Although I am doing tests and so far it is 5 years and lasts).
wood preservative
Even if you choose good wood, it is advisable to apply a preservative that protects the wood so that it has more endurance. There are many types of preservatives but it is better to use an ecological one because otherwise they can release toxic substances into the earth that we will end up ingesting. Some vegetable oils can be the following:
- Raw linseed oil: Traditionally, oil was used before the existence of chemical treatments. The only downside is the drying time is long. Don’t be tempted to buy another type of flaxseed oil that dries quickly, as it will contain toxic compounds. The drying time is a few weeks, we will apply the treatment in a warm and ventilated place where we can let the wood dry for the necessary time. We will use a brush to apply it and dry the excess with a cloth. You can apply several layers but it is better to wait until they dry each time.
- Pure tung oil: The Tung is a tree of Asian origin whose seeds are used to extract oil. In ancient times it was used to treat boats and under optimal conditions it can take 3 days to dry. You have to look on the label that says pure and avoid those that say mixed with varnish.
- Pine tar: This is another ancient preservative that the Vikings used to coat their ships. It is made from slow-burning resins of pine roots. It is a very thick and viscous substance that is best heated to use it. At least two coats should be applied and drying may take a few weeks.
Offer
Outsunny steel flower bed 174x90x30 cm Includes…
- GARDEN BED: This 1.7 x 0.9 meter raised bed provides ample growing space to grow a wide variety of plants, vegetables, herbs, flowers, etc.
- NO BOTTOM: This planter is designed to be installed on soil or grass, as the absence of a bottom guarantees good drainage for your plants and greater breathability
- RESISTANT AND LARGE: All-metal planter with a maximum height of 30 cm which allows you to plant plants with long roots. Its raised design keeps weeds out, prevents…
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: Includes a pair of gloves to protect your hands when growing your plants. It also comes with ID pegs to identify your crops or record their growing process…
- TOTAL MEASUREMENTS: 174x90x30 cm (LxWxH). Planting area: 169x85x30 cm (LxWxH). A pair of gloves is included
Do not cover the terraces
Covering the wood with plastic is a mistake because instead of protecting it, it will increase the humidity. It will also worsen bottom drainage and accelerate wood decay. And what is it due to? Since the water will be stored between the plastic and the wood, it will eventually cause the fungus to come to the moisture generated. In addition, if we place a liner in the lower part, we will also make it difficult for oxygen to reach the roots.
corner hinges
Excess heat and freezing cause the wood to shrink and expand, if we only use nails to hold the wood in the corners they will eventually separate. That is why it is advisable to use brackets or hinges to facilitate the union. By wedging the corners, he patch it will be more resistant to temperature changes.
BUY WOODEN BANKS
Another option, for those who cannot or do not want to make their own wooden decks, is to buy them. There are many options, that’s why I’m not going to list them all, but from a neighborhood carpenter who can prepare them for us at the most well-known markets.
TecTake Frame for raised bed for garden terrace Wood…
- Thanks to its practical dimming solution, your bed in height can be adjusted to the height you want // Overall dimension: 120 x 80 x 19 cm
- Folds up in no time and stores in a small space // Folded size: 115 x 10 cm
- Stable and sturdy steel hinges
- Make life difficult for snails and other small rodents
- Usable wherever you want
Quality and durability must be valued, but by taking the data we give you of the different wood species, measurements of length, width and depth and thickness, you will be able to get an idea.
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