Raised beds -- concrete forms to build new ones?

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I posted this over on CS as well, but in case anyone has given that up, I thought I'd ask here as well.

I am looking to expand my raised bed garden area. I like Trex, but it tends to be pretty limber for use in this instance. What does anyone know about the plastic content of concrete forms made of plastic used to make drains around the footings of buildings? It's like a rectangular tube, and they make 90-degree elbows that it fits into which would make perfect beds. However, I worry about what is in the plastic and what it might leach into the soil, as well as it's UV resistance.

Would this be good stuff to use (price not withstanding), or would it be better to go with the Trex? Thanks all!!

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2001

Answers

I'd recommend just going with concrete, Julie. I made some slip forms, and it's not all that hard to mix it, and it will last longer than we will. And it won't break down in the uv

JOJ

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001


Julie,

I must agree with JOJ about using concrete. (Although I use wood) Building short forms is a matter of screwing togater four sturdy pieces of wood 6" high, and then building an smaller exact duplicate to set inside of the first square on the ground. Use a few sturdy green sticks (2" thick is good) to pound into the ground on the far inside and outside of your forms to keep them in place, then mix of bags of quick crete in a small bucket (it's easier making just 2 sq ft at a time) and pouring it into your forms. Smooth the top with a nice flat board, wet the concrete down 3 or 4 times a day for 3 days, and then you'll have reasonably well cured concrete that'll last quite a while. (Did you know concrete doesn't reach it's full strength until it's about 100 years old???)

-- Anonymous, April 17, 2001


Hi Julie, here where we are in Michigan one of our best crops on this land is ROCKS. I am building my raised beds with rocks and cement, using the Nearing's slip form idea for houses. They will surely outlast me and look nice besides.

-- Anonymous, April 17, 2001

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