raised beds from pallets

[Jimmy]

I have added a bit more to my site at
http://www.jlearmonth.f2s.com/RaisedBeds
Jimmy

[broadway]

Apparently there is an endless supply of pallets near us as advertised on freecycle by a t-shirt company.

I think I have enough scaffold boards for my raised beds but once complete I'm gonna get some pallets and try to make the following:-

Sawhorse
Planter with trellis
Chook house
Fencing

Watch this space

[Jimmy]

Chook house sounds interesting !

[Snadger]

..................Some seem to have special nails, the nails have gnurled shafts so they grip. They are a pig to get out and often the head breaks off.

Jimmy

The nails are called 'ringshanks' and they ARE a pig to get out.

One of the ploys I have adopted is to try and design functional items from SMALL pieces of wood. This way I can just saw through the wood next to a spar and lever off the plank!

[chris]

I like your idea for the growbag stands.. very useful - I've been wondering how I could errect some staging/canes up for peas/beans as they're going into a border where I don't really have access at the back of them (awkward) - so that's really useful, thanks

[Jimmy]

The nails are called 'ringshanks' and they ARE a pig to get out.

One of the ploys I have adopted is to try and design functional items from SMALL pieces of wood. This way I can just saw through the wood next to a spar and lever off the plank!

I guess the hacksaw method would be best. I think the item is actually called a pad saw. Basically it's a hacksaw blade with a handle attached. The ones on the net look a bit fancy. Mines quite old and takes a standard hacksaw blade.
Jimmy

[zazen999]

I like your idea for the growbag stands.. very useful - I've been wondering how I could errect some staging/canes up for peas/beans as they're going into a border where I don't really have access at the back of them (awkward) - so that's really useful, thanks

What you need is one of my bean frames; grow tall/climbers and the beans drop down and can be picked from the front.......put a couple of bricks on the bed and you can just pop your foot on them to reach over and pick the lower pods.

See piccie.....

[leah]

well I've just done 2 raised beds I could only do 2 as when I had them 2 boards high, my dopey dog walked right over it So 3 high it will be! It will make it a nice size for carrots and parsnips I guess!

Now I'm on the hunt for so more pallets!

oooh and great tip about saving the nails, I nearly threw them away, but after having an argument with the screws, I gave them a go and they worked a treat

Will have a go at posting some pics when I get them filled with compost..

[leah]

forgot to add, they look good and you wouldn't know they were made from pallets unless I told you so, or you had done the same

[chris]

Thanks zazen, didn't notice your reply - that's a great idea

[Jimmy]

well I've just done 2 raised beds I could only do 2 as when I had them 2 boards high, my dopey dog walked right over it So 3 high it will be! It will make it a nice size for carrots and parsnips I guess!

Now I'm on the hunt for so more pallets!

oooh and great tip about saving the nails, I nearly threw them away, but after having an argument with the screws, I gave them a go and they worked a treat

Will have a go at posting some pics when I get them filled with compost..

Look forward to some pics.

As for nails and screws. Screws seem a good idea but once the wood gets old they loose there grip and pull out. Rusty old bent over nails however hang on for a long time. Perhaps a bit wobbly but they do the job and the price is right.
Jimmy

[mbronco27_03]

Just thought I would throw my raised beds into the mix, I bought New timber from Timber Merchant, instead of using knackered old pallets, as all pallets I have are just good for firewood!!!

So, take a look, see what you think!

Stuart's Corner Plot: The Big Intro

[DaveJ]

Some years ago we bought quite a bit of stuff for the garden with the items delivered to us on pallets. I decided to reuse this free wood but the nails or 'ringshanks' were a nightmare to remove and the wood often split so I'm afraid I gave up. After seeing Jimmy's page maybe I should have another attempt.

[Jimmy]

Just thought I would throw my raised beds into the mix, I bought New timber from Timber Merchant, instead of using knackered old pallets, as all pallets I have are just good for firewood!!!

So, take a look, see what you think!

Stuart's Corner Plot: The Big Intro

Very smart, and it looks very regimented with the veg lined up like in the army.
Don't think I could be that precise.
Well done.
Jimmy

[Jimmy]

Some years ago we bought quite a bit of stuff for the garden with the items delivered to us on pallets. I decided to reuse this free wood but the nails or 'ringshanks' were a nightmare to remove and the wood often split so I'm afraid I gave up. After seeing Jimmy's page maybe I should have another attempt.

With 'ringshanks' it probably best to use the hacksaw method.
You should then get more undamaged wood.

Anyone with more exotique power tools anglegrinders might be good ?