New way of constructing veggie beds, more efficient watering, increased yields !

**burnie** · 12-09-2015, 10:33 AM

Late finding this post, but most stimulating and looks well thought out. I shalln't be using the idea primarily because as I am planning for old age having now retired, I am looking for greater height off the ground(around two feet minimum). My beds will also be in the garden on full view, so need to have a bit more of an aesthetic feel to them(so I have been told). Hope you keep us up dated on this project as it looks most interesting, I am now thinking of introducing you idea for watering into my design by burying the centre pallet rather than it being on view.

**Glutton4...** · 12-09-2015, 06:23 PM

I like it.

I'm not sure I agree with the moisture zone being entirely where it shows in the drawn diagram (I would say it was lower, shallower and wider), but I like it!

**Greenleaves** · 12-09-2015, 07:26 PM

If it works for you, thats great....I will stick with me upside down modified pop bottle....much less work

**Bigmallly** · 12-09-2015, 08:51 PM

Interesting but wonder how long the timber would last.

**alldigging** · 13-09-2015, 08:36 AM

Originally posted by Bigmallly View Post

Interesting but wonder how long the timber would last.

This is my concern. Many of the pallets we get aren't up to uch. And the good ones we'll use for other things.

**Martin H** · 13-09-2015, 12:33 PM

On the plus side, it looks like once it's constructed, the system would still work even after the pallets have reached an advanced stage of deterioration. Woodlouse heaven!

**no_akira** · 13-09-2015, 01:44 PM

Cheer burnie for taking a positive interest in my new idea.

Originally posted by Bigmallly View Post

Interesting but wonder how long the timber would last.

It will probably last a couple of years longer than the average interest in an allotment...

Glutton4...
You are correct, it is an idealised diagram, in reality I've found a wider bed (28" inches) and only a few inches above the normal soil height seems to work best.

NB: I've added a comment section on the site if you are interested.

**Glutton4...** · 13-09-2015, 03:59 PM

My experience with pallets, is that the wood is quite dense, and I expect it would last quite well. Certainly longer than a lot of peoples' interest in gardening, you're right there!

I also like the fact that you've thought 'outside the box' and tried something different. If I were grwing in the ground at the moment, I would definitely try it - you never know until you try. Thanks for sharing.

**Bigmallly** · 13-09-2015, 04:42 PM

Originally posted by no_akira View Post

It will probably last a couple of years longer than the average interest in an allotment...

Which is how long?

**veggiechicken** · 13-09-2015, 04:52 PM

Originally posted by no_akira View Post

It will probably last a couple of years longer than the average interest in an allotment...

I think that may upset a lot of allotment growers.

Glutton4...
You are correct, it is an idealised diagram, in reality I've found a wider bed (28" inches) and only a few inches above the normal soil height seems to work best.

NB: I've added a comment section on the site if you are interested.

I'm trying to understand your revised thoughts here. Are you saying that its better for the pallets to protrude a few inches above level soil and there is no banking up against them?

**Alison** · 13-09-2015, 05:12 PM

Originally posted by veggiechicken View Post

I think that may upset a lot of allotment growers

Hmmmm, I'll be one of those upset by it then as I didn't much like the comment and am pretty sure that it wouldn't last for the duration of my interest (over 20 years to date) and certainly my pallet compost bins are already deteriorating.........

**veggiechicken** · 13-09-2015, 05:30 PM

By watering into the pallets, the wood will be constantly damp so will rot even faster.

**Martin H** · 13-09-2015, 05:51 PM

Originally posted by no_akira View Post

It will probably last a couple of years longer than the average interest in an allotment...

Drifting off-topic, but "average" isn't a very useful concept here, where:
- lots of people don't get to the end of the first season
- lots more people don't renew for a second season
- anyone who survives 2 seasons tends to stay until their circumstances change significantly. So we have a very skewed population, with (I estimate) half lasting 2 seasons or less then a long tail stretching out 50 seasons or so.

So the average might be 20 years while the median would be about 2 years. Just saying...

Originally posted by no_akira View Post

it is an idealised diagram, in reality I've found a wider bed (28" inches) and only a few inches above the normal soil height seems to work best.

I don't get it. Can't see any advantage of this over a flat bed unless you are going to make a decent sized mound up against the pallets?

Interesting topic, though. A technique that I might try one day, like hugelkultur or some of those other non-mainstream ideas.

**Bigmallly** · 13-09-2015, 05:56 PM

I personally think it's a lot of work & there are simpler irrigation systems..............Not to say it won't work, just a lot of work.

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