Raised beds: what are the advantages and where to buy/build

censuspro

Basic question but what is the advantage of using raised beds for growing veg as opposed to just digging and filtering the soil? Also, can anyone recommend where to buy raised beds? I saw to beds (6ft x 4ft) in a garden centre to e150 but thought this was a but steep considering its just a few lengths of timber. I have a about ten sleeper rails but am reluctant to use as it looks like they were dosed in oil so I wouldn't want them near the veg.

Stefan_Cork

in our climate i find them much better draining, they dry out quicker tho but not much of an issue just watch out very long dry spells ;-)
easy to work, reach and manage, veg-gardening is a breeze
got mine 16ftx3ft and got 4 of them, mulched paths between
i used slightly weathered scaffolding boards, thick wood is preferred

censuspro

Stefan_Cork wrote: »

in our climate i find them much better draining, they dry out quicker tho but not much of an issue just watch out very long dry spells ;-)
easy to work, reach and manage, veg-gardening is a breeze
got mine 16ftx3ft and got 4 of them, mulched paths between
i used slightly weathered scaffolding boards, thick wood is preferred

Where did you get the scaffolding boards?

Stefan_Cork

donedeal. they go by grade, i got them for 3.50 for an 8ft length. they also had some at 2.50 all the way up to 8 euro