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Raised garden bed using pine sleepers

The next step in my veggie garden journey was raised garden beds, to kelp out Audrey our Golden and the rabbits without the need for fencing. Hubby built them out of Sienna pine sleepers from Bunnings which are food safe . We filled the bed with compost and 2 metres of veggie soil from our local supplier.

I planted some seedlings a few days ago, perfect timing with this lovely rain. I planted 3 types of beans , carrots, Okinawa Spinach, strawberries and some coriander and sage. The other end has the Brassicas with some onions, coriander and sage to help repel the unwanted bugs and encourage the wanted and white pansies masquerading as butterflies (apparently white cabbage moths are territorial) Time will tell if the companion planting works. I also moved my Jostaberry and Loganberry into this bed. 🤣

I pulled out the tomato’s in the small raised beds and removed the fence. This will be used now for herbs, flowers and veggies that Audrey won’t eat. 🤣🤣

(not sure why the photos upload out of order 🤣)

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Comments

Jason

Great work @LisasGarden and many thanks for sharing.

We have a new member of our family who likes to dig and eat our plants, too. Your raised beds look fantastic and I'm sure will inspire plenty of Bunnings Workshop members. We will feature your post on our Project Gallery. Looking forward to seeing updates of your harvests.

Thanks again,

Jason

mich1972

Sensational @LisasGarden Thi is fantastic. Enjoy your home grown edibles 🌿💚😁

LisasGarden

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/12712#Comment_12712

Thanks, hopefully they grow well 🤣

MitchellMc

Those are some really solid looking garden beds your husband has created there. I trust you were both very pleased with how they turned out.

I'll be looking at pulling out my tomatoes over the next few weeks as they appear to be just about done. Now I need to decide what I'll be planting for the next season.

Many thanks for sharing and providing some great inspiration to the community.

Mitchell

LisasGarden

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/68827#Comment_68827

I picked up some Sugarcane mulch today with a little help from Karl Lagerfeld @cocochanelandkarl Last time with the barrels I used Lucerne Mulch. The Sugarcane is a bit easier to work with around the small seedlings and also more value for money. Had to get some Catgrass of course for Karl too 🤣

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/97398#Comment_97398

Sugarcane is my go-to for mulching veggies @LisasGarden. I find a nice thick layer holds in so much moisture and stops the soil from drying out too quickly.

I must say Karl looks very pleased with your cat grass purchase.

Thanks for sharing.

Mitchell

chels222

Hi Lisa, @LisasGarden

Your garden bed looks great! I have been looking at the metal ones at bunnings but I would much prefer something more natural like these.

Can you please tell me how your husband joined the sleepers? What bolts/screws etc did he use?

Thanks!

Chelsea

chels222

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/115356#Comment_115356

Hi Mitchell, @MitchellMc

Can you tell me what screws/bolts you think would have been used to put this together? Its hard to see in the photos and I don't have any idea what to use!

Thanks!

Chelsea

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/125615#Comment_125615

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @chels222. It's a pleasure to have you join us, and many thanks for your question.

Hopefully, @LisasGarden might be able to provide that information for us. Although it's hard to tell, I suspect they might have used something similar to a Zenith M10 x 130mm Tech-Shield Coach Screw. They would be suitable for joining 75mm thick sleepers.

You should find this step-by-step article useful: How to build a raised garden bed by @Adam_W.

I look forward to following along with your project. Please let us know if you need further assistance or have questions.

Mitchell

LisasGarden

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/13409#Comment_13409

Hi Chelsea (@chels222)

Thank you! He used 180mm coach bolts to screw the sleepers together. He also put 4x4 posts internally in the corners and bolted them to the sleepers for extra stability.
Lisa

737044

Question. Hi guys , do the pine sleepers used for garden beds rot away over time?

regards bryan.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/14126#Comment_14126

Hello Bryan (@737044)

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you so much for joining us and sharing your question about pine sleepers.

A typically treated pine sleeper has a conservative lifespan of anywhere from 10 to 15 years. It can be extended if the surface is treated with a finishing stain to add further protection. If the pine sleeper is still brand new I would give it a few months of seasoning before putting on any type of stain on it.

If you're planning your own raised garden we would love to see it.

Eric

RK1

Hi Lisa, I am trying to do bit similar one at my backyard. I'm a newbie and this is my first DIY project. When I went to Bunnings yesterday and seen similar red coloured h4 wooden blocks , I found that small wooden pieces (very thin ones) at the borders. I've got 2 toddlers at home and worried that they could get hurt if they try to move their hand on it. Do you have any idea to handle this or make it smoother? Kindly suggest

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/14230#Comment_14230

Hello @RK1

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you for joining us and sharing your concern about the timber pine sleepers.

The timber pine sleepers are rough cut and hence produce a very rough surface. Because of this rough exterior it also includes timber splinters on its face. One of the best ways to remove the rough exterior and splinters is to sand the surface of the pine sleeper. I suggest using Flexovit 100mm x 1m 120 Grit Timber Sandpaper Roll along with a Paint Partner Cork Sanding Block - 2 Pack.

However, if it proves to be too tough I recommend using an Ozito ¼ Sheet Orbital Sander. This will give you a very smooth finish and should be safe for your children to touch. Please note that you will have to stain the area you have sanded to match the colour of the pine sleeper.

Let me tag our experienced members @JDE and @tom_builds for their recommendations.

If you are planning your own raised garden bed, please make sure to share your project. I'm sure our members would love to see what you are planning.

We look forward to seeing your garden bed once it's built.

Eric

tom_builds

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/69669#Comment_69669

Hi @RK1 and thanks for the tag @EricL ,

I agree with @EricL that sanding the sleepers would be a good idea to remove as much of the splintery wood as possible. If you're still concerned after sanding, you could apply a couple of coats of lacquer, as this will leave a smooth cover over the surface of the timber, making it less likely for little hand to be harmed if running up against the sleepers.

The bonus to this is that it will help preserve the timber and extend the useful life of your raised garden beds.

Upload some photos once you're underway, we'll be excited to see the updates.

Best of luck with your project!

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