Planter boxes from a pallet

[lcantem]

Hi All,

I’m excited about joining this workshop.

I have 3 abandoned pallets which I want to convert into planter boxes. I’ve no idea how to start.

I plan them to be about 900mm long by 450mm wide and 600mm high. I’m also conscious that once filled, they can bulge with soil pressure sideways. Some advice on cross ties would be helpful. 

Kind Regards, 

Lester

[Jason]

Hi @lcantem,

As per this project (see Step 22) I would think you could line the box with corflute or black plastic.

Hope that helps.

Jason

[Rick64]

or you can buy a water based stain these days, or just used some burnt or dark umber tint that they will sell you at your hardware store. You will only need a tiny bit.

[eb]

Hi I'm curious about the laserlite. Does it stop chemical leeching from the wood?

[Jason]

Thanks for joining in the discussion @Rick64 and sharing some advice. It's great to have you join the community. I look forward to reading about your projects and plans. 

Welcome,

Jason

[Jason]

@eb

I have tagged Workshop member @lcantem for you so they are notified about your laserlite question. Hopefully they can answer you soon.

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to the Workshop community. Feel free to post anytime you need a hand with a project or have something new to share. You can also contact me if you need help getting the most from the site, or have any feedback about how we can make Workshop more useful to you.

Thanks,

Jason

[bradjsmith]

Never use Pallets as garden beds or fire wood. Often they have been used 100- 1000 times to carry toxic chemicals. I know people that have been hospitalised from this...

[Jason]

Thanks for your input @bradjsmith. 

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to the Workshop community. It's great to have you join us. We look forward to reading about your projects and plans. Feel free to post whenever you have a new project to share or need a hand with anything.

Jason

[Ads]

I’ve noticed that more & more people are using H3/H4 or similar varieties of treated pine timber around herb gardens and veggie patches. 

Is there any risk of contamination of soil and edibles from the chemical used to treat & preserve the wood?

[Jason]

Thanks for joining in the discussion @Ads. I'm sure there will be Workshop members keen to discuss this topic and share their opinions and experience.

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to the community. We're happy you could join us. Please post anytime you need a hand or have a new project to share. 

Jason

[greygardener]

There's a lot of debate about the risk of contamination. A lot of people use builders plastic to line the inside of the beds as a precaution. 

You might find these articles interesting

https://www.growveg.com.au/guides/treating-wood-for-vegetable-gardens/

https://www.selfsufficientme.com/health/is-using-treated-wood-safe-for-growing-vegetables-fruit

https://laidbackgardener.blog/2017/06/25/is-treated-wood-safe-in-the-vegetable-garden/

http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/factsheets/vegie-garden-timber/9431242

Theres also debate on this forum

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2651347