Growing Together: Open Forum

Hi All,

Our school garden in southeast Michigan is in need of new raised garden beds, as the initial wood beds that were installed are rotting.  Anyone have a good recommendation on materials to use for longevity?  Or suppliers who will sell to schools at a discount? Thanks!

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Bonnie Perry
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Bonnie,
Have you tried networking with your local 4-H organization. I'm with the University of Missouri and serve as a youth program associate in my county. I have access through the campus to help my local schools with gardening curriculum, raised beds (aluminum alloy type to withstand weather), and even 10x15 green houses. We have a lot of resources!! Check with your local Extension YPA/NPA.  Here's your states contact info.   

https://mi4hfdtn.org/
https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/county

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michael Dobbs
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Depending on how the school wants it to "look" (messy allowed, creativity allowed), I've seen plastic barrels cut in half longways (some can be raised to waist height with supporting lumber), sand boxes (the kind for play), old drawers, etc.

A way to build a cheap nice-looking one is to go to a garden/outdoor type store (Lowe's, etc.) and find a landscaping brick that you can stack (flat). Take a picture of the brick and it's ID number (to make sure people know EXACTLY which brick), and have every kid bring a brick to school to make a raised bed. Not expensive for anyone (may donate more for kids that can't afford it), and you don't have to lug the bricks to school or pay a delivery fee!

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Shelley Mitchell, PhD
Associate Extension Specialist
Youth Horticulture
Dept of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Oklahoma State University
358 Ag Hall
Stillwater, OK 74078
[405-744-5755]
shelley.mitchell@okstate.edu
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Hi Bonnie,

In our 60+ raised beds at our elementary schools, we have been using cedar. These are mostly from kits. We like the ones that use pegs to hold the corners together as they're quick and simple to build. That said, the best we've been able to do with cedar is about 8 years before the wood degrades enough that it needs repair or replacement. Having asked around a lot lately, we are looking at using galvanized steel raised beds for our next round of beds. Folks with whom I've spoken have shared that they are lightweight/easy to set up, do not get too hot (I was concerned about cooking the soil and also kids leaning up against a hot metal surface), have rounded safety edges, and are supposed to last up to 30 years. We will likely purchase a few of these this spring to test out, after which I'll have firsthand info to share.

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Jennifer Reese
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Hi Bonnie,

I made these using corrugated roof panels and pressure treated lumber.. about ~$120 each

used the principles to do 8x4 foot ones using this video

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Rick Sherman
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I also build raised beds using pallets and ground cover cloth to line them. I can't say enough about using hugelkultur methods for creating a long lasting, healthy planting area! I've been planting that way for years, inside raised beds and it works! Yes, you need to add soil and compost each year as the logs begin to deteriorate. That only gives you even healthier soil. I'll try and post some photos of our raised beds. Good luck!

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Barb McCullough-Jones
Interim Camp Director
Kiwanis Camp Wa-Ri-Ki
campdirector@campwariki.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-01-2023 11:26:16 AM
From: Rick Sherman
Subject: Raised Garden Bed Recommendations & Suppliers

Hi Bonnie,

I made these using corrugated roof panels and pressure treated lumber.. about ~$120 each

used the principles to do 8x4 foot ones using this video

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Rick Sherman
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I have been using cinderblocks for many years for raised beds. We offset them when stacking 2 or 3 high to avoid weakness of the seams lining up- you can also use cement adhesive between them if you want more stability, it comes in a grout-like tube so easy to apply.  We stack them with holes facing up and then fill the holes with dirt to use the holes for growing smaller crops, like radish, lettuce or companion planting with marigolds.  They are very durable, don't crack in a freeze, and offer that expanded planting space.  Some of the schools make a project of painting the side of the beds if they want something fancier than just plain blocks.  Let me know if you want to see some pictures.

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Bonnie Martin
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Galvanized Raised Garden Beds I am using the Vego Garden Raised Garden Bed Kit, 17″ Tall 10 in 1 Modular Metal and I am impressed with its durability. You can try using one, I think you will be satisfied.

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Harry Sawyers
California
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We just replaced a number of beds with the Olle galvanized steel raised beds.  They made it through their first growing season without any issues and with a great harvest of wheat, husk cherries, potatoes, sunflowers, beets, and radishes.  We usually fresh milled hemlock 2x8s to build wooden beds and they last for 6-7 years with sturdy oak or cedar 4x4 corner posts.

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Hope Guardenier
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