On 22/05/2012 22:03, John Rumm wrote:
On 22/05/2012 20:18, The Medway Handyman wrote:

SWMBO wants some raised beds made, railway sleepers or similar.

While on the subject...

Design issues:

What is the optimal depth? Ideal size?

I looked at some ready made kits, and they all seemed quite shallow -
some as little as 6". Many made from very skimpy timber as well.

I was thinking 18" to 24" high.

I was thinking either 9x2" tanalised, or perhaps 2 x 5x2" - the latter
could be joined nicely at the corners with a 2.5"x2" notch out of the
corners allowing a pair of half lap joints.

Nice. That would work for 18" with 2 x 9"x2" or 3 x 8"x2".

If one does a section of 3x3" post in each corner, would it be worth
extending this above the top a bit? - either to make something nice to
tie strings to for support etc (thinking vegetable use here)...

Mine are going to be either side of a pergola, so I'm having posts anyway.

It also occurred to me that they could be - on occasion - topped by
perspex 'lids' in timber frames to act as mini greenhouses (can't think
of the name).




--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk