If you’re dreaming up garden designs using railway sleepers, then thanks to their versatile nature they can do just about anything. Their durable finish makes them ideal for raised flower beds, and you could easily use them as lawn boundaries as an edge between the grass, creating some stunning garden features.
How long do railway sleepers last in the garden?
How long do railway sleepers last? Railway sleepers will last for years, with our softwood treated sleepers typically lasting around 8 to 10 years due to the pressurised treatment, and UC4 treatments extending this to 15 years.
Can you lay sleepers directly on soil?
Yes you can. If you’re only creating a structure that’s one or two sleepers in height you don’t necessarily need foundations, which means you can lay your railway sleepers onto the soil. Though you’ll want to make sure you use some kind of waterproof membrane so that sleepers don’t soak up water from the soil.
Are railway sleepers good for raised beds?
Both our hardwood and softwood sleepers are ideal to construct sturdy and attractive raised beds for your garden. As our sleepers are all cut to the same dimensions it allows you to create raised beds that are easy to stack and build.
Can I use railway sleepers in my garden? – Related Questions
How do you stop sleepers from rotting in the ground?
Wood preservative treatments provide garden sleepers with protective properties that help prevent rot, mould and fungal growth, as well as help to form a defence against the elements. It is best to apply a wood preservative before installation of your sleeper, so that you can paint all sides.
What should you not put in a raised garden bed?
A list of plants not to grow in your raised beds:
- Potatoes.
- Asparagus.
- Artichokes.
- Rhubarb.
- Corn.
- Wheat.
- Rice.
- Winter Squash.
What is the best material to use for raised beds?
Best Materials for Raised Beds
- Cedar and cypress have a similar aesthetic and natural rot-resistance, making them an excellent choice for garden beds.
- Composite beds are often made with recycled wood, which helps reduce the need for raw materials.
- Galvanized steel is durable, rust-resistant, and economic.
What are the best railway sleepers for raised beds?
Softwood is generally a more affordable option than oak sleepers and once tanalised, will have long-lasting protection against damp and rot, making both oak and softwood sleepers a great option for raised beds.
How long do sleepers last as raised beds?
As a rule, hardwood oak sleepers tend to last the longest naturally with an expected lifespan of around 100 years. An untreated softwood will last for between three and five years if it sits on the ground, whilst treated softwoods can last between 20 and 30 years if they are maintained correctly.
Do you need to line a sleeper raised bed?
The answer to this question is YES they should be lined – if they are built from an absorbent material such as untreated wood that will leach away the moisture and nutrients in the Raised Bed. , then lining is not really necessary on the sides of the bed – but may be on the bottom for reasons discussed below.
Should I put rocks in the bottom of my raised garden bed?
Avoid using materials like rocks on the bottom of your raised bed, as this can create an artificial water table that will prevent good drainage. With raised garden beds, drainage is essential.
Should I put landscape fabric under raised bed?
Landscape fabric is beneficial for raised garden beds, here are just a few of the many reasons why you should use landscape fabric for raised bed gardening: Prevents soil erosion in a raised bed: As a liner, landscape fabric lets water drain away from the soil while leaving the soil intact.
Do you need drainage holes in a raised garden bed?
Drainage is an important process when you are growing plants in a container, as poor drainage can cause the soil to become oversaturated or waterlogged, stunting plant growth. Good drainage is necessary when you are using raised garden beds.
Should I line the walls of my raised garden bed with plastic?
Avoid lining your garden beds with plastic, as this prevents drainage and could drown your plants’ roots. If you have a weed and pest problem, consider installing a combination of metal mesh and fabric or hardware cloth and cardboard to get both benefits at once.
How deep should the soil be in a raised bed?
A raised bed does not always require a significant depth for it to be effective. They should have at least 8 inches of soil depth to accommodate the root systems of plants, because the majority of plant roots require 6 – 8 inches of soil for healthy root growth.
Can I line my raised garden bed with cardboard?
Many gardeners build raised beds right on their lawns, and line the bottoms with cardboard to smother the grass – a technique that makes it possible to fill the beds and start gardening right away. Even the gardener’s helper enjoys a cardboard box!
Does cardboard in garden attract termites?
Termites LOVE cardboard. Did you know that termite researchers use cardboard feeding stations to lure termites? And cardboard is often used as the “control” in feeding studies, because termites will always eat it?
How do you fill a raised bed cheaply?
Logs buried in the raised bed are beneficial because you won’t need much soil. That’s why using large logs can be one effective organic material for filling raised beds cheaply. You can find grass clippings, twigs, branches, logs, and other rotting materials. Then, place them deep in the soil.