I built a small elevated platform using stackable plastic pallets to hold several large fabric grow bags. Each bag will be pretty heavy when saturated.
Right now I’m leveling the pallets by sitting them on standard concrete blocks placed along the edges. The issue is they’re not distributing weight well, basically acting like point supports. The ground is turf/soil underneath.
Before I go further, what’s the better way to do this?
I currently plan on pulling everything up next season and just leveling the soil after the turf decomposes. Thanks.
Edit… I didn't do a great job explaining. The ground isn't level. I need one side of the pallets to be raised about three and a half inches. I am looking for the best way to level them out.
by BigEarn86
17 Comments
I’m confused. Why do you need to support them? They can freely drain and pallets are made to hold and distribute weight
what’s wrong with just putting the grow bags on the ground? I don’t really understand what you’re trying to achieve here
Quick question. What kind of grow bag is this? I might get some of those myself
I get it you wanted it level . I would stake it down on one side
Pallets…are the support?
I also do not understand what the end goal is here. You could just as easily lay out cardboard to kill the grass and put the bags directly on top of it.
If you want to put them on pallets, the pallets themselves are the best thing to be in direct contact with the ground.
Those plastic pallets can probably hold a few hundred pounds. It should be fine
I do something very similar, using landscaping timbers and pavers of various thicknesses to level them off.
I work in a warehouse that uses similar pallets… im surprised they arent supporting the bags. The ones we have are sturdy as hell.
Why not back fill with rock, or use dirt and top with fresh cut sod? Does it need to be uniform with your neighbor? Or do you have artistic license with your own yard?
On a slope, you can either raise one side to level (which you’ve done) or lower the other. It’s your choice but as a lazy person, I’d chose the no-dig method you opted for.
What’s sketchy about it? Are they not stable when under load? Or are you concerned about aesthetics?
I usually do growbags on ground- gets some soil microbes and small bugs up into soil…- they also break down in few years
of I dump them and use the ground there and relacate bags
Looks great. Maybe stake the bricks if you think they could slide.
whered you get these plastic pallets? This is a good idea : )
Leave it as is and put some cheap pots of your favorite annuals at the base to cover up the unsightly parts.
It’s fine the way it is, but if you wanna bee better, set the concrete blocks in the ground 2 inches
You should be fine. Those pallets hold a ton of weight. If anything the entire bricks might start to sink into the ground but should get you thru the season.
I have my pallets on landscape timbers.
>>”The ground isn’t level. I need one side of the pallets to be raised about three and a half inches.”
The way you have pictured looks good to me. What is it about it that makes you feel it is sketchy? Remember that they will be much more stable once they are supporting the weight of your full containers. Maybe some bricks would level them up if those cinder blocks are too tall.
Are you using a long builder’s level to set them up the way you want them? That is an indespensable tool for a project like this.
I use surplus wooden pallets as a base for my grow bags. Two bags on each pallet are 20-gallons and two are 15-gallon. Lots of weight. My ground is fairly level, so I don’t face the same stability problem as you. I have them set on a piece of landscaping geotextile to keep weeds from growing through.
Will return in a minute and add a photo from last year.
https://preview.redd.it/kv1ds2out4kg1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=269f9d980014fbf31587f50f8cc805d82ddbbcc4
May, 2025