We decided to deconstruct an old garden deck, as it is the best spot in our yard (sunwise) for putting in a raised bed garden.
At first my thought was to disassemble it completely then use the wood to rebuild into rectangles, but man, prying off all these joist hangers seems like an epic chore. Any ideas on how to turn this existing structure into some raised beds with less effort?
The structure is on a slight slope (The rim joist is in contact w ground on uphill side, about 10 inches off ground on downhill side.) I have a lot of 2x6s available.
by yeti_face
31 Comments
Just fill in the gap over the ground….paint your boards and fill in the rows with soil…at first glance I though this was a raised bed built as rows.
Also because it is a deck you could easily put a couple deck boards back across the frame and use them as boardwalk through the garden.
Seems like an ideal setup already just protect the wood and steel from ground contact with some paint.
First thought is best thought.
You can’t get into the middle sections without putting deck back over and that wastes a lot of sun and growing space. Even if you just cut between every other set of joists the hangars would mean you can’t cut them square, there would be that 1 1/2” sticking out on both sides.
Are they nailed or screwed together? If screwed use a drill to reverse them out.
If nailed, using a plain claw hammer and your muscles would be exhaustion but do it smarter than that. Get a good pry bar and learn how to use it in conjunction with your hammer. Have a piece of 1” and 2” scrap lumber for fulcrum wedges as well. It’s way easier with the right tools.
Pressure treated wood is no bueno for raised beds.
Disassemble and build them how you want. Will be better in the long run.
I would remove some boards, like the second and fifth to make larger arias. Use the wood you remove to fill in the gaps underneath so the soil doesn’t spill out. Fill the first larger area with dirt the leave the next small one empty for a path. Fill the next large one with dirt then leave a path again and so on
I would remove some boards, like the second and fifth to make larger arias. Use the wood you remove to fill in the gaps underneath so the soil doesn’t spill out. Fill the first larger area with dirt the leave the next small one empty for a path. Fill the next large one with dirt then leave a path again and so on
I would remove some boards, like the second and fifth to make larger arias. Use the wood you remove to fill in the gaps underneath so the soil doesn’t spill out. Fill the first larger area with dirt the leave the next small one empty for a path. Fill the next large one with dirt then leave a path again and so on
Just put some dirt in and go
I would definitely make a pollinator bed or just fill it with things you wouldn’t eat…
Flowers shrubs pumpkins (for carving) etc
Sawzall with a bimetal blade, then you can cut right through the joist hangers and nails.
https://preview.redd.it/lnsmzvkcb8xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fddd845785da0b17a97d8377765a5108a83fa176
The beds are 12×4 with enough space between that my garden wagon fits. Good luck with yours.
I did the same thing. Fully deconstructing it to build the beds you actually want is worth it.
Despite all the nay sayers, if the pressure treated wood is fairly new it is safe for gardens. If you are still worried about it you can line the wood with some kind of barrier.
If your growing food I wouldn’t use treated deck wood.
I love the idea!
Fill with soil.
Disassemble and then make new beds. What you got there is too large to manage. You want to be able to be in a reachable distance to a center point. I don’t make my beds more than 4ft wide.
Usually you don’t want a raised bed wider than 4 feet, or you’ll have to walk in it to reach the plants so keep that in mind whatever you end up doing
Koalas!!
I’ve done this. We used cinderblocks under the entire perimeter to get it a little more depth. I wanted my plants to be able to have a deep root system. Plus the blocks helped with drainage. We also put down a layer of gravel in the bottom. Then compost and topsoil. It is amazing.
I like the idea of having rows. Id leave it how it is and save some effort and time. You could add some plywood on every other row so u can walk down each row. So my vote is just add soil and get growing.
Way too big. You’ll only ever be able to use the first couple of feet from the perimeter unless you build a pathway or two. It’ll also cost a fortune in soil to fill it.
This is likely pressure treated lumber which is not recommended if you are growing food.
If there’s any likelihood that wood has been near lead paint (or other toxins) I wouldn’t. Otherwise cool.
I’d think about removing some of the boards to give you more space in each bed.
flowers? just add dirt.
for veggies, you’d be at big risk for arsenic from that wood, which you wouldnt’ see or taste, but eating poison vegetables isn’t good for anyone.
Curve ball idea, use as-is for strawberry rows. Or stand upright as a giant bookshelf.
Why does this make me feel like it is a termite farm?
lay it on the ground, and fill with dirt, you’ve already got beautifully segregated areas for different plants
Put dirt in it.
Line it with plastic and fill with soil! So you dont have to worry about the chemicals in the treated wood.
Beware if treated against rot, the chemicals will leach out into the soil.
I’d just use as is leaving every 3rd space empty