Post Reply
DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

Customer is always right?

About 3 years ago, I built eight ( 8 ) raised beds all out of cedar for the neighbor. She started out growing vegetables and a few flowers. Now the boxes are almost all flowers.

Today, I'm finishing up ( 6 ) six new raised boxes for her. To save on cost, she decided that treated boxes capped with cedar would be fine. The cedar cap will blend the new, somewhat, with the old.

Boxes are 4ft wide and 10ft long. Personally, I think they are to wide and treated wood is wrong.

The customer is always right. :roll:
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/1%20Metal%20and%20Wood%20Garden%20Art/JacobsonBoxes002.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/1%20Metal%20and%20Wood%20Garden%20Art/JacobsonBoxes003.jpg[/img]

Eric
Last edited by DoubleDogFarm on Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Kisal
Mod Emeritus
Posts: 7646
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:04 am
Location: Oregon

If she can sit/stand at the edge of the bed and reach the center to weed and take care of the plants, then IMO, the width is fine.
User avatar
SPierce
Greener Thumb
Posts: 732
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:57 am
Location: Massachusetts

Aww man! I wish you were closer to me to be able to make me a few raised beds along the way!

Seriously though, whether you like what she's asking for or no, they look lovely!
User avatar
rainbowgardener
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 25279
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: TN/GA 7b

Yeah, I think 4' wide is pretty traditional, as that is about as wide as it can be for most people and still be able to reach the center without stepping in it.

But very narrow aisles between them. I like to be able to get a wheelbarrow between mine.
DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

Rainbow,
This is my gravel driveway. I just clustered them for the photo. I delivered them this evening and they will be placed tomorrow or next few days. I believe there will be enough room for a wheel barrow / garden cart.

I guess I'm a little spoiled, I like 3ft wide beds.

More pictures after they are installed.
Eric
User avatar
Kisal
Mod Emeritus
Posts: 7646
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:04 am
Location: Oregon

They really are attractive, Eric. You did nice work. :)
DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

Thank You :)

Eric
denny27
Full Member
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 9:43 am
Location: north carolina

I am just curious on how many years you can expect to get out of the ones you make out of all cedar.
DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

denny27,

That's a good question, but I don't have a answer for you. The neighbor thinks the first eight boxes was 4 summers ago not 3. :? They still look pretty good.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/1%20Metal%20and%20Wood%20Garden%20Art/JacobsonBoxes004.jpg[/img]

Treated lumber I believe is advertised at 20 years ground contact.

New boxes in place, but not leveled.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/1%20Metal%20and%20Wood%20Garden%20Art/JacobsonBoxes007.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/1%20Metal%20and%20Wood%20Garden%20Art/JacobsonBoxes005.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/1%20Metal%20and%20Wood%20Garden%20Art/JacobsonBoxes008.jpg[/img]

Eric
User avatar
stella1751
Greener Thumb
Posts: 1494
Joined: Mon Jul 13, 2009 8:40 am
Location: Wyoming

Those are really attractive, Eric. I agree with SPierce; I wish I had you as a neighbor!
garden5
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 3062
Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 5:40 pm
Location: ohio

Wow, you do great work, Eric!

I think, depending on the person, 4 ft. is fine. I mean, like RBG said, it all depends on your reach.

As long as you can comfortably get to the center of the bed without stepping it, it should be fine.

Now, as far as the treated lumber goes, I know that with the old compound used to treat the lumber (Chromated Copper Arsenate), the chromium and arsenic could be uptaken by the plants if I remember correctly.

It's now treated with ACQ, (there may be other treatments as well). I'm not sure how that affects the plants.

Personally, I wouldn't want to use it...but that's just me.
DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

Again, thanks!

Garden5, They say it's now safe, but I still try to avoid it. I was thinking, if she wanted to grow vegetables, she should grow them in the all cedar boxes. Fill the new ones with flowers. :wink:

Eric
User avatar
applestar
Mod
Posts: 30541
Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)

Sorry, just got here. Looks great and I 3rd or 4th wishing you for a neighbor. :wink:
DoubleDogFarm
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 6113
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm

:oops: :oops:

Just wanted let everyone know that half of the Island is for sale.

I'm sure they would love to talk to you.
https://sanjuanislands.com/SearchSJI.shtml

Eric
User avatar
farmerlon
Green Thumb
Posts: 671
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2010 11:42 am
Location: middle Tennessee

DoubleDogFarm wrote:... They say it's now safe, but I still try to avoid it. ...
Yeah, but just look at how many chemicals, once considered safe, were later taken off the market or restricted.
The raised beeds look beautiful. But, for my own peace of mind, I have to agree with you that I would not use the treated lumber for garden beds.


Post Reply

Return to “Vegetable Gardening Forum”