No Dig Garden (forum)

May starts with ...
Hi, I got hold of 5 wooden apple bins from an orchard this weekend. The bin dimensions are 1.2m x1.2m x0.5m. I would love to use them as raised no dig garden bed. Trouble is I have no idea what is the best way to go about doing it. I could put a couple of them on the lawn area, and a couple of them on concrete path. Do I need to line the bin with weed mat? Would the bottom of the bins rot in no time because of the moisture? or am I supposed to cut off the bottom bit?... So many questions... would love your help please.

Thanks,
May

Time: 2nd August 2009 11:02pm

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About the Author May
Melbourne
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amanda says...
Hi May - on the concrete path u may need drainage at some point - make sure water can drain out. Sounds great! no problems putting on lawn and u won't need weed mat at that depth. If in doubt (eg: couch grass) spray with Round Up first (not residual) or hand weed or lay thick newspaper first...

If u are worried about the bottoms rotting u could always try a base line of old bricks to set them on top of. Wood naturally will biodegrade - depends how thick the planks of wood are? If they are thin pine then they may not last more than a cupla years. U get what u pay for.. :)

Time: 3rd August 2009 1:46am

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
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May says...
Thanks Amanda for the tips. I paid $1.25 for the bins, they are not treated, not sure what they are but I think they are pine. This is my first vegie patch project and I am so excited, can't wait to get started. Thanks again,
May

Time: 3rd August 2009 9:43am

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About the Author May
Melbourne
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amanda says...
Hi May - u may want to try one first - to make sure the side planks will hold when full of wet soil? It's pretty heavy stuff! U could line them with weed mat if u want to keep them drier for longer - it wouldn't really matter if the bottom rots if u are not planning on moving them. Just make sure water can leak out the bottom so that the plants are not sitting in a bath :)
Bargain price! I could use a few of those around here..

Time: 3rd August 2009 2:53pm

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
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May says...
Yes, it's a real bargain, but it costs around $50 for the hire of a trailer so it worked out to be around $10 per bin which is still good value. The bins are very solid and heavy, it should hold the soils very well. The orchard owner used a forklift to pile them onto the trailer!

Time: 3rd August 2009 5:25pm

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About the Author May
Melbourne
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Brendan says...
Hi May & amanda, have a look at this site:
http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s867068.htm
Esther Dean 'invented' the no-dig garden many years ago :-)

Time: 4th August 2009 8:58am

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About the Author Brendan
Mackay, Q
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May says...
Thanks Brendan for the link. :)

May

Time: 4th August 2009 4:19pm

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About the Author May
Melbourne
#UserID: 1661
Posts: 19
View All May's Edible Fruit Trees