Hey everyone! I'm planning to grow some food in my screen enclosure, but I live in an area that sees a lot of heavy rain and hot, humid summers. I'm looking for suggestions on building a raised garden container that has a medium to high capacity, is made from non-toxic materials that won't affect the soil, and can withstand the weather. I'm really struggling to find something that holds up outside since most materials deteriorate quickly in the sun and rain. Any ideas? Thanks a lot!
3 Answers
Using stone, brick, or cedar seems to be a solid choice! I’ve heard about Hügelkultur too, which can work with decomposing materials to create some awesome raised beds. Definitely worth checking out!
I just got some galvanized steel bed kits from VegoGarden, and they're pretty affordable and easy to assemble! They last longer than cedar or redwood, and you can configure them in different shapes. There are a lot of misconceptions about toxins in treated wood too. Most modern treatments are safer, but if you're worried, stick to the materials that are known to last without leaching toxins into the soil. Trust me, the majority of your soil remains uncontaminated even near pressure-treated wood!
I totally get the concern about materials! I went with cedar for my beds since I don’t trust treated wood anymore, but if you’re open to other options, livestock troughs made of galvanized material could work too! They’re really durable and have a rustic look.