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Metal raised beds

alfharris8alfharris8 Posts: 513
in Plants
Does anyone have these?
Opinions welcomed. Thanks. 
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Posts

  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    My thoughts.
    Wood is cool in hot weather...roots will stay strong in hot weather.
    Metal will get red hot...any roots near it will be killed.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    edited August 2022
    I have metal edging but only on the east and north sides of a bed. If I was considering proper metal raised beds I want to use something to line the metal inside - wood, insulation panels or similar to protect from heat and only choose edging plants that like to bake. Even so, best if they were shaded to the south and west. Trailing plants might burn. In saying all that, Adam Frost had metal raised veg beds in his last garden. I don’t know if his were lined..
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    What are you planning to grow in them and is what is your intended location like?
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • alfharris8alfharris8 Posts: 513
    @Plantminded - I was just asking on a casual research basis at the moment. 
    We have a lot of trouble keeping things (from ground level and above) off any produce we try to grow.
    We haven't really got a proper set up but would like to try to get things as right as possible from the outset.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I thought I'd check first @alfharris8, just in case an alternative might suit you better!  I don't use metal as containers in my garden for the reasons identified above.  I can think of a couple of advantages though.  The metal won't rot and the soil will warm up more quickly in spring, particularly around the edges, allowing you to plant edibles earlier. 

    There's lots of accessories you can buy to keep unwelcome visitors off raised beds, like these: Raised Bed Protection Covers - Harrod Horticultural

    I also found this article which may help you: 
     
    Pros And Cons Of Metal Raised Garden Beds  - Designing Idea

    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I've just thought of another possible option.  Have you considered the Veg Trug idea?  (Flying and leaping visitors will still need to be kept at bay but you can buy covers for this too!)

    VegTrug: See What You Can Grow
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • ChezNousChezNous Posts: 40
    I have a couple of rectangular ones, the type with a separate inner bag, they are both in my courtyard which does not get much direct sun. I've always planned to use them for annuals and dahlias and have kept them set up for the last few years. Currently only dahlias are growing there and I've never noticed any issues with over heating even in our recent heat waves due to the aspect luckily. 
    Late to gardening .... @cheznousgarden
  • scrogginscroggin Posts: 437
    The new vegetable plot at RHS Wisley use 1/4" mild steel plate for raised beds, they're higher than standard beds, I'd say 24" . From what I've seen on my visits the plants in the beds were doing well.
  • scrogginscroggin Posts: 437
    Here's a picture from my archive.
  • alfharris8alfharris8 Posts: 513
    Thank you very much for all the replies. 
    I appreciate the effort made and I will have a look at the articles. 👍
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