Making raised beds out of old pallets

[barefootlinzi]

Can raised beds be made out of old pallets? I have been told of a place I can get them for free and wondered if it would be possible?

[Annpan]

Yup... all sorts of things can be made out of pallets.... you might want to note that the wood will have been treated, and some (although I believe minimal) amounts of chemicals can leach into the ground. I personally don't believe it is anything to worry about.

[MuddyWitch]

Pallets also make brilliant compost bins

MW

[TheGoodEarth]

and fences and kindling

[Annpan]

and firewood and chook houses and sheds and woodstores

[barefootlinzi]

well looks like i will be taking pallets apart tomorrow! The only trouble is - how to transport them to my allotment? We only have a fiesta, no trailer and i am pregnant so probably shouldnt be lifting them.

[TheGoodEarth]

Strap them on a roof rack/bars. If you don't have roof bars can you borrow some?

[barefootlinzi]

i think with the back seats down we might get a couple in. willjust have to do a few runs. and will have to butter up my OH to do some lifting and shuttling back and forth collecting them. he is not green fingered at all so some bribery is in order!

[becks77]

We managed to fit 4 pallets in my smart car, but the biggest mistake was only making them one "rung" (if thats the right word) deep so now I have two beds balanced on top of each other to get the depth

[deborah]

I just got 3 small pallets for free this morning, I am off to get some more next week. I will post pictures of our efforts at raised beds lol !

[bodrighy]

If you are going to split them up why not do it before loading? You'd get a lot more in or are you intending to use them as is?

Pete

[barefootlinzi]

i was under the impression it would be time consuming to split them, so was gonna doit back at the lottie when i had more time. If its not all that tricky maybe i will do it before loading

[gunners71uk]

pallets make great shelter and bench too !

[Thomzo]

The only trouble with pallets is that you never know how they were put together. Some break down really easily with a strong arm and some need a chain saw. If you have a few why not take a crow bar along and try one. If it's too difficult then take them home as is. If it's easy you can break them down there and then.

Pallets are great.

Zoe

[barefootlinzi]

Unfortunatly they were almost impossible to break up, even with a crowbar. The nails stayed in place, the wood came off all split and no good