Re: Raised iris bed construction
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: Raised iris bed construction
- From: J* I* J* <j*@ix.netcom.com>
- Date: Wed, 6 Aug 1997 17:30:42 -0600 (MDT)
Teresa Cobb wrote:
>
> I hope this is not considered too much off topic....I am going to make
> some raised beds to plant iris in. My question: Is a 2x4 on its side
> deep enough or should I get something more along the lines of
> landscape timbers? I know RR ties are a no-no due to their coating.
Hi Teresa,
The reason why you want raised beds might affect how high you want them.
If it is because your soil is just terrible (like mine - solid clay for
at least 15' deep) you might like to use something deeper - like 2 X 12
s. I set mine in place, dug 6-8" down below soil level, lined them with
rabbit wire to keep out the gophers etc, and back filled with a soil
mixture. So I have beds about 18" deep that are 12" above soil level.
If you just want to set them off, 2 X 4s ought to be fine. If you want
better drainage I would think that 2 X 6s would be better, and maybe
putting drain pipe in the bottom would be a good idea. Lots of variables
here.
If you would like more info about my beds please email me off list at
jijones@ix.netcom.com.
John | "There be dragons here"
| Annotation used by ancient cartographers
| to indicate the edge of the known world.
John Jones, jijones@ix.netcom.com
Fremont CA, USDA zone 8/9 (coastal, bay)
Max high 95F/35C, Min Low 28F/-2C average 10 days each
Heavy clay base for my raised beds.
