Content
- Durable solution for the modern gardener: raised bed made of metal
- Metal - a versatile and durable material
- Types of raised metal beds
- Advantages and disadvantages of different materials
- Build metal raised beds yourself
- Lining up high beds of metal
- Tips
Also raised beds made of metal should be lined inside
Durable solution for the modern gardener: raised bed made of metal
Although raised beds are usually made of wood, there are a number of materials that are much more durable. In addition to the stone used also different metals are recommended for the border of such a bed. These are often very durable and can be used very versatile or combine with other materials.
Previous article How to build a raised bed of stone Next article How to fill the raised bed properlyMetal - a versatile and durable material
Whether galvanized and shiny or in modern "rust-optics" in the form of Cortensteel - metal is an attractive and very long-lasting material, which is also very well suited for round or curved beds. Metal raised beds are also often provided with a so-called "Schneckenkante", so that the voracious pests actually have no access to the fresh green. Especially recommended for the balcony are table high beds made of light metal sheet. These take up little space and do not stress the statics too much. Although it is true that very different metal materials can be used to build a raised bed, you should better keep your fingers away from potentially dangerous raw materials that might release toxins to their environment. Expended railway sleepers, for example, are not suitable for a raised bed.
Types of raised metal beds
Metal raised beds offer a lot of variety: In addition to Corten steel with its rustic patina and galvanized raised beds made of sheet metal, powder-coated and / or painted in different colors as desired boxes made of steel, iron or aluminum are available. In addition, metal can be very well combined with other materials: To fill gabions (wire mesh baskets) with stones and use them as a border for raised bed or insert wooden slats in a frame made of aluminum struts. All types of the same is the great robustness and stability of the material - which also fits visually especially in modern landscaped gardens. Who wants to buy a raised bed for the balcony or the terrace, should be careful: Not all metal raised beds are lightweights.
Advantages and disadvantages of different materials
Raised beds made of rust or corten steel have an interesting, rustic look due to the rust-red coloring. However, these patina also have a disadvantage, it is even on new raised beds still strong or can even be wiped off in part. Only after some time the rust solidifies. Much more serious, however, is the fact that the rust continues to eat through the steel and the material therefore becomes more quickly obsolete. Raised beds made of stainless steel, which are also very heavy and unwieldy, are significantly more durable. Lighter (and therefore also suitable for the balcony) is aluminum. Use iron or copper as materials, schedule their corrosion immediately - untreated iron will rust and copper will expose to green spills through contact with oxygen over time.
Build metal raised beds yourself
In the trade there are a multiplicity of different kits for elevated beds of metal. You will find the pase raised bed for every purpose, but you can also build one yourself from your own materials. For example, metal plates can be welded together as desired, creating a stable box for planting. The disadvantage is that you can not separate welded parts again and of course they are immobile. Palisades are also suitable instead of slabs, buried vertically in the ground, for the framing of a raised bed.
Lining up high beds of metal
The manufacturers of prefabricated kits often claim that lining the metal raised beds with foil is not necessary. The material would not need moisture protection. Nevertheless, lining is useful, for example, with bubble wrap, as well as a insulating layer of polystyrene foam or, if it is to be ecological, softwood wood fiber boards. In contrast to wood or plastic, metal is an excellent conductor of heat, which can be a problem in both summer heat and winter frost. The heat is directed through the metal border into the interior of the bed, so that the roots of the plant are literally "cooked". In winter, the metal has no protective effect, for example, to protect the roots of perennial plants from the cold. An insulation (which of course must be protected with foil against moisture) between metal wall and filling is therefore essential.
Tips
Special care oils are available on the market, with which the surfaces of the metal raised bed can be sealed against the ingress of moisture. Their use is particularly useful for raised beds made of Corten steel or other corrosive or oxidizing materials.