Larry,

We use untreated lumber and it does last 4 to 6 years here, depending on how dry or wet those years happen to be. We don't treat it with anything.

The Noble Foundation (based in Ardmore,OK) has built some demonstration beds from wood framing and corrugated metal. They also have tried plastic mesh beds (like you mentioned the other day) and recycled tire beds. I'll try and find a link for you. Around here, it is often possible to 'salvage' corrugated metal from old pole barns or sheds that people don't use any longer.

Dawn

Here is a link that might be useful: Noble Foundation Raised Beds Research

I saw some of those with wood framing and corrugated metal.I thought it was a good idea.

The wood you could cut up and to disposed of. The tin could be hauled to the recycler. Out where I live you can leave meatle on the side of the road and a scrapper will stop and pick it up.

Thanks guys, I have most of the material,(except soil) here or over at the old house that I would need for the sheet metal bed.

I think I will start on a new garden spot in a few days.
I need to rotate crops and with one small garden it is hard to do that.

I have Septoria on my tomatoes and they are a disaster. This is my first year to try to go chemical free.

Dawn I printed the pages from "Dirt Doctor" and plan on trying some of the formulas listed. I also have some "Jerry Baker" books that I used years ago. Maybe between the two of them, and this form I may learn to garden.

I will have to say that I grew a much prettier garden when I used chemicals, I must have not used too many, because I also had lots of earth worms.

Well, thanks again guys, Larry

I used Trex decking and I love it. I chose Trex because it will last forever and I will not have to worry about chemicals leeching into the soil.

I have some super sacks that they hauled spice in. They have a smell so strongthat they cant be returned.

If I built a frame to hold up the top. They may last a couple of years.

They are 40x48x I would guess 36 tall. I bet they would hold 2 ft. of dirt with out blowing out.