You could grow plants like marigolds etc. in the middle. You don't need to harvest those, but you do need to plant them, which would require you to step on your dirt, which is never recommended.

I would go with 4x8 beds, even if it means you have to supplement with other materials. It may even be inexpensive to buy the same stuff to complete 6 beds. You decide.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sinfonian's garden adventure!

Unfortunately the manufacturer is out of Ohio, and they charge $40 per timber + expensive shipping charges.

It may be worth it to have a match, but I'll have to see.

My other option is to make 3 of the additional beds only 5.5" high and not 11" high (double stacked).

That would leave me with enough timber.

What a great find!! I bet they got the point that you were really interested with those 8 emails LOL!! :)
I would break them down to smaller size. Even if you were to plant something non-harvestable in the middle, you would still need to get in to cut things back that might be taking over, or to get any weeds.
I wouldn't use PT, but that is just me - I'm paranoid LOL. I would either leave out the 6th bed and just have 5, or I'd build it out of something else. Maybe you can start on the 5 beds, then more stuff will pop up on craigslist??
I ended up just using pine this year because I didn't want to spend tons of money in case I didn't really like gardening. I'll replace it in a few years if I'm still at it.

I just did the math, and I'm actually 8 timbers short (takes 8 to make the 8X8 bed, but 6 to make the 4 X 8 bed).

So this would allow me to make 4 11" high beds, and 1 5.5" bed. Which is still only 5 beds, with one of them not the full height.

I wonder if you can buy 6X6's that aren't PT? I would think 6X6 would take forever to rot, and I could paint them to match the plastic ones. I could pick up 8 more 6X6's, then i'd have a full 6 beds.

Decisions decisions.....

I'd put a wide board, foot-wide small rock or concrete block path down the middle of the wide bed. You could probably balance on a 12" path long enough to plant and harvest on both sides. You'd be losing a few squares (8), but I think it's a fair trade off for the bargain you got. You could even make the path 2' wide and still have a 3' wide planting bed on each side. That would be more comfortable for you.

I just bought 8-foot 2x6 deck boards from Lowes at about $7 each, so it's not cheap to build the beds, but worth it in the long run. The material you *stole* is the ultimate, as far as I'm concerned. If I were younger I'd go to the expense myself, but I have a feeling the deck boards will outlast me *g*

Granny

Here is a link that might be useful: Annie's Kitchen Garden

I just thought of something.

I could make two 4 X 16 ft beds, and I'd only be missing the ends (4 boards) instead of 8.

Or if I wanted to get to cutting with the circular saw, I could make two 4 X 12 beds.

That would only leave me with 4 beds unfortunately, so I'd still have to figure out what to make the other beds with. But I wouldn't have a hodge podge of material in those 4 beds at least.

I wouldn't use the 8x8's because you can't reach the whole thing. Even if you plant the center with something you don't have to harvest, you won't be able to weed there or run off bugs, mites, and critters. Or treat bacterial type infections. Or gaze lovingly at that side of your plants. Why haven't you considered 4x4's or 2x2's? I have a bunch of 2x2's and I think they're more decorative and I think they're easier to plant and change around.

You know, that's not an awful idea carolyn. It will cut down on my growing space, but for example, i'm considering growing strawberries next year.

One of those 4X4 beds might be perfect for that.

I see you are in zone 4/5, what part of the country? If you have Amish living nearby they will rip them length wise at a very reasonable price. At 2 X 6 you would have more boards than you need.

John

Here is a link that might be useful: Johns Journal

I appreciate it John, and if they were wood it would be a good idea.

But they are Recycled plastic, and not 100% solid (although they are very sturdy).

So ripping them length wise wouldn't be an option.