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Pat · Guest

I want to build some raised veggie beds, and refer to avoid treated pine. I
thought redgum "sleepers" might be good (not actual sleepers, but the planks
about 200mm high by 75mm), but I am a bit concerned about them succumbing to
termites. Is there any non-toxic preparation I can treat them with before
putting the soil in?

loosecanon · Guest

Hi Pat,

There is a product called graniteguard used to deter termites. Apparently
termites hate granite and will avoid it at all costs.

There is a product available from landscaping centres called granite dust,
cracker dust etc etc. Used by paving companies to put Pavers on. It is the
fines and dust left from the blue metal used in making roads. It is cheap to
buy and should do the job.

I would put down a footing that goes beyond the size of your planks/sleepers
and then lay them on top in the centre.

Creosote is another thing used but is messy to deal with and contains a few
nasties. Not so crash hot around veges.

Sold here in WA is a product celled Termimesh. Is a stainless steel mesh
barrier of a certain micron measurement. It stops the termites from entering
because the holes are smaller diameter then the termite is. But is expensive
I would think.

I like the idea of corrugated iron rings as raised beds. Two straight sides
and the ends curved. Only 1.5-2 metres across so you can reach the middle of
the bed comfortably and as long as you like.

Cheers

Richard

"Pat" <patshere@fastmail.fm> wrote in message
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Another Wally · Guest

"loosecanon" <loosecanon@iinet.net.au> wrote in message
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loosecanon · Guest

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gardenlen · Guest

g'day pat,

you don't say where you are from but if the red gum you talk of is the
same as waht we call qld blue gum then it is pretty much termite proof
itself once the sap has dried out of it, and using it as edging it
will last a long time, me i would go for the sleeper size wood in 6
meter lengths it is self supporting and will take a whole lot longer
to begin to break down, we had some still going strong after 8 years
on the ground.

an easier to way to ensure protection maybe would be to get that
aussie made timber/metal protector made from wool greas (lanolin) it
has a good reputation, and a wide application of uses around the home.

like i said i wouldn't worry about the termites too much there is
bound to be easeir stuff for them to chew on around the place.

you can get the timber kiln dried pay a bit extra but that will remove
sap moisture from the wood and minimise shrinkage.

that termite granite barriere needs to be compacted for it to work,
you would also be looking at creating a 300mm x 300mm barrier under
the area the timber is being used, much the same with cracker dust,
and they both work better in dry zone areas, so not sure that they
would be as effective in a wet zone area?

On Tue, 1 Aug 2006 21:17:27 +1000, "Pat" <patshere@fastmail.fm> wrote:

snipped
With peace and brightest of blessings,

len

--
"Be Content With What You Have And
May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In
A World That You May Not Understand."

http://www.gardenlen.com

Pat · Guest

Thanks chaps. I had planned to put the supporting short posts in concrete,
and have the edges of the "sleepers" on shallow concrete footings, but then
I thought "Doh" - the veggie bed will be, oddly enough, full of soil
anyway, so the little critters will be able to tunnel under any footings and
nibble on my sleepers without too much troble. I think I'll just construct
them anyway, and if they last 8 or 10 years, that'll do me, and then I'll
make some more!
"gardenlen" <gardenlen2@bigpond.com> wrote in message
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APR · Guest

"Pat" <patshere@fastmail.fm> wrote in message
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David Hare-Scott · Guest

"Pat" <patshere@fastmail.fm> wrote in message
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Terryc · Guest

Pat wrote:

Thedoc · Guest

We live on the edge of the NSW tablelands and have just built our
raised beds. According to the size of the beds you want - and if you
use the "no dig" method with hardly any soil, then you don't need 75mm
thick timber. We built boxes which are 3.6m by 1.2m by 300mm high,
using tallow wood planks 150mm by 25mm, screwed to battens and lined
with balck plastic on the inside. More than strong enough - and
termites don't like tallow wood. The other trick is to find some black
ant nests and transfer them close to your vegie beds. They won't harm
your vegies and they are reputed to destroy termites - neat biological
control.

If you really need to coat them with anything - there is now the new,
approved and environmentally safe version of the old Creosote,
available from Diggers of WA - but it costs three times as much.

Regards
Thedoc

Pat wrote:

David Hare-Scott · Guest

"Thedoc" <appledore@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message > termites don't like
tallow wood. The other trick is to find some black

ushere · Guest

David Hare-Scott wrote:

Jonno · Guest

ushere wrote:

ushere · Guest

Jonno wrote:

Jonno · Guest

ushere wrote: