Scaffolding Boards in the ground.

[john west]

At our Allotment there is the general attempt by members to place
scaffolding boards around the edge of their planting areas and also to
lay down plastic sheet covered with wood-chip on the surrounding paths.

This keeps the loose earth contained behind the boards at the edge and
the paths free of wet mud.

These scaffolding boards are about £13 each and after a few years partly
buried in the ground start to rot away.

Is there a cheaper and more durable alternative to the scaffolding
boards, to do this job ?

I have in mind perhaps something like overlapping imitation roof slates?

Grateful for any *inexpensive* alternatives to scaffolding boards. Thanks.

[Phil L]

"john west" <mail.in...@mail.invalid> wrote in message
news:n37f6n$2uv$1...@dont-email.me...

> At our Allotment there is the general attempt by members to place
> scaffolding boards around the edge of their planting areas and also to lay
> down plastic sheet covered with wood-chip on the surrounding paths.
>
> This keeps the loose earth contained behind the boards at the edge and
> the paths free of wet mud.
>
> These scaffolding boards are about £13 each and after a few years partly
> buried in the ground start to rot away.
>
> Is there a cheaper and more durable alternative to the scaffolding boards,
> to do this job ?
>
> I have in mind perhaps something like overlapping imitation roof slates?
>

Why imitation roof slates? - why not roof slates, granted, they can be a bit
sharp if you fall on the edge, but imitation ones would be the same, you can
get old slates from any roofer

> Grateful for any *inexpensive* alternatives to scaffolding boards. Thanks.
>

You've only a choice between slate (or concrete), wood, metal or plastic,
wood and metal will rot, plastic is too brittle, bends and is too expensive,
which only leaves something solid

[Tim Lamb]

In message <3tH5y.57989$vF.5...@fx44.am4>, Phil L
<neverc...@hotmail.com> writes

Gravel boards? 6'x1' £6.50 flea bay.
>
>

--
Tim Lamb

[Phil L]

Yeah, something like that would be ideal, they can be had for a fiver each
from any fencing place, an prob a bit cheaper than the scafolding planks

[alan_m]

--
mailto: news {at} admac {dot] myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

[divingbrit]

>> Yeah, something like that would be ideal, they can be had for a fiver each
>> from any fencing place, an prob a bit cheaper than the scafolding planks

I have tried Scaffolding boards, but as you say they rot, now I use
Decking Boards, 2.4m long are Ł4.49 at wickes. Have had them around my
strawberry patch for at least eight years and they still look good.

[stuart noble]

Eternit tiles or old slate are about the same price IIRC. 350mm slabs
cut in half about the same too

[Phil L]

"divingbrit" <divin...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:q56g5bdbk00kffdtq...@4ax.com...

Decking boards are a decent alternative given that they are tannalised
(pressure treated with preservatives) but they'll still rot eventually.
That said, concrete fence panels disintegrate after a while - once the steel
rods start to rust, they blow the concrete to bits

[Fredxxx]

Gravel Boards of the concrete variety about the same price as
scaffolding boards:

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Recessed-Concrete-Gravel-Board-50mmx150mmx1830mm/p/540064

Not so high but more stable and probably better at holding down any
sheet on account of its weight.

[divingbrit]

>Gravel Boards of the concrete variety about the same price as
>scaffolding boards:
> >http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Recessed-Concrete-Gravel-Board-50mmx150mmx1830mm/p/540064
>>Not so high but more stable and probably better at holding down any
>sheet on account of its weight.

Concrete Gravel Boards would last much better, but twice the price,
and not as flexible, as in being cut to size, and to move around and
even being delivered. And then do you want in some fastenings, (screws
or nails)
'Horses for courses' so lots to think about, as you are planning for
years of use.

[Mark]

you can get pressure treated 6"x1" in 3200 lengths for around £13

(timber merchant and account)



-

[David Hill]

On 26/11/2015 17:26, john west wrote:

I'd have thought that if you treated the upper part of the boards in the
summer when they were dry and then turned the boards in the autumn so
that the part under the soil was brought to the surface then the boards
would last many years, and keeping in mind that you can easily cut them
to size they would be your best bet.
Not as heavy as concrete and deeper that most of the possible alternatives.

[Broadback]

I used second hand sleepers, they lasted years, just got rid of them a
year ago, and the gardener took them to use elsewhere.

[Bigal]

'Broadback[_3_ Wrote:
> ;1017373']On 28/11/2015 18:21, David Hill wrote:-
> On 26/11/2015 17:26, john west wrote:-

> At our Allotment there is the general attempt by members to place
> scaffolding boards around the edge of their planting areas and also to
> lay down plastic sheet covered with wood-chip on the surrounding
> paths.
>
> This keeps the loose earth contained behind the boards at the edge
> and
> the paths free of wet mud.
>
> These scaffolding boards are about £13 each and after a few years
> partly
> buried in the ground start to rot away.
>
> Is there a cheaper and more durable alternative to the scaffolding
> boards, to do this job ?
>
> I have in mind perhaps something like overlapping imitation roof
> slates?
>
> Grateful for any *inexpensive* alternatives to scaffolding boards.

> Thanks.-

>
>
> I'd have thought that if you treated the upper part of the boards in
> the
> summer when they were dry and then turned the boards in the autumn so
> that the part under the soil was brought to the surface then the
> boards
> would last many years, and keeping in mind that you can easily cut
> them
> to size they would be your best bet.
> Not as heavy as concrete and deeper that most of the possible

> alternatives.-

> I used second hand sleepers, they lasted years, just got rid of them a
> year ago, and the gardener took them to use elsewhere.

Boards on allotments seem to be a relatively new thing, and from what
I've seen tend to be used to separate the beds and the paths. You can
make pretty patterns with them.. The beds developed don't appear to be
seriously raised. just the looseness of the soil raising it above the
path level. I no longer have an allotment but the whole plot was dug
as one bed with a couple of planks used to walk on between the rows.
My vegetable garden at home is a different matter with raised beds being
the objective. I used concrete breeze blocks 4" thick. My first bed
was 12" deep, 5 sq. m. and used 99 blocks. At that time the cost was
Just under £50. The blocks were laid flat and space not wasted because
l grow some things in large pots which stand on top. They enable me to
go a lot higher if necessary without the use of cement, and of course
the shape can easily be changed. They build houses with them so they
are not likely to rot. I think a good long term investment for a garden
but not an allotment.




--
Bigal