What Kind of Wood Should I Use For a Raised Garden Bed?

What Kind of Wood Should I Use For a Raised Garden Bed?

Let’s start by saying raised garden beds can be constructed using many different materials, such as concrete, steel or breeze blocks, however, wood is the most popular option because it looks fantastic, blends in with the surroundings and offers exceptional strength. There are many different types of woods used, like red cedar, black locust and redwood, but though they are all quality options with unique advantages and disadvantages, oak sleepers are our preferred option and we’ll explain why.

No type of wood can survive as long as oak, and some oak sleepers have been used for up to 80 years, whilst larger sleepers can be used for over a century. Our raised bed kits are made using new planed all round untreated oak garden sleepers, whilst the natural tannins in the oak are more effective in terms of preservation than any man-made alternative.

The oak sleepers we supply can be used to make raised edges and vegetable beds, whist we provide kits that are very easy to construct. In addition, they are very durable and supplied in ideal lengths.

Making raised garden beds from scratch using oak sleepers

There are many different ways in which you can create a raised bed for your garden or landscape, but for a very simple sleeper, it may be best to use four sleepers to form a raised planter that’s large enough to accommodate plenty of plants. That said, you’ll need to make sure that it’s not so large that many that the planter becomes too tall to be groomed, or too large to be able to reach the plants in the centre. The beauty of using strong and chunky oak sleepers, even for a simple raised bed, is that they will ultimately be rigid and wide enough to provide a comfortable seat too – because let’s face it, there’s always going to be one member of the family who decides to take a well-deserved break with a cup of tea by your side!

From an ecological point of view, using reclaimed oak railway sleepers in your garden makes perfect sense. It prevents wood from landfilling unnecessarily while reducing the need to cut down more trees. Reclaimed sleepers also look more natural and deliver a rustic look, whilst benefiting the environment!

Fancy an easier option?

Here at UK Sleepers, we provide a huge range of raised bed kits, making it even easier to add character, style and functionality to your garden – leaving you to take all of the credit! They’re perfect if you’re looking to add your own flowers, herbs and vegetables and need raised beds that are made from the highest quality materials. You can browse the many different designs on our website, but no matter what kind of space you’re looking to utilise, whether it be a tiny area of your garden, a small section beside your shed or a large sleeper for an array of beautiful flowers, we’re confident we have a kit that’s right for you.