What Happened to Bridies? (2024)

FAQs

How long do birdies raised beds last? ›

Categorised as non-hazardous according to the SDS. How long will they last? Because they don't rust, corrode, or break down in any way your Birdies Garden Bed will last years - beds that were built in 2007 are still in use in Aussie gardens!

Steel Is a Safe Material for Organic Kitchen Gardens

You can't go wrong with steel as a raised bed material if your budget allows. You'll be enjoying the beauty of your beds for decades to come.

Metal garden beds usually last at least 30 years, assuming they are well maintained. The biggest factor affecting the life of metal garden bed is the type of soil it often contacts. High acid soil will destroy the zinc layer around the metal garden bed, which will shorten the service life of the bed itself over time.

This is yet another reason why Aluzinc steel is a superior material to use for raised bed gardening. Wood, plastic, and less durable metals all break down over time. When used as material for raised bed gardens, the breakdown of material causes contaminants to seep into the soil, roots, and plants growing there.

The Birdies Original Raised Corrugated Garden Bed was created by Simon Bird in 2007 after noticing farmers using old corrugated water tanks as garden beds. After receiving positive feedback at Garden Expos, Simon and Neill Bosch decided to start manufacturing the beds themselves in 2008.

Raised Garden Beds Can Last a Couple Years to a Lifetime

Here's the short answer based on the type of material used for the raised bed: WOOD RAISED BED: 5-10 years. METAL RAISED BED: 30 years. STONE RAISED BED: lifetime.

Types of Wood to Use for Raised Beds

My favorite wood to use is cedar because it's an incredibly durable and attractive timber that will perform well for years to come. Other woods that don't decay or rot quickly include redwood, cypress, and hemlock.

The cons of raised beds

The soil mix also can be a significant, albeit one-time, expense. Raised beds need water more often since the soil is more exposed to air and dries quicker. Similar to growing in containers, the extra watering can leach nutrients out of the soil quicker than in-ground gardens.

Will a metal garden bed cause plants and soil to overheat? The answer is no. The temperature of the soil near the edges of the garden may rise slightly on a warm day but not enough to have any impact on your plants. If you properly water your garden bed plants, you should not have to worry about them drying up.

Concrete blocks or bricks: These building materials can be arranged to form the walls of your raised bed. They are safe, sturdy, and long-lasting. Stone: Natural stone can be a beautiful, durable, and safe choice for a raised bed. Galvanized steel: Galvanized steel is another option.

Should I line a metal raised bed? ›

Many experienced gardeners recommend lining raised beds for these reasons: It provides insulation for the soil and helps control temperature fluctuations. It helps with soil retention. It separates weeds from seeds.

There is a visible difference between the two as an aluminum-zinc alloy metal appears to almost have a matte finish. Galvanized metal corrodes linearly, and eventually, the zinc coating is completely depleted, whereas an aluminum-zinc alloy experiences some corrosion, but on a smaller and less significant scale.

Yes, zinc and cadmium can leach due to long-term exposure to water and changes in soil acidity levels. However, it only leaches a small amount, which is actually safe.

The zinc coating is safe enough that it's been used for livestock feeding and watering. It's unlikely to leach into your food. Steel garden containers aren't likely to become too hot for your plants. And best of all, you'll be able to grow healthy food in them.

While untreated wood has a limited lifetime, using cedar, redwood, cypress, or hemlock can prolong the garden's life expectancy by five or ten years, meaning you can enjoy decades with your wooden raised beds. Steel is next in durability, and stone and brick can quite literally last a lifetime.

Keep the Insides Dry

Occasionally sprinkle the insides with drying agents, such as baking soda, to keep odors at bay. If the insoles are removable, remember to take them out for regular washing or rinsing. And this may sound obvious, but alternate pairs. This gives your shoes time to breathe between wearings.

While raised beds can dry out quicker than in-ground gardens, they also allow you to put the water exactly where you need it—at the plants' root zones. Whether you use drip irrigation or hand watering, no water runs off to where it's not needed.

Durable GreenBed's patented, recycled, wood-cement composite panel material lasts 20-25 years, looking great, year after year.