Does anyone use metal/composite raised beds in their garden?

[nomad100]

I am on track to rebuild my wood beds for the 3rd time in 10 years and I am over it.  

Anyone use metal or composite raised beds?  I have a variety of bed sizes though the majority are 6x3 or 4x4.

[InBetweenDays]

What kind of wood have you used? Our cedar raised beds are 9 years old and are still going strong.

That said, there are a number of homes nearby that use those galvanized tubs for planters and those seem to work well.

[nomad100]

Mar 18, 2021 12:32:59 GMT -5 InBetweenDays said:

What kind of wood have you used? Our cedar raised beds are 9 years old and are still going strong.

That said, there are a number of homes nearby that use those galvanized tubs for planters and those seem to work well.

I used either cedar fence pickets or regular lumber since I didn't want to use pressure treated lumber in the garden and this is the first year I have been in the financial place where I can invest in something more expensive.  The cedar fence pickets have cracked and split over time and the others just rotted away.   

Looking at galvanized metal or BPA free plastic wood composite since they seem to have a much longer lifespan than any wood and won't leech anything into the soil.  

[InBetweenDays]

Mar 18, 2021 13:48:12 GMT -5 nomad100 said:

Mar 18, 2021 12:32:59 GMT -5 InBetweenDays said:

What kind of wood have you used? Our cedar raised beds are 9 years old and are still going strong.

That said, there are a number of homes nearby that use those galvanized tubs for planters and those seem to work well.

I used either cedar fence pickets or regular lumber since I didn't want to use pressure treated lumber in the garden and this is the first year I have been in the financial place where I can invest in something more expensive.  The cedar fence pickets have cracked and split over time and the others just rotted away.   

Looking at galvanized metal or BPA free plastic wood composite since they seem to have a much longer lifespan than any wood and won't leech anything into the soil.  

Yeah, we didn't use pressure treated either but we did use 2x6 so maybe the extra thickness has helped them last longer. 

The galvanized metal may leach zinc, but I don't think it would be at concentrations that are high enough to be a concern.