How To Build A Garden Bed That Sleeps?

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to build a raised garden bed with sleepers. Garden sleepers are a popular way to define spaces within a garden, including steps, flower bed edging, raised planters, and benches. To create a raised garden bed with sleepers, follow these steps:

1. Lay the longest sleepers out on the grass where you want to build your bed.
2. Cut the end sleepers, join them together, plan the look of the garden, measure and cut the sleepers, lay sleepers down the sides of the garden bed, remove the sleepers, and remove the grass.
3. Measure and cut the sleepers, place them down the sides of the garden bed, and remove the grass.
4. Remove the sleepers and remove the grass.
5. Install the raised bed using Adbri Masonry’s DIY Concrete Sleeper.
6. Attach the sleepers together, adding another layer as needed until you have the desired height.
7. Mark the lines for the support posts and mark the sleeves for the support posts.
8. Start by digging a shallow trench, marking the shape of the bed using canes and string, and cutting 600 x 75mm blocks out of sleepers. Place the blocks in corners, then predrill and screw through the blocks into sleepers on both sides.

In summary, building a raised garden bed with sleepers is a quick and effective solution for creating a functional and stylish garden space. With basic DIY skills and a few spare weekends, you can create a rustic and reliable raised bed that suits your garden layout.

How long do wooden sleepers last in a garden?

Garden sleepers are versatile timber pieces that can last for many years, with softwood sleepers lasting between 8 and 10 years, and oak sleepers up to 20 years. They are popular for creating raised flower or vegetable beds, lawn edges, retaining walls, garden furniture, decks, ponds, and swimming pools. To cut sleepers, use a circular saw or chainsaw for small, straight cuts, ensuring neat fit. However, if you cut softwood sleepers, you expose the untreated center, so it’s recommended to coat the ends with a wood preservative to protect them from the elements. These versatile pieces of timber are increasingly used in various projects, including raised flower or vegetable beds, lawn edges, retaining walls, and swimming pools.

Can soil touch sleepers?

Sleepers can be placed directly on level, firm soil, or submerged if multiple frames are needed for height. Clear vegetation and remove excess soil to another bed or tarpaulin sheet. If submerging the first sleeper frame, dig a small trench around the bed that is the same width and depth as the sleepers. Use a spirit level or string lines and stakes for accuracy, or paving slabs, blocks, or offcuts of timber for sloped areas. Leveling up the bed frames is essential for a stable and comfortable sleeping environment.

How do you anchor a garden sleeper?

Sleepers can be secured using wooden stakes, which can be sunk into the ground and set with cement. The finish of the sleepers depends on the space, style, and the project. They are both attractive and highly finished, with the choice of finish depending on the project. To conceal screws, dowel plugs can be used, which can be inserted into place and removed with a universal saw. This traditional method ensures a flush and tidy finish, depending on the type of fixing used.

What kind of sleeper should I use for a garden bed?

In the construction of vegetable beds, it is imperative to ensure that the sleepers are not treated with chemicals, stains, or preservatives that have the potential to contaminate the soil. These include substances such as creosote, oil, arsenic, and diesel. Ecowood Pine Sleepers are optimal for this application.

Can you lay sleepers directly on soil?

Concrete is the most recommended method for securing garden sleepers, but there are alternative options like placing them directly onto soil or using gravel or sand. These materials are ideal for draining excess water, preventing moisture from pooling around the sleepers, and preserving the timber. They are also easier to manoeuvre and level during the laying process. Once you have chosen your material, laying and securing your garden timbers is straightforward.

Dig a shallow trench and place your sleepers onto the newly created gravel or sand-based foundation. This method helps to prevent water pooling around the sides of the sleepers, preventing timber rot.

How to make a sleeper plant bed?

A sleeper bed is ideal for plant growth when it has good drainage. A 20mm gravel bed over a weed suppressant can help drain water away from plant roots while limiting weed growth. Lay the sleepers on a level section of ground or gravel bed in a rectangular shape, facing upwards. Use Spax screws 8x200mm at each corner to attach the sleepers together, drilling 105mm into the adjoining sleeper for a solid connection.

Alternatively, use galvanised L brackets for stability. The box shape creates a neat border, and the flower bed can be raised at 7. 87 inches above the ground or added layers for additional height and interest.

How do you stop sleepers from rotting in the ground?

Proper installation is crucial for preventing wood rot and ensuring long-lasting sleepers. Raising sleepers slightly off the ground promotes air circulation and prevents moisture accumulation. Using gravel or concrete as a base helps keep sleepers dry. Investing in proper installation saves time and money in the long run, resulting in significant returns in durability and longevity.

Use pressure-treated wood, which is more resistant to rot and decay, as it undergoes a process that infuses preservatives into the wood. If using untreated wood, consider applying a wood preservative yourself. Treated wood significantly extends the lifespan of sleepers and is especially useful in areas with higher moisture levels.

How long will sleepers last in the ground?

Wooden sleepers’ lifespan depends on the wood species used, treatment, and environmental conditions. Hardwood oak sleepers typically last around 100 years, while untreated softwoods can last between three and five years. In the UK, railway sleepers were traditionally made from spruce, pine, or fir mix conifers. Softwoods remain popular, but oak sleepers are also a durable option. All wood used for sleepers is sourced from sustainable woodlands. No treatments are needed for wood sleepers, as they are naturally durable and can withstand various environmental conditions.

How do you lay a sleeper in your garden?

In order to lay garden sleepers, it is first necessary to create a clear space. The sleepers should then be fixed into position, stacked if desired for height, joined together, and the surface of the sleepers finished off. This process guarantees a comfortable and secure sleeping environment for your plants.

Do you need gravel under sleepers?

The utilization of gravel beneath sleepers is of paramount importance for the purpose of drainage. This is due to the fact that gravel allows for the flow of excess water away from the sleepers, thus preventing the accumulation of water and the subsequent rotting and instability that would otherwise occur.

What is the best base for sleepers?

In the context of garden design with sleepers, the incorporation of a layer of gravel or crushed stone can prove advantageous for soil with optimal drainage characteristics. The use of gravel ensures the proper drainage of soil, prevents the accumulation of water, and protects the underlying sleeper structure from damage.