I want to get/ make some really big wooden containers (at least 1m x 1m x 0.5m high) for the children in my gardening club to be able to use to grow veg in (the playground is fully tarmaced at the moment unfortunately). If I get some wood, Im guessing that pressure treated is a bad idea with food - is that right? If I dont use pressure treated, how do I stop them rotting? Any ideas of a good strong design or does anyone know where I can get some from that aren't really expensive?

What's your budget? I've used "linkabord" raised bed kits in my veg garden -http://www.linkabord.co.uk/Home.page, recycled plastic beds you can get as complete kits in different sizes or buy the individual components to create your own. They were really easy to put together, are lightweight, won't rot and if you do ever decide to re-site them you can just take them apart again and move them wherever you want.

What's your budget? I've used "linkabord" raised bed kits in my veg garden -http://www.linkabord.co.uk/Home.page, recycled plastic beds you can get as complete kits in different sizes or buy the individual components to create your own. They were really easy to put together, are lightweight, won't rot and if you do ever decide to re-site them you can just take them apart again and move them wherever you want.

I had seen those and they were my first thought - do you think they would work on tarmac though rather than dug ground?

Drainage is going to be your problem whatever you use, so put some stones, broken pots, or something like that at the bottom of the containers before putting the soil in.

You could always try making them out of old pallets - usually easily available - and then lining them with plastic to stop them rotting so quickly.

another cheap and really easy idea is to take old car tyres (or bigger if you can find them) and fill them with soil - just stack to make deeper. They heat up nicely too.

Why not use those square builders sacks with the loop handles in each corner. They are used when delivering a tonne of sand etc

Pierce the bottom a few times for drainage if needed.

Saw these being used on a similar project to yours on Gardeners World.

A builders merchant will surely have some used ones for free. Ive heard they dont like reusing them incase they tear when delivering.

Why not use those square builders sacks with the loop handles in each corner. They are used when delivering a tonne of sand etc

Pierce the bottom a few times for drainage if needed.

Saw these being used on a similar project to yours on Gardeners World.

A builders merchant will surely have some used ones for free. Ive heard they dont like reusing them incase they tear when delivering.

Now thats an interesting idea - thanks for that :) I will contact a few after Christmas to see what I can get. I have also looked into Linkaboards and they definitely seem to be possible too so long as I line them.

Now thats an interesting idea - thanks for that :) I will contact a few after Christmas to see what I can get. I have also looked into Linkaboards and they definitely seem to be possible too so long as I line them.

Your welcome. You could always become a skip rat, as you will often see them in peoples skips. Just need to make sure they are clean. They will need a lot of soil to fill them up to the top though!

B&Q sell a yellow version of them, but at about £10 each :gag:

I kept a few from recent deliveries of sand/gravel for my garden. They are useful for lining my Landrovers boot when collecting bags of manure etc.

I have got several of the large low lift bags you are refering to. How many do you want ?

You can have them if you like, just collect from S20.

Also, I can get hold of collars that fit onto pallets, we use them at work. These might solve the drainage problem as well. Put a pallet on the tarmac, stack a couple of collars which would make it about 50 cm high, then line the inside with something that will allow water to pass though, weed control would work well.

My mobile no. is 07957 293306 if you want to colelct the bags, if you send me your email address I could send you a photo of a pallet and collars so you know what I am talking about.

Cheers, Dan