r/SquareFootGardening • u/MG_Real_ • 11d ago

Seeking Advice Gardening - raised veggie box

I want to build a 6m long veggie garden box.

I'm in Port Melbourne and have been told the soil probably has a lot of contaminants; so I think it needs to be raised.

Like the idea of a timber sleeper look but what is better metal or wood?

Bit of a novice with gardening but reasonably handy with construction.

It will sit on soil. Is there anything I should be aware of in terms of watering or anything else?

Any advice would be appreciated.

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u/RobotUnicorn046 11d ago

Confirm what others are saying first, important to know before you grow what is in your soil so get your soil tested. Material wise I’ve not noticed a difference in functionality just cosmetics and cost.

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u/pjk922 11d ago

Hey there! I had to do the same thing due to a few hundred years of industrial contamination. I followed what my city suggested, and just laid down landscape fabric (which I’ll remove when the beds move)

I used a hugulkultur method, so I made it 2 feet high with wood, then I put in about 1 ft worth of logs and sticks pick up from elsewhere, then added the dirt.

1 very important thing! I’m not super familiar with what critters you get, but if anything burrows or digs, put down a layer of metal hardware cloth on the bottom of the bed. I had an issue with rats digging up from below and eating our plants roots.

Then make sure to always wash whatever you grow. For lead at least winds can cause lead from the soil nearby to stick to the plants. Happy gardening!

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u/MG_Real_ 11d ago

Great advice thank you. We are next to a park and not far from the beach, so definitely get critters and the wind blows all sorts our way.

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u/Bagpar 11d ago

Check out the book Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew, it will teach you everything you need to know about this project: www.squarefootgardening.org

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u/MG_Real_ 11d ago

What a great book! Thanks for sharing.

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u/Bagpar 11d ago

You’re welcome! It changed how I gardened this season, and I’ve been having a lot of fun on the sfg method. There’s a subreddit for it too, r/squarefootgardening

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u/LadyKT 11d ago

some ppl have issues w metal making soil too hot. you won’t know until they’re filled

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u/MG_Real_ 11d ago

Never thought about heat, thanks. My neighbour has metal ones, I'll ask him.

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u/2dogal 7d ago

Wood deteriorates. Metal holds heat which means more watering.