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Setting sleepers

28bs28bs Posts: 4
in Garden design

I have an area of ground 7mx7m that was formerly a play area. I have removed the bark and plan to use sleepers (2.4m x 200mm x 100mm) to create raised beds (2 sleepers high, on the thin edge, directly on the soil which is well compacted as it has been undisturbed for 18 years). When the beds are in place I will dig out between the beds to create bark paths. Will the soil under the sleepers be able to hold the weight as I will have removed the soil from the one side, or do I need to create concrete bases?

Posts

  • 28bs28bs Posts: 4

    Thanks Doghouse for the advice, concrete it is. Sorry for the delay in replying.

  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    28bs, with that dimension of sleeper it'll take about 20 years to rot them. All you need is some balast. There's no need for concrete.

  • a1154a1154 Posts: 1,073

    I have some too, i am going to use pea gravel. 

  • 28bs28bs Posts: 4

    Dave, but if I lay the sleeprs on ballast, when I dig away the soil around the raised beds to create bark paths could the ballast move?

    Regards

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 53,959

    If you're putting them on their edges. I'd suggest you put in some corner posts to bolt them to. Once they're filled with soil, they'll be pretty unstable if they're used that way  image 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • michael mpcmichael mpc Posts: 422

    hi 28bs  if you go down the way to put some posts in get some pins to tie the 2 sleepers and hammer them together so they will not move   ( the pins are like a large  U  BUT FLAT IN THE MIDDLE SO YOU CAN HAMMER A BIT AT ATIME )   till both tied  a good  builders merchants will have them image

  • 28bs28bs Posts: 4

    Fairygirl

    I am using metal angle brackets and metal strips to secure the sleepers

  • michael mpcmichael mpc Posts: 422

     hi 28bs   the metal pins i.am talking about when I worked in a big builders merchants we sold them and double spiked pins about as thick as your little finger but if the brackets are strong enough    sounds ok  good luck      michael

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