Anyone who wants to build a raised bed - especially if it is to be made of wood - is often advised to line the inside of the bed box with waterproof foil. Pond and bubble liners are not a cheap purchase - quite the opposite - in addition, ecologically conscious people in particular attach great importance to keeping their garden free of any plastic and its potentially harmful vapors. So is it possible to build a raised bed without foil?

A raised bed made of stone does not need foil

Stone raised beds do not require liner

Of course this is possible - if you make your raised bed out of stone! This material is extremely robust, durable, ecological (especially if you build the raised bed from field stones you collected yourself) and you can do without any foil without damaging the stone. Both natural stones such as granite, slate or sandstone, but also concrete come into question. Very beautiful raised beds can be created in particular from concrete blocks and palisades, shaft rings and similar starting materials.

Can wooden raised beds be protected from rapid decay without foil?

It should be said quite clearly here: wood that is permanently in contact with moisture rots within a few years. So if you don't cover your wooden raised bed with a waterproof film, the damp inner workings will have a constant effect on the wood. Of course you can still do without a foil - but then you have to build a new raised bed every few years. There are no ecological alternatives to a pond or dimpled liner - at least none that would be just as effective. Nevertheless, you can do without a foil and instead resort to the following (admittedly also not eternally durable) measures:

  • Cover the inside of the wooden raised bed with coconut mats (€21.90).
  • This natural material rots slower than others and keeps at least a little moisture out.
  • However, it is not 100% protection!
  • Only use weather-resistant hardwoods, e.g. B. Larch.
  • Switch to low raised beds made of woven willow.
  • These can be compacted with clay - just like in earlier times.
  • Hardened, such natural raised beds serve their purpose for a few years.

Instead of foil, the inside of a wooden raised bed can also be covered with other materials, such as stone (old paving slabs, used roof tiles…). However, these are difficult to attach and also increase the weight of the raised bed considerably - as a result, a solid foundation is essential. It is easier if you simply cover a classic stone raised bed (e.g. shaft rings) from the outside with wood (e.g. with wooden palisades) and thus enhance the look.

tips

If you decide to use a film, look carefully at the material used when purchasing. There is also non-toxic and ecologically harmless foil without plasticizers.

Category:

Vegetable garden