Sleepers for Strawberry patch

[aawales]

Hi guys...

first question on here so please be gentle He he

I plan to get rid of the terrible looking log roll border that surrounds my strawberry patch. The sleepers I plan to use are new from wickes and are 250mm high, which is a perfect height for my use.

I plan to level off the ground as best as possible, lay down some thick polythene followed by a bed of sand on top, basically set the sleeper down and level off with a mallet (2 right angled sleepers will be at either end to square off), the polythene will be long enough to wrap up the back of the sleeper to prevent the soil coming into contact to prevent rot as much as possible.

Now as it is only for a strawberry patch border, do I need to secure it in anyway or will the weight of the sleepers be enough?

Many Thanks!!

 

[mikej2005]

Are these the ones you're using ? http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/209394

If so, then they're pressure-treated which is a good start. Lining the inside with polythene will help reduce the chances of rot from the wet soil, but I'd imagine they'd last many, many years even if you did nothing as they're pretty substantial !

If I was doing this, I'd probably give them a few coats of a decent exterior wood preserver and/or waterproofing preserver (oil-based, not quick-drying/water-based) as this will give additional protection and help fend off the rot for as long as possible.

If they're to be layed in a square arrangement (like in the photo), then I would stick a couple of long screws in the ends (you may have to recess the screws if you can't find any long enough) or use a couple of L-shaped brackets on the inside, to make the frame rigid and stop the soil pushing them over.

 

[aawales]

Are these the ones you're using ? http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/209394

If so, then they're pressure-treated which is a good start. Lining the inside with polythene will help reduce the chances of rot from the wet soil, but I'd imagine they'd last many, many years even if you did nothing as they're pretty substantial !

If I was doing this, I'd probably give them a few coats of a decent exterior wood preserver and/or waterproofing preserver (oil-based, not quick-drying/water-based) as this will give additional protection and help fend off the rot for as long as possible.

If they're to be layed in a square arrangement (like in the photo), then I would stick a couple of long screws in the ends (you may have to recess the screws if you can't find any long enough) or use a couple of L-shaped brackets on the inside, to make the frame rigid and stop the soil pushing them over.

Thats the very ones mate. I plan to coat them with surplus clear decking oil I have. I did plan to put some long screws in the ends for sure, I forgot to mention this is my initial post.
Thanks for you advice buddy!!

 

[r896neo]

I just did one a few months ago for some veg etc. Very small very simple with some left over sleepers from a landscaping job. Just sprayed the grass with round-up left it for two weeks and then dug it over well with a fork and dumped in plenty of soil manure and sand. I just banged 2 timberloks through each corner. The sleepers are heavy enough not to go anywhere. 3m x 1.5m. Ifs full to bursting and i should have made it twice the size.

View media item 36322 View media item 36323

 

[aawales]

I just did one a few months ago. Very small very simple with some left over sleepers from a landscaping job. 3m x 1.5m. Ifs full to bursting and i should have made it twice the size.

View media item 36322 View media item 36323

Looks great! Thats what I am aiming for.