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What are the best modular raised garden beds?
Spring planting may seem like a long way off, but if you've been thinking about trying modular raised garden beds this year, now is a good time to decide which type is best for you.
Why would you want a modular raised garden bed? They offer many advantages. Raised garden beds prevent grass paths from spreading into planting beds, prevent soil compaction, improve drainage, prevent erosion, and extend the growing season. Filling modular raised garden beds with good soil is also cheaper and less labor-intensive than modifying the entire garden to improve soil texture.
First, a modular raised garden bed is not the same as a planter. Unlike containers, modular raised garden beds are open at the bottom to allow roots to reach into the ground. The best modular raised garden bed for your garden depends on several factors, including aesthetics, ergonomics, and construction materials. The material used for a modular raised garden bed affects aesthetics and ergonomics, and is the biggest environmental factor. Modular raised garden beds are usually made of natural wood, composite, plastic or metal. Each of these materials has costs and benefits, and in all cases there may be no clear environmental winner.
plastic
Although they may be made of recycled plastic and are technically recyclable, we will not be evaluating modular raised garden beds made of HDPE because in practice few communities are able to recycle plastic and the role of plastic in ocean pollution effect.
wood
Naturally decaying woods like cedar and acacia are the best choices for modular raised garden beds. If you can find sustainable sources, mahogany is a good choice. With the EPA banning the sale of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated residential wood, alkaline quaternary ammonium (ACQ) and copper nitride (CA-B) have become standard treatments. However, the organic standard does not cover any type of pressure-treated wood.
composite material
Most composites are a blend of wood fiber and recycled polypropylene, which provides protection from UV radiation. Because composite materials are made from waste and do not rot, they are being hailed as a sustainable alternative to natural wood. However, since they are made from two different wastes that cannot be separated, wood/plastic composite wood is not recyclable.
Metal
Metal modular raised garden beds are generally made of galvanized metal or aluminum-zinc steel, are recyclable and rust-resistant, and have a lifespan of 30 to 70 years. In humid air, zinc and alkaline zinc carbonate type films are formed on the surface, which are very stable, can block air and moisture, are not easily absorbed by plants, and will not have much impact on the growth of plants. Galvanized containers are generally considered to be Safe because high levels of zinc and chromium can kill plants before they are edible.
In addition, the metal modular raised garden bed can be slidably assembled by the keyhole locking mechanism, no tools are required, which greatly saves your labor and material cost, and can be selected in a variety of colors; the galvanized steel metal modular raised garden bed structure produced by our company The special paint used on the surface has no irritating odor and is harmless to the environment and health. It is an environmentally friendly paint with excellent adhesion and protection. fall off.
Why would you want a modular raised garden bed? They offer many advantages. Raised garden beds prevent grass paths from spreading into planting beds, prevent soil compaction, improve drainage, prevent erosion, and extend the growing season. Filling modular raised garden beds with good soil is also cheaper and less labor-intensive than modifying the entire garden to improve soil texture.
First, a modular raised garden bed is not the same as a planter. Unlike containers, modular raised garden beds are open at the bottom to allow roots to reach into the ground. The best modular raised garden bed for your garden depends on several factors, including aesthetics, ergonomics, and construction materials. The material used for a modular raised garden bed affects aesthetics and ergonomics, and is the biggest environmental factor. Modular raised garden beds are usually made of natural wood, composite, plastic or metal. Each of these materials has costs and benefits, and in all cases there may be no clear environmental winner.
plastic
Although they may be made of recycled plastic and are technically recyclable, we will not be evaluating modular raised garden beds made of HDPE because in practice few communities are able to recycle plastic and the role of plastic in ocean pollution effect.
wood
Naturally decaying woods like cedar and acacia are the best choices for modular raised garden beds. If you can find sustainable sources, mahogany is a good choice. With the EPA banning the sale of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated residential wood, alkaline quaternary ammonium (ACQ) and copper nitride (CA-B) have become standard treatments. However, the organic standard does not cover any type of pressure-treated wood.
composite material
Most composites are a blend of wood fiber and recycled polypropylene, which provides protection from UV radiation. Because composite materials are made from waste and do not rot, they are being hailed as a sustainable alternative to natural wood. However, since they are made from two different wastes that cannot be separated, wood/plastic composite wood is not recyclable.
Metal
Metal modular raised garden beds are generally made of galvanized metal or aluminum-zinc steel, are recyclable and rust-resistant, and have a lifespan of 30 to 70 years. In humid air, zinc and alkaline zinc carbonate type films are formed on the surface, which are very stable, can block air and moisture, are not easily absorbed by plants, and will not have much impact on the growth of plants. Galvanized containers are generally considered to be Safe because high levels of zinc and chromium can kill plants before they are edible.
In addition, the metal modular raised garden bed can be slidably assembled by the keyhole locking mechanism, no tools are required, which greatly saves your labor and material cost, and can be selected in a variety of colors; the galvanized steel metal modular raised garden bed structure produced by our company The special paint used on the surface has no irritating odor and is harmless to the environment and health. It is an environmentally friendly paint with excellent adhesion and protection. fall off.