Slate beds: the pros and cons and how to do it yourself, the rules of care
Creating slate beds allows you to hold the soil in a certain area. At the same time, they look very attractive. For the construction of such structures, it is not necessary to use new materials. For this, the slate that remained after the replacement of the roof is quite suitable. This material is durable. Even when in contact with organic substances, it retains its characteristics.
Is it possible to fence the beds with slate?
Slate beds are made quite often. This sheet material is convenient to cut into fragments and mount. At the same time, the influence of slate on the garden depends on its composition.
There are several varieties of material:
- Asbestos-cement - includes 10% asbestos and 85% cement. In its pure form, asbestos is a major he alth hazard. However, when combined with cement, it is significantly reduced.
- Metallic - includes a composition based on steel and aluminum. Its surface is covered with a polymeric material. Its disadvantage is the risk of rust in case of constant contact with wet soil.
- Ondulin - has a wavy shape and resembles roofing material in composition. It does not deteriorate under the influence of water. However, very flexible sheets lose their shape in a short time under the influence of the weight of the soil. The material is used as a border.
- From PVC - the material is perfect for beds. Plastic is resistant to water, characterized by strength and flexibility. To create attractive beds, you should use multi-colored polycarbonate.
To increase the service life of slate, its sheets should be painted on both sides. For the design of the beds, it is not recommended to use damaged materials that have cracks or chips.
The disadvantage of slate is strong heating under the influence of sunlight. As a result, the soil near the sides quickly dries up. Therefore, in the summer, it is recommended to systematically water the plants.
Pros and cons
The advantages of this type of material include the following:
- High strength. With proper fastening, the material does not deform under the weight of the soil. Therefore, it can be used to create fences for very long beds.
- Affordable price.
- Long service life.
- Attractive appearance.
- Easy to handle beds.
- Variety of shapes and profiles.
At the same time, the material also has certain disadvantages:
- Fragility. Install the material carefully to avoid damaging it.
- Intense heat. To avoid drying out of the soil, the soil will have to be constantly watered.
- The need to use stakes or frame construction. If this is not done, the sides may tilt and move under the weight of the soil.
Slate selection
Slate can be flat or wavy. In this case, the first variety is considered less reliable than the second. Straight sheets can look like this:
- unpressed;
- pressed.
For the construction of beds, flat slate, which belongs to the pressed type, is more suitable. Wave sheets are perfect for building high beds. They may have the following varieties:
- with a regular profile - the material is suitable for creating small beds;
- with a reinforced profile - it is permissible to use for high structures;
- unified - suitable for all types of fences.
Cooking instructions
For the construction of such structures to be successful, it is important to think through all the stages of their creation.
Required tools and materials
For the construction of homemade structures you will need the following:
- hand saw or grinder;
- shovel;
- electric jigsaw;
- hammer;
- electric drill;
- metal rods or wooden pegs.
To protect the sheets from moisture and improve the appearance of the slate, the material can be painted. This is done before installation.
Height and dimensions
The beds should have the following dimensions:
- The height of the sides - up to 50 centimeters for simple structures and 75 centimeters for high beds. In the second case, it is also important to take into account the penetration into the ground. It must be at least 40 centimeters.
- Width - must not exceed 1.5 meters. It is recommended to process such a bed from all sides. Larger widths are considered less practical. It will complicate the care of plants located in the center.
- Length - selected individually. It all depends on the size of the plot and the personal preferences of gardeners.
Cutting slate
To make a garden bed with your own hands, you need to cut slate sheets. In this case, it is recommended to cut wavy plates in strips in height. This will require a circular saw that has a stone attachment.
The length of a standard sheet is 175 centimeters. It is recommended to cut it horizontally into as many fragments as required to fully submerge the sides of the bed.
To get even sheets, it is recommended to make markings with chalk first. In the absence of a grinder, you can use an unnecessary saw. In this case, it is recommended to moisten the cutting area with water.
Features of making high beds
To make high beds, it is permissible to use flat or wavy slate. It is important to take into account some rules.
From flat slate
To get the desired result, it is recommended to do the following:
- Cut the slate sheets so that each plate is slightly over half a meter in length.
- Connect all sheets with metal corners. This will make the structure stronger.
- Drill holes for fasteners in the corners and cover them with paint. This will help prevent corrosion of the metal.
Fences made of flat slate themselves are somewhat raised above the ground. This improves the warming of the soil and increases the yield parameters. If the fence is slightly deepened into the ground, it will protect the crops from the overgrown roots of other plants.
From corrugated slate
Making a fence out of corrugated slate sheets is quite simple. To do this, it is recommended to do the following:
- Cut large sheets into individual plates.
- Dig small trenches for them.
- Place the prepared plates in the trenches.
- Sprinkle them with soil and tamp well.
- Drive in a few pegs on each side to fix the whole structure.
To avoid breaking the main building material, it is forbidden to drive it too hard into the ground without first digging small trenches. Otherwise, small stones can severely damage the structure.
Specificity of slate beds in a greenhouse
Building beds in a greenhouse is required even before its construction. At the same time, root crops and low plants are recommended to be placed from north to south. For tall and trellis crops, the greenhouse is installed from east to west. Thanks to this, they will be evenly illuminated. This is especially important in the morning - it is at this time that the most active biological processes are observed.
Beds for greenhouses can be ground and shelving. Slate products belong to the first type. They are recommended to be built before the installation of the frame. Marking is worth after pouring the foundation. In small greenhouses, it is recommended to build 2 beds with 1 pass.
3-bed patterns are also popular, as narrow rows are easier to work with. In addition, plants have enough space for normal development. The disadvantage of this option is the small size of the passage, which complicates the use of tools.It is generally recommended to make one track wide and the other narrow. The choice of crops is important. They shouldn't grow too big.
Warm beds
A distinctive feature of warm beds is their height. It should be 40-70 centimeters. To create a structure, it is recommended to cut a slate sheet across the waves into 2 identical fragments. This allows you to prepare the right amount of material to form the fence.
Then it is worth digging a trench 25-30 centimeters deep. This is done around the entire perimeter of the garden. It is recommended to install slate sheets with vertical placement of waves in it. This results in a more rigid structure.
It is recommended to install boards in the corners of the building. Sheets are required to be attached to them with self-tapping screws with washers. To strengthen the fastenings from the outside, it is recommended to use the corners.Slate sheets must be overlapped and leveled with a level. From the inside, it is required to fasten bars measuring 5x5 centimeters. From above, it is worth attaching a board to them, which will help protect your hands from the sharp edges of the slate.
Then the ditch can be filled up and the structure filled with branches, leaves and grass. As a result, 20 centimeters should remain to the top. This part is recommended to be filled with fertile soil. To make it, it is worth mixing black soil and humus.
After this, it is recommended to moisten the bed well. This will help to activate the process of decay. It is accompanied by the release of a large amount of heat and minerals that are needed for the development of crops. Such refueling is enough, on average, for 5 years.Then the procedure must be repeated.
Rules of care
Ready-made beds are recommended to be well moistened. Under the influence of water, it will be possible to stimulate the decay of dressings and achieve the release of heat and nutrients that plants require.
Slate beds have many significant advantages. They help increase yield parameters and make plant care easier.
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