Great tip on the gavel by the scoop. We use a trailer for that all the time, and for garden mix, builders mix for concrete, pea-metal, road fill/base course. So handy!! and the trailer has already paid for itself. Not to mention dumping waste at the waste station.
Thanks! She loves working with me :) Yeah, railroad ties would not be safe for food gardens. it has a good distance from my crops so hopefully I shouldn't have any issues.
Great video Once again. Thanks for the tips on pinning down the ties, needed that. Only change I'd recommend is not to use any plastic barriers for your yard or land, instead you can use a biodegradable & water permeable cloth or like cotton or burlap or just cardboard (seriously)... and if you must use plastic, definitely get those semi-permeable weed barriers for hardscapes like this. Plastic leaves small areas of sitting water on top... and has a really bad decomp potential overtime, leaching etc, it often ruins the soil health of the layers directly below it. Very large roots tend to be the only ones that survive under these areas. Plastic also encourages ants, termites, pill bugs to nest underneath, plus beatles & crickets which aren't too bad unless they attract rodents. I know first hand bc it was an expensive issue with our current house's front garden. I know a garden is very different case but same principle with negative outcomes.. long story cut short, the previous owners had just kept putting new plastic & new layer of bagged soil for 40 years until nothing would grow... a back hoe & dump truck were needed to solve it.
Wow. Looks great! I was wondering, why do you cover the grass seed with hay? Is it to stop the birds from eating the seeds? Do the seeds not need light? Also do you take it off when the grass starts to grow? Thanks for your advice.
Thanks! 😄 I haven’t actually had any issues with water. I believe it’s because there is a slight incline in my yard so the drains down hill really well. If flooding could be an issue I would recommend using landscape fabric. It still drains but keeps out weeds.
I am wondering, do you have any problems with deer or woodchucks/gophers? Does the wood in the base help, if so? What are your thoughts on modifying the beds to include a heavy screen in the base? I have deer and woodchuck problems. I would add an upper screen system. Thank you for your help here, it looks great! Is there any way to tell us the costs that you had?
Thanks! I haven't had any issues with deer or gophers yet. I do have them around the area so it may be a matter of time till they find it. I try to control the population of gophers on our property as they can be really destructive. You should be able to easily lay down the metal screen before you build the garden and that should work well for the gophers. Im sure you could modify the design to have a 4in x 4in x 6ft post at each corner that could function as a fence to keep the deer out. This design cost me about $600 but the price of materials have gone up since i built this.
I’ve heard that if you put a layer of gravel under the rail road tie it will last longer and shed water. That way the water will be trapped and your tie won’t last as long
Where did you go to get used railroad ties? I absolutely drool over the stacks of them I see on the sides of the tracks, but have no idea where to go to get them.
I got these at an ACE Hardware and Landscaping Supply. They are also available at Lowes and Home Depot in my area. I would check with your local landscaping supply store. Thanks!
We wanted to use railroad ties for my garden but was told that the oils in the the ties have poison not good for your body. Are there different ones we can use instead?
@@BuleMichael7 Not only are the ties BELOW the veggie beds, they are FAR AWAY FROM them, laterally. Look at the view at 0:10, and tell me you are truly concerned that the veggie roots will suck up rAiLrOaD TiE pOiSoN!!! (Or do you also wear a bike helmet to bed at night, in case you fall out?!) 🤣😆😅😂
@@PanhandleFrank I would be. Plants root systems are proportional to their size. I’ve grown 6’ tall and wide tomatoes before. 🤔 Have you smelled hot creosote when ties are laying in the sun? Our cats, dogs and kids step on the. And track it all over and into the house, not to mention when the animals clean their feet with their tongues. You do you brah
Did your ties not have oil in them? I tried to cut one with a circular saw, and it smoked like crazy and smelled bjgtime. Somebody told me it was the oil in the tie.
They did. However, these were covered in creosote. This is a chemical to prevent decaying if the wood. It’s not particularly safe to can and left on your skin for too long it can cause a chemical burn. Using protection is a good idea and keeping your skin covered. I prefer using a chainsaw as the wood chips are much larger and lest dust in the air. Thanks!
now I know I am an old fart! lol I was so nervous watching that little girl walk past that spike in the ground!! I'm like please dont fall on that!! my kids are older in late 20's
Railroad ties have been used the past few decades as a cheap solution for retaining walls in residential homes and commercial properties. What homeowners don't realize, is that these cross ties are not only harmful to the environment, but they pose a huge health threat! Ensure they've been responsibly sourced and properly treated for residential use, particularly if you're planning to use them in a vegetable garden or close to water sources. The risk of using railroad ties, treated with creosote, a known carcinogen, primarily comes from direct contact, inhalation, or ingestion. Here are the precautions that should be used when handling railroad ties: Handling: When handling creosote treated wood, wear gloves and long sleeves and try to minimize time spent working with ties. Work in well ventilated areas and avoid working in hot conditions when vapors are most potent. Children: If children play on or around the ties they may get creosote on their skin and clothing and could subsequently ingest small amounts. Exposure to skin can cause irritation and rashes. Ingestion in small amounts while not life threatening, is a health concern. Gardens: Plants have shown only limited potential to take up creosote but some compounds have been shown to attach to roots, which could lead to elevated creosote levels on tuber vegetables. For this reason, it is advisable not to landscape with railroad ties directly in contact with vegetable gardens. Water Table: Some components of creosote are very sticky and not water soluble and will stay on the ties; however, other chemicals are water soluble and will dissolve and move with water. In areas where moisture levels are moderate, these chemicals may wash into surrounding soil with rain, but will likely decompose with time. However, in areas where the water table is very shallow or where a lot of surface water is present, there is more potential for transport of the chemicals into groundwater. For this reason, it is advisable to avoid using railroad ties for landscaping in very wet or shallow ground water areas. Disposal and Fire: Creosote treated wood should not be burned, since burning volatilizes hazardous chemicals in the smoke. One currently suggested disposal method for treated wood is in sanitary landfills. However, check with your landfill first to inquire about local policies. Another currently suggested method for disposal is burial. However, if this option is chosen it is critical to consider surface and ground water movement in your location to minimize the possibility of creosote getting into water supplies.
Do NOT use galvanized metal roof pieces for raised beds. They will rust within the first couple years! They are not designed for this kind of use. If you're going to use metal in a raised bed garden use stainless steel or aluminum.
I’m a bit worried about that stake at the back of the grass area, sticking up. Just in case girl trips and falls onto the stake. Worries the life out of me.
You poisoned your soil withth those poisoned Railroad ties coated with creosote a poisonous tar you need to make a video.Why you shouldn’t build anything with Railroad ties
Great tip on the gavel by the scoop. We use a trailer for that all the time, and for garden mix, builders mix for concrete, pea-metal, road fill/base course. So handy!! and the trailer has already paid for itself. Not to mention dumping waste at the waste station.
So true! 👍🏻
This is a must have for my front yard. Thanks for the video!😁
Glad it was helpful! Thanks!! 😊
Nice job. Your little girl is an adorable helper. I would not use them near food but since you have raised planters they are very useful!
Thanks! She loves working with me :) Yeah, railroad ties would not be safe for food gardens. it has a good distance from my crops so hopefully I shouldn't have any issues.
YES YES YES Iwill have this at my back yard because this is my new home and it is fantastic
This garden bed has been great! Good luck on yours! :)
Nice clean precise video👍🏿💯 stay blessed you and yours🙏🏿
Thanks for the video💯
Thank you! You too! 😁
looks awesome! Can't wait to do one just like it!
Looks great, nice work.
Thanks!
Nice video. Well explained and nice looking garden.
Thank you! 😄
AWESOME! Beautiful place to sit and watch your garden grow! 😄🥰
Great video Once again. Thanks for the tips on pinning down the ties, needed that. Only change I'd recommend is not to use any plastic barriers for your yard or land, instead you can use a biodegradable & water permeable cloth or like cotton or burlap or just cardboard (seriously)... and if you must use plastic, definitely get those semi-permeable weed barriers for hardscapes like this.
Plastic leaves small areas of sitting water on top... and has a really bad decomp potential overtime, leaching etc, it often ruins the soil health of the layers directly below it. Very large roots tend to be the only ones that survive under these areas. Plastic also encourages ants, termites, pill bugs to nest underneath, plus beatles & crickets which aren't too bad unless they attract rodents.
I know first hand bc it was an expensive issue with our current house's front garden. I know a garden is very different case but same principle with negative outcomes.. long story cut short, the previous owners had just kept putting new plastic & new layer of bagged soil for 40 years until nothing would grow... a back hoe & dump truck were needed to solve it.
Thanks so much for the tips! :)
made a pool lol
Hard work! Great job! Excellent videos! 🇯🇲
Thanks so much! :)
Great demo - your garden turned out nicely!
Thank you!! I’m glad you liked it.
Gran trabajo....qué bonita tu niña jugando y ayudando, me recuerda a la mía de pequeña.
Wow. Looks great! I was wondering, why do you cover the grass seed with hay? Is it to stop the birds from eating the seeds? Do the seeds not need light? Also do you take it off when the grass starts to grow? Thanks for your advice.
Well explained
Great video. Question, does the plastic under the gravel hold water when it rains? I don’t see how it’s able to drain
Thanks! 😄 I haven’t actually had any issues with water. I believe it’s because there is a slight incline in my yard so the drains down hill really well. If flooding could be an issue I would recommend using landscape fabric. It still drains but keeps out weeds.
Looking great. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much! :) I appreciate it
that looks great thank you for sharing
You are so welcome! Thanks :)
Very very nice!
Thanks so much! :)
Looks fantastic. :)
Nice job 👍
Thanks!! :)
I am wondering, do you have any problems with deer or woodchucks/gophers? Does the wood in the base help, if so? What are your thoughts on modifying the beds to include a heavy screen in the base? I have deer and woodchuck problems. I would add an upper screen system. Thank you for your help here, it looks great! Is there any way to tell us the costs that you had?
Thanks! I haven't had any issues with deer or gophers yet. I do have them around the area so it may be a matter of time till they find it. I try to control the population of gophers on our property as they can be really destructive. You should be able to easily lay down the metal screen before you build the garden and that should work well for the gophers. Im sure you could modify the design to have a 4in x 4in x 6ft post at each corner that could function as a fence to keep the deer out. This design cost me about $600 but the price of materials have gone up since i built this.
good show ....
Did these kill your grass at all around that area? Also how do you feel about these around a playset area?
You mentioned a link for your raised bed project?
Great video! Where did you get the garden beds?
I built them on my channel. They are fairly simple to build :)
TOTALLY AWESOME VIDEO
Thanks so much!! :)
How long are those short ties on each side? (The one you plopped down at 1:47 ... ) THX!
Did you use hay or straw? Just curious as straw is much cheaper but more coarse.
I used straw. Thanks! 😁
Loving it! 👍🏻
Thanks!
IDK if you'll see this but how long are the side ties. or what are the dimensions
Is there anything we can use to seal our ties to reduce the smell of the oil?
I’ve heard that if you put a layer of gravel under the rail road tie it will last longer and shed water. That way the water will be trapped and your tie won’t last as long
Thanks for the tip! I’ll have to try that 😊
Where did you go to get used railroad ties? I absolutely drool over the stacks of them I see on the sides of the tracks, but have no idea where to go to get them.
I got these at an ACE Hardware and Landscaping Supply. They are also available at Lowes and Home Depot in my area. I would check with your local landscaping supply store.
Thanks!
@@SimonSaysDIY Thanks!! I'll look into places like that!
Should you not treat the section you cut?
NOOICE!
Thanks!
How does the gravel area deal with drainage?
I haven’t actually seen any standing water in it. It’s on a slight hill and drains well.
@@SimonSaysDIY thank you for replying. Here in middle TN we have a couple times a year that just open up.
Great site for yellow jacket nests! They love exposed RR ties.
OMG! OOO EMM GEE!! YELLOW JAKITS!!!
We wanted to use railroad ties for my garden but was told that the oils in the the ties have poison not good for your body. Are there different ones we can use instead?
Yup. They are terrible for landscaping with pets ir growing food.
@@BuleMichael7 Water runs downhill.
And the ties are below the veggie beds.
YOU figure it out ...
@@PanhandleFrank yeah, I guess plants don’t have roots 🤔🤡
@@BuleMichael7 Not only are the ties BELOW the veggie beds, they are FAR AWAY FROM them, laterally. Look at the view at 0:10, and tell me you are truly concerned that the veggie roots will suck up rAiLrOaD TiE pOiSoN!!!
(Or do you also wear a bike helmet to bed at night, in case you fall out?!) 🤣😆😅😂
@@PanhandleFrank I would be. Plants root systems are proportional to their size. I’ve grown 6’ tall and wide tomatoes before. 🤔 Have you smelled hot creosote when ties are laying in the sun? Our cats, dogs and kids step on the. And track it all over and into the house, not to mention when the animals clean their feet with their tongues. You do you brah
Alot of basic skills and no base rock. So easy
Thanks so much! 😁
Did your ties not have oil in them? I tried to cut one with a circular saw, and it smoked like crazy and smelled bjgtime. Somebody told me it was the oil in the tie.
They did. However, these were covered in creosote. This is a chemical to prevent decaying if the wood. It’s not particularly safe to can and left on your skin for too long it can cause a chemical burn. Using protection is a good idea and keeping your skin covered. I prefer using a chainsaw as the wood chips are much larger and lest dust in the air. Thanks!
What about the ties leeching and the chemicals?
Since they're below the vegetables, it's not an issue.
Couldn’t you had taken the hay? Instead hay replacing firewood at bottom of garden?
Yeah, hey would work as filler as well and decompose over time. Thanks! :)
now I know I am an old fart! lol
I was so nervous watching that little girl walk past that spike in the ground!! I'm like please dont fall on that!!
my kids are older in late 20's
👍👍
I appreciate it! Thanks! :)
Railroad ties have been used the past few decades as a cheap solution for retaining walls in residential homes and commercial properties. What homeowners don't realize, is that these cross ties are not only harmful to the environment, but they pose a huge health threat! Ensure they've been responsibly sourced and properly treated for residential use, particularly if you're planning to use them in a vegetable garden or close to water sources. The risk of using railroad ties, treated with creosote, a known carcinogen, primarily comes from direct contact, inhalation, or ingestion.
Here are the precautions that should be used when handling railroad ties:
Handling: When handling creosote treated wood, wear gloves and long sleeves and try to minimize time spent working with ties. Work in well ventilated areas and avoid working in hot conditions when vapors are most potent.
Children: If children play on or around the ties they may get creosote on their skin and clothing and could subsequently ingest small amounts. Exposure to skin can cause irritation and rashes. Ingestion in small amounts while not life threatening, is a health concern.
Gardens: Plants have shown only limited potential to take up creosote but some compounds have been shown to attach to roots, which could lead to elevated creosote levels on tuber vegetables. For this reason, it is advisable not to landscape with railroad ties directly in contact with vegetable gardens.
Water Table: Some components of creosote are very sticky and not water soluble and will stay on the ties; however, other chemicals are water soluble and will dissolve and move with water. In areas where moisture levels are moderate, these chemicals may wash into surrounding soil with rain, but will likely decompose with time. However, in areas where the water table is very shallow or where a lot of surface water is present, there is more potential for transport of the chemicals into groundwater. For this reason, it is advisable to avoid using railroad ties for landscaping in very wet or shallow ground water areas.
Disposal and Fire: Creosote treated wood should not be burned, since burning volatilizes hazardous chemicals in the smoke. One currently suggested disposal method for treated wood is in sanitary landfills. However, check with your landfill first to inquire about local policies. Another currently suggested method for disposal is burial. However, if this option is chosen it is critical to consider surface and ground water movement in your location to minimize the possibility of creosote getting into water supplies.
RR ties are often soaked in dangerous chemicals are are NOT recommended for use edging food gardens.
1. Water runs downhill.
2. The ties are below, and far away from, the veggies.
3. NOBODY gets out alive. Lighten up and live a little.
Hammwr it 2 1/2 foot down? Apparently this isn't Pennsylvania. I would have hit rock in the first 3 inches!
The chainsaw blade is dull as can be
Yeah, I used one of my junk blades because these ties can have rocks and metal in them and will destroy a nice chain. 👍🏻
💪😎🇺🇲
Too much chemicals in the ties.not safe.use fabric instead of plastic under gravel.
Thanks for the tips!!
Do NOT use galvanized metal roof pieces for raised beds. They will rust within the first couple years! They are not designed for this kind of use. If you're going to use metal in a raised bed garden use stainless steel or aluminum.
Google "How long does galvanised steel last, directly against soil, in a raised garden bed?"
I’m a bit worried about that stake at the back of the grass area, sticking up. Just in case girl trips and falls onto the stake. Worries the life out of me.
OK Karen ...
You should't use Them next to food if they have been at the railroad. They Are full of oil, sod and other chemichals. Not healty.
Thanks for the tip! I appreciate it! :)
Correct not only that but all the fluids that leak from the trains and equipment
You do know how toxic old sleepers are?
Maybe if they're situated UPSTREAM of the veggies. (Water runs DOWNhill ... you're welcome!)
sharpen your saw dude. that was painful to watch
Yeah, the railroad ties destroy chains so quick so I was using one of my older already junk chains.
Remove the re-bar!!!! Not safe, especially around children.
How is that not safe? there is no metal showing or poking up.
Thanks! 😄
@@SimonSaysDIY Your stringline is attached to re-bar and a little girl is using the railroad tie as a balance beam.
@@markmzark5101 Wow! Just WOW!!
Get your kid away from the creosote!
Be careful, that stuffs toxic
Huge waste of materials. You must have a lot of cash for material. Just get gardening.
I don't really, But thanks for watching and for the feedback! :)
There is something to be said for aesthetics. He and his wife like it, and nunya bidness how much they spent on it.
You poisoned your soil withth those poisoned Railroad ties coated with creosote a poisonous tar you need to make a video.Why you shouldn’t build anything with Railroad ties
I doubt it. It's a raised bed.
Don’t lick the ties.
It's less worse than the multitudes of idiots using chemlawn type companies every year
Get rid of those oil soaked nasty rail ties
That just adds to their charm. 🙂