All about metal beds

Many gardeners, when forming beds on their plots, use various designs that can be bought ready-made or made on their own from scrap materials. A popular option today is metal beds. This option is considered the most practical and convenient. Today we will talk about the features of such garden structures.

Metal beds boast a whole list of important benefits.

• High level of durability. Such products are made from a reliable metal base, which is covered with a special protective zinc layer, polymer coating. Such substances help to counteract the formation of corrosion. Metal structures will be able to serve for 15 years.
• Reliability. Such structures are practically not exposed to negative environmental influences. They are not afraid of too humid microclimate.
• Low weight. Galvanized models have a low weight, which makes it easy to transport and install them on the ground.
• Possibility of size regulation. Many models of metal beds are produced with special fasteners, which make it possible to independently assemble and fix the product of the required dimensions.
• They can act as a greenhouse curb. Arcs are attached to such a metal base, which are covered with a special translucent film, thus building a greenhouse. It can be disassembled if necessary.
• Environmental Safety. Despite the galvanized coating, these garden structures do not emit any harmful substances, they are absolutely safe for growing various vegetables.
• Convenience of fertilization. Metal beds prevent top dressing from being washed out by water. Thus, the planted plants will be able to fully receive all the nutrients.
• Comfort of maintenance of the beds. Plants can be weeded while sitting on a chair.
• Nice appearance. Metal beds are often used not only for growing vegetables, strawberries, but also to complement the landscape design on the site. Beautiful placers of flowers are often planted in them; small paths of decorative stone can be laid out around them. These structures can be additionally coated with colored polymer coatings, which will also give them an unusual and beautiful appearance.
• Prevents overgrowth. Sometimes these beds are used to grow raspberries. In this case, the structure will also act as a solid fence, which does not allow the bushes to grow too much.
• Easy assembly and disassembly. Metal beds are assembled using simple fasteners and rivets that can be removed without much effort. Any gardener can install them in his country house.
• The possibility of organizing a special irrigation system. Such beds make it possible to form drip irrigation; you can also stretch arcs under agrofibre.

Any types of such structures allow you to place all plantings as accurately as possible, while saving free space on the land, create beds in the form of polygons to decorate the landscape.

Despite all the advantages, metal beds also have some disadvantages.

• High cost. As a rule, such models have a high price, so they will not be affordable for every person.
• Significant heat absorption. Iron beds quickly heat up in sunny weather, this contributes to overheating of the soil and burning the roots of plants.

Currently, there are many different types of metal fences for growing plants. They all differ from each other in the type of coating and design.

When creating such products, the material can be processed with conventional galvanized coating. It does not allow corrosion to form, it can be suitable for flat metal surfaces. Galvanized structures are light silver in color. This coating also contributes to the strength and durability of the material. In this case, the processed metal will not require periodic painting.

The surface of the coated product will keep its appearance unchanged. In those places where zinc will be exposed to the most unfavorable environmental influences, under the influence of oxygen and water molecules, a protective layer will form, which also ensures the safety of the metal base itself. Available in galvanized and polyurethane versions.

Polyurethane coating on metal will also improve the durability and quality of metal beds. It can give products in different colors. Brown samples are most commonly produced. But at the same time, the cost of such processing will be much higher compared to the previous option.

Another common option is models with polymer edging.... In this case, the profile is treated with a special powder composition, to which hardeners and pigments are additionally added.

Polymer coatings are characterized by a high level of resistance to any impact. In addition, it is quite elastic. Polymerization of the structure takes place in a separate chamber. Metal elements are often phosphated.

It allows you to create a protective film on the surface of the material. It is carried out with the help of phosphate salts, including manganese with iron, sometimes zinc and iron are used. The resulting coating prevents the formation of a rusty layer on the substrate.

These garden products can be made in various designs. Prefabricated models are considered the most common option. They are easily folded according to the constructor principle. Prefabricated samples have one main building block. As a rule, it has a length of 1 meter. The design is assembled by the buyer himself. One set also contains all the necessary fasteners, legs.

High galvanized beds are produced with higher sides, which contribute to better soil heating. Often, arcs are attached to them to organize a greenhouse. Such models are assembled from several separate segments. The legs are firmly in the ground.

Before buying or making your own metal beds, you should accurately measure the area of ​​land on which they will be installed. Most often, gardeners purchase models with a height of 15-18 or 36, 50 centimeters.

Such garden products may differ from each other and in the length of the main part. Specimens 1.9 meters long are common.Moreover, their width is 0.95 or 0.7 meters. The legs are 20-25 centimeters high.

Among the most popular Russian and Belarusian manufacturers of metal beds for the garden, the following brands can be distinguished:

• "Horizon";
• "Vegetable garden all year round";
• "Will";
• "MehBud";
• GreenBox;
• BelTeplitsa;

The listed manufacturing companies produce high-quality and durable garden products. The cost of finished metal beds starts from 1000-1100 rubles. All models are created in such a way that a person can easily care for plants.

Before purchasing the most suitable model of such a metal structure, you should pay attention to some important features of the choice. First you need to decide on the height of the product. Tall specimens are used for growing root crops. In addition, their design makes it easier to care for the plants. A practical and convenient option will be prefabricated adjustable models, the dimensions of which can be changed if necessary.

Pay attention to the type of metal coating. Most often they are galvanized or polymer coated. It is on them that the durability and quality of metal beds largely depends. Consider the weight of the items as well.

Remember that metal beds can be more than just a standard rectangular shape. Today, special varieties are produced to create beautiful alpine slides. Samples with multiple stages can be used to grow strawberries. In the selection process, it is also recommended to pay attention to the thickness of the metal sheet, the thickness of the protective coating, the level of quality of the parts for installation, and the presence of special stiffeners with a central type of arrangement. If you want the beds to also perform a decorative role, then it is better to give preference to samples with beautiful polymer colors.

When you finally choose the right product, carefully examine the surface. There should be no deformations, irregularities or other defects on the structure. The protective coating should also be smooth, without chips or abrasions. Do not forget that the color of the building must be selected depending on what kind of plants you will grow. If the bed is dark and you have planted vegetables there that do not require high temperatures, then you will need to water it much more often. Products painted in these colors heat up much faster in the sun.

If you do not want to purchase ready-made metal beds, you can make them yourself from scrap materials. You can find an assembly diagram with dimensions in advance. To correctly form a structure, first make a frame of the structure. To do this, you can take unnecessary wooden corners.

For the organization of the racks, it is better to take a bar. The side parts are made of durable boards. When manufacturing, preference should be given to hard and resinous rocks. Profile metal sheets are attached to the boards. Moreover, this must be done from all sides at once. Everything is tightly and firmly tightened with bolts. All sharp edges of the metal part should be hidden with platbands.

To prevent the soil from overheating due to heating of the metal, it is better to make a galvanized bed with perforation. It will allow you to provide a ventilation system. In this case, the assembly algorithm will be the same, but small holes are additionally formed in the profile sheet, their diameter should be about 10 millimeters.To increase the service life and in order for the structure to be of better quality and strength, it is worth covering the wooden part with special protective coatings against fungus, and the metal part with special compounds against the formation of corrosion.

If you purchased a prefabricated model in a store, then you will also have to assemble the structure yourself. In one set, there will be all the necessary elements, including parts for fasteners, and detailed instructions for creating. When installing some models, you can independently adjust the height of the sides. Many ready-made samples from the store are equipped with convenient riveted sides, which make the installation process as simple and quick as possible. In this case, they are simply connected together. If you are installing metal beds under a greenhouse, then you definitely need to install arcs for this.

For the benefits of galvanized beds, see the following video.