Many summer residents face problems when growing crops. One of them is the rapid loss of shape of bulk beds. This is caused by precipitation, excess sand in the soil, and clearing the area of weeds. Beds made of plastic window sills help to cope with the problem. Such a structure can be easily made with your own hands. At the same time, it has many advantages - it is durable, makes it easier to care for plants and looks very attractive.
Pros and cons of beds made of PVC window sills
The construction of plastic beds has many advantages. These include the following:
- Ease of installation and assembly of the structure - this is especially true when using ready-made fastenings.
- Durability - plastic is not susceptible to corrosion, mold and fungi.
- Possibility of constructing beds of different shapes.
- Easy to care for plants.
- Neat appearance.
- Affordable price.
At the same time, PVC window sills as a material for garden beds also have a number of disadvantages:
- Lack of resistance to sunlight - therefore the products should be treated with protective substances.
- Risk of deformation and swelling of the material - this occurs with prolonged contact with water.
Required tools and materials
To build the beds you will need plastic window sills and tools for fixing them. In this case, you can buy new material, although used items are also a good option.
To cut PVC window sills, you will need a jigsaw or hacksaw. For fixation, it is permissible to use bolts, nuts, and nails. Depending on the configuration of the beds, pegs may be required to form the corner.
In addition, to work with segments, jumpers connecting them may be required. To build a large bed, you will not need pegs. In such a situation, it is permissible to use metal corners.
DIY process
To make a high-quality design, you need to choose the right dimensions. It is important to take into account the characteristics of the crops being grown. To build the structure you should do the following:
- Cut window sills to optimal sizes. To do this, use a ruler and a simple pencil to mark and cut.
- Cut all edges at a 45 degree angle. This will help you get a neat box.
- Attach the corners with drilled holes to the window sill and mark the drilling location on it.
- Make holes on the corner at the top and bottom. To do this, it is permissible to use a drill. Bolt the window sills and corners together. The use of screws is also permitted.
Window sills can have a width of 10-80 centimeters. But if necessary, barriers made of this material can be built up, making them quite high. To do this, the window sills need to be connected with self-tapping screws. It is also permissible to use nails or bolts for this purpose.
Possible problems
When constructing beds from plastic window sills, the following problems may arise:
- the risk of plants getting burned - to avoid this, do not plant seeds close to the box;
- cracking of the window sill - if a harsh winter is expected, the structure needs to be moved to a warm place;
- there is a risk of yellowing of the material - in this case it is recommended to paint it.
Beds made from plastic window sills are considered a convenient and functional solution that makes caring for plants easier. At the same time, they can be made with your own hands.
