The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Techniques and skills => Topic started by: suziequeue on February 06, 2011, 04:06:48 pm

Title: What to do with a crate
Post by: suziequeue on February 06, 2011, 04:06:48 pm

We picked up a rather fine crate that was used for delivering a load of tiles to my neighbour's house. It is made of wood slats - like a pallet - but in crate form.

Measures about a meter square and stands about 75cm high.

I thought I had seen an article in a magazine a few months ago about making it into a waist-high cold frame - but can;t find that magazine anywhere now :-(

It seems to good to use for leaves

Any ideas?

Susanna

Title: Re: What to do with a crate
Post by: doganjo on February 06, 2011, 06:24:28 pm

I made a whelping box out of one years ago, then lent it to a friend and never saw it again - it was brilliant.  I also used another one to make a really deep raised bed and filled it with rubble first so it didn't need too much soil.  It was very successful too - have moved from there but the new owners think it's fab.  Mine came from my late husband's laboratory - instrument crates, very similar to the slate and tile ones

Title: Re: What to do with a crate
Post by: suziequeue on February 06, 2011, 06:39:47 pm

Mmmm - I like the idea of another raised bed. We have a pile of rubble that we could use. It would be good to do the salad stuff in there - put it on a nice south-facing wall and keep it seperate...... block up one of the rat holes into the wood shed too :-)

Last year we got confused with a "salad variety" seed packet and ended up not knowing which was weeds and which was salad. :-§

Title: Re: What to do with a crate
Post by: silver swan on February 06, 2011, 06:46:10 pm

My thoughts exactly Suzy - sounds like an ideal raised bed or hot bed for greenhouse (if suitably lined).  ;)

Title: Re: What to do with a crate
Post by: faith0504 on February 06, 2011, 07:49:42 pm

we turned a big wooden potato crate/box into a hen house, put a roof on it and a ramp come door, its brilliant, i use an old cast iron bath as a raised herb bed that works very well  :wave:

Title: Re: What to do with a crate
Post by: Blonde on March 12, 2011, 01:11:39 pm

Make it in to a planter box for your beautiful flowers

Title: Re: What to do with a crate
Post by: Mel on April 03, 2011, 08:42:40 am

We had some of these given to use and if stood on their sides and roofed so to speak make fantastic log shelters,we also used some for giant compost bins! :)

Title: Re: What to do with a crate
Post by: langdon on May 17, 2011, 09:44:20 pm

for those who may keep goats esp billys, they come handy when preparing a shed for him,
nail or screw up on the inside of the shed to reinforce the shed to take the pressure when the billy rubbs him
self along the inside.
depending on if you seprate the timber on the crate is up to you

Title: Re: What to do with a crate
Post by: loosey on May 18, 2011, 11:50:23 am

I use them as hay holders for the ponies and hseep in the winter ... limits waste and keeps them occupied for longer! :)