Thread: Please help identify the size of the planks in this project

Using image search....

Amazon.com: Pyramid Raised Garden: Patio, Lawn & Garden and these are the dudes who make it... Plant Pyramid - 7 Levels - Infinite Cedar

Lets send them an email!

Been there done that.

they just sent me a link to where to purchase.

Anyone make a guesstimate on the board sizes?

I'm looking at Redgum sleepers at 200x50.
Some where around $175 - $200

unless someone knows of a cheaper hardwood.

i reckon they are 6 x 1 1/2" boards. 150x38mm. a pretty quick guesstimate of lineal meters needed would be about 30-35lm.

if it was me, i would use some 140x35 ACQ MGP10 structural pine for the job.

Wow!
Thank you!
Thats such a relief!
Much appreciated.

I'm guessing it's 8x1 lumber. That stand looks more than 4ft tall given I think the girl is probably 5' something. Seven levels of 6" probably wouldn't reach 4' ?.

Sorry, should have mentioned thats a three sided pyramid.
I believe its called a Regular Tetrahedron.

The base is 1.5m wide at the furthest tip.

All the edges are 1.5m.
All the angles are 60°.

The outside apex (cut short in the photo) is 1.22m high. (4' - wow excellent guess)

Because its a double miter angle cut the view confuses my brain when trying to guess the width of the planks.

The 8" (200mm) is what I was thinking as well.

The 1" thickness was bugging me as well.

Thanks again for the assist.

Basic dimensions are on the Amazon site 51" tall (1.3m) and base 58" (1.47m) and timber is 1" thick.

Originally Posted by Lappa

Basic dimensions are on the Amazon site 51" tall (1.3m) and base 58" (1.47m) and timber is 1" thick.

Assuming the planks are angled at 45degree that probably makes them 10" boards. The vertical height of each layer would be ~7"

In local timber sizes try 200 * 25mm. Maybe 150 * 25mm which will be more economical though obviously that would require more layers.

Also, I don't think its western red cedar, no matter what they say. Maybe yellow cedar, or some type of pine.

Vic ash is way too expensive for this sort of thing - and not particularly weatherproof anyway. Someone else suggested treated pine - perfect solution as long as you are not growing vegetables or anything edible.

Anyway, I cant help myself - I got to say it. I have quite a bit of experience in hydroponics and vertical gardens and frankly I would be careful of this design in our climate. Raised garden beds are a good idea where moisture can flow freely between the garden bed and the underlying earth. For this you need a broad open base for extensive contact with the soil below. This design has neither of these. Its very tall so the essential question is how does enough moisture get to the top level to overcome the heat stress that plagues our plants in the growing season. You could pour moisture from the top (my flood and drain hydroponics system runs 4 times per hour but still looses the battle on a hot day) but the problem is potting mix tends to form dendritic cavities which just pass the water through quickly without any beneficial effect. Garden soil is even worse.

I'm talking Sydney here and I have never understood conditions in Victoria but my guess is they are not that much more benign.

I also note that there are quite a lot of photos of these on the web (like the ones you linked to) and in every case I've seen its fairly clear that the plantlife which is presented as growing in the pyramid are really pot plants pushed in for the photo - you can tell that because they still keep their dense form and are not spread out as you would expect if they had grown in the space from seedings.

Unfortunately the gardening marketplace is full of esoteric growing solutions which seem like a good idea at the time but scarcely survive a season until consigned to the council hard waste collection. Its easy for vendors to be irresponsible when 90% of plants they sell are going to die anyway, one way or another.

Sorry to rain on your parade. Take it as a note of caution.

cheers
Arron

Good find on the Amazon 7 tier using the imagemsearch.
I could only find the 3 and 5 tier on the Amazon search.
And don't recall reading the 1" thickness.
Thanks again.

I rounded off the outside edges of the tetrahedron to 1.5m to make it easier on me brain.
Which was really nice making the depth 1.3m. (flat front facing me measure from front centre to back apex)
And the Tetrahedron height 1.22m. (measured from middle of any triangle to the opposite apex of the Tetrahedron)
And all the angles being 60° is really cool.
So all the listed width, depth and height were really confusing.

Thanks for the verbose response Arron.
Much appreciated and well received.

Originally Posted by Arron

In local timber sizes try 200 * 25mm. Maybe 150 * 25mm which will be more economical though obviously that would require more layers.Arron

Agreed. Unless I get lucky with someone trying to get rid of the larger sizes. Completely lucked out 10 years ago with some Jarrah from my daughters school with ridiculously oversized fence planks.

Originally Posted by Arron

Also, I don't think its western red cedar, no matter what they say. Maybe yellow cedar, or some type of pine.

Thats exactly what I was thinking. How would anyone not in the timber trade know for sure.

Originally Posted by Arron

Vic ash is way too expensive for this sort of thing - and not particularly weatherproof anyway.

I've built a gigantic octagonal Merbau deck. Was going to chase it down since its lasted really really well for years.
But certain, as you mentioned, it would be ridiculously expensive.

Originally Posted by Arron

Someone else suggested treated pine - perfect solution as long as you are not growing vegetables or anything edible.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by Arron

Anyway, I cant help myself - I got to say it. I have quite a bit of experience in hydroponics and vertical gardens and frankly I would be careful of this design in our climate.

Although I just wanted to busy myself with the research of making the structure because I really like the way it looks and would be time consumingly complex.
And not really for any specific plants or vertical growth properties.
I had wondered why they don't sell here in Aus. Maybe this is the reason.

And have considered placing a bottom on each level or a bottom on every other level, etc.

Or perhaps a drip feed in a spiral configuration. With many loops on each level.

Originally Posted by Arron

Raised garden beds are a good idea where moisture can flow freely between the garden bed and the underlying earth. For this you need a broad open base for extensive contact with the soil below. This design has neither of these. Its very tall so the essential question is how does enough moisture get to the top level to overcome the heat stress that plagues our plants in the growing season. You could pour moisture from the top (my flood and drain hydroponics system runs 4 times per hour but still looses the battle on a hot day) but the problem is potting mix tends to form dendritic cavities which just pass the water through quickly without any beneficial effect. Garden soil is even worse.

I did read where someone had placed pots upside down in the middle to take up room so not so much soil is needed.
Another mentioned he had a 1" pvc pipe with strategically placed holes to improve water flow.

My personal experience has been by attrition. Anything that dies gets thrown out. And the spot gets another plant that the good lady wife thinks might grow better after some toiling.

For me, any analysis of the soil or placement and resulting plant solution has been a waste of time.
Enough to where I limit my involvement to build and/or place the planters/dig the holes and never ever touch the plant with bare hands holding my breath not to breath on them.
Allow my lady to finish packing the earth and giving them their first good watering.
Then following her instruction on how much and when to water.

If I get too involved the plant usually ends up having a short life.

Originally Posted by Arron

I'm talking Sydney here and I have never understood conditions in Victoria but my guess is they are not that much more benign.

Pretty much clay. Any reasonable growth is from someone organising topsoil for better growth.
I could swear I dig 3" and its clay. LOL

Originally Posted by Arron

I also note that there are quite a lot of photos of these on the web (like the ones you linked to) and in every case I've seen its fairly clear that the plantlife which is presented as growing in the pyramid are really pot plants pushed in for the photo - you can tell that because they still keep their dense form and are not spread out as you would expect if they had grown in the space from seedings.

LOL. Yes, I noticed that as well. Wondering where the scantily clad sexy blond bombshell sales lady was.

Originally Posted by Arron

Unfortunately the gardening marketplace is full of esoteric growing solutions which seem like a good idea at the time but scarcely survive a season until consigned to the council hard waste collection. Its easy for vendors to be irresponsible when 90% of plants they sell are going to die anyway, one way or another.

Agree. At least the planter will look super cool. Maybe even a work of art.
And if we have a big event was can always replant some decent looking pots from recent purchases at the plant shop as mentioned. LOL

Originally Posted by Arron

Sorry to rain on your parade. Take it as a note of caution.

Very funny.
Noted with eyes wide open.

Originally Posted by Arron

cheers
Arron

Thanks again Arron.

Also, I was thinking to stay with the perfect Tetrahedron 60° angles on the joins.

Just curious if anyone had any thoughts on the 60° angle.

Fascia Timber 190x30 $8MT 4 8 6M Lengths in VIC | eBay

What about these?

Seem to be perfect for this project.

Anyone?

Not sure on the timber as I don't have the experience necessary to advise. If these guys are not that far away from you might be worth a visit. They do state that inspection is required....