THE NATURALIST
8' x 4' x 15" / Hemlock Wood
Built from native timber.
The Naturalist pairs our signature industrial steel frame with locally sourced Eastern Hemlock. This model is designed for the grower who wants the strength of our 12-gauge system but prefers the use of completely untreated, raw lumber. It delivers the same 32 square feet of growing space, built with the wood that has defined Ontario agriculture for generations.
The Specs:
Rough-Sawn Hemlock: We use full 2-inch thick Eastern Hemlock. Known as the "barn builder’s choice," it is a coarse-grained, resilient timber that is naturally tough without needing chemical preservation.
100% Untreated: This wood contains no additives or preservatives. It creates a completely natural barrier for your soil, making it the preferred choice for strict organic gardening.
A Living Material: Over time, the raw Hemlock will weather to a distinguished silver-grey. It offers a classic, rustic aesthetic that blends seamlessly into the landscape.
Industrial Corners: Anchored by 12-gauge steel brackets, ensuring the frame remains square and rigid against the pressure of the soil.
How long will a hemlock bed last?
The Trade-Off: Longevity vs. Materials
We believe in being upfront about how materials perform so you can make the right investment for your home.
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For Maximum Lifespan: Choose The Cultivator (Pressure Treated). This is the pragmatic choice for long-term value. Because the wood is preserved, it offers the lowest "cost per year" and will hold its ground for decades without maintenance. It is the best option if you want to build this infrastructure once and never think about it again.
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For Untreated Materials: Choose The Naturalist (Hemlock). This is the choice for growers who prefer a completely chemical-free material above all else. The trade-off is biological: because Hemlock creates no barrier against rot, it will eventually succumb to the soil years before the pressure-treated version. You are accepting a shorter service life in exchange for an untreated material.
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What about the soil to fill it?
How to fill your bed without breaking the bank.
A common mistake is trying to fill a large raised bed entirely with bagged potting soil. That gets expensive fast. Since this is a high-volume system, we recommend a smarter approach:
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Go with Bulk: For a bed this size, ordering a "bulk bag" or a truckload of triple-mix from a local landscape supply is significantly cheaper than buying individual bags.
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Feed from the Bottom: You don't need premium soil all the way to the bottom. We recommend filling the bottom few inches with organic "biomass"—old logs, branches, dried leaves, shredded cardboard, or even upside-down sod. This organic material takes up volume (saving you money on soil), improves drainage, and eventually breaks down to feed your plants from below.
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