Yes, you will need to put a barrier at the bottom. We would recommend using at least landscape fabric, although you might be concerned about the walnut's roots penetrating into the bed. If you use heavy-gauge plastic or something more impermeable, you will have to be careful about the internal drainage of the bed since you are, in effect, creating a large planter box. Also, be sure to clean the debris from the walnut out of the bed regularly. Here are some Web sites that discuss raised beds near black walnuts: BLACK WALNUT TOXICITY Here is a good Web site on raised beds: G6985, Raised-Bed Gardening
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Would building a raised bed with a barrier in the bottom prevent our black walnut tree from affecting our vegetable garden?
Last Updated: October 03, 2011
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