Re-using old wood for new stuff

Taking some old deck boards and working them up.  First, take off the old brackets:

Then, use a hatchet to split off the rotten bits of the 4x6s:

And build a new raised bed box for a garden: 

I'm going to try this idea of putting old (rotten) wood at the bottom, under the dirt, to act as a sponge for the winter water.  Luckily, I have plenty of rotten wood around.