Making a quick and dirty raised bed.

[T-Bird]

So what I got was 3 large planks of wood, one cut in half at the home depot to make a rectangle - roughly 5'x10'. I got 8 large concrete things 8"x16" with the two holes in them - they are heavy.

I though if I arranged the boards, with the concrete at each end, it would be good enough stability-wise.

Everyone else seems to have a husband that builds the beds for them, but it's just me here.:p

Am I gonna have to mess with screwing/nailing? I was hoping not - Concrete blocks are 35 pounds each - I just went out and weighted them!

This is just for this year - I'm unsure about future landscaping plans at the moment so this is just a quickie that may be moved/abandoned next year....

[Ilse W.]

Sounds easy enough to me, only I would not have made them more than 4 feet wide. Two feet is about the limit I want to reach across the bed, but you'll figure it out with experience. I think the concrete blocks are a good idea. Fill the holes with dirt and plant some herbs in them, or pretty flowers. I've got some of those blocks and some extra boards, I think I follow your lead and make some more beds. I don't think you have to do any nailing. Set the blocks about 1 inch into the dirt so they can't move. The dirt inside the beds will hold the boards against the blocks. Let us know how it works out.

[T-Bird]

Good tip about burying the blocks, thanks Emma!

[iwuvmydoggy]

sounds like a good idea to me! :)

if you are planting tall plants, or something like melons or zucchini/squash that tend to sprawl out everywhere, you might want to put the box up by a fence & plant those in the back, so they can get some support. :)

whatcha planning on growing?

[DebB]

You're going to love your garden box T-Bird! Sounds great..

I'd like to know what you're going to plant as well :)

I love our garden boxes - can't wait to do more next year. *Ü*

[T-Bird]

Ok peeps - the quick and dirty raised bed is up and running!


If I had correctly estimated costs and labor - I wouldn't have done this, lol!!!

It would have been better to pay someone to till in the area and mix some soil conditioners in.....

Yet each step I took, I though I was half way home.....NOT!

18 40 lb bags of top soil and 2 bags of peat moss, and it STILL isn't fill yet, lol!

Likely - I just need 3-4 more bags, but still - my back is protesting already!

But I planted as I filled in to an extent - just to give me a feeling of accomplishment, of progress!

I have in 3 tomato plants, 1 watermelon, 6 green beans, 3 broccoli 2 beet and 1 carrot - all very tiny and "endangered".

Also added in as seeds a quantity of arugula, beets, and carrots, plus 2 red pimento pepper and 2 habanero pepper seeds, some parsley and cilantro seeds. Watered and fertilized, and crossed my fingers.

Then I sprinkled some cheyenne pepper all along the border, once all plants are in and sprouted, I'm going to mulch the whole thing and cheyenne pepper the mulch...

We'll see what "pops up":)

[Revvell]

Here's mine ~ need to update pics as the second section is now flowing with cuke, squash and melon plants: Revvell's Garden (http://revvellations.com/weekly/category/gardening/.)

I agree about not going wider but, if you've got room on both sides.. that would be o.k. Reaching across 5 feet would be a bit too much.

We get free mulch from the county so, not as costly as some would be.

[T-Bird]

Hey Revvel!

I heeded the advice on the width being overlarge, but without someone handy with a circular saw, I was kind of stuck.

What I did was, down the middle I put some concrete blocks - I didn't have enough for a full path, but can walk the aisle with large strides. Then I can crouch on the block to do planting, weeding, harvest. Not too comfy - but when I got weary yesterday finishing it off, I was able to sit on one and put my feet on the next one over.

So thanks to EmmaT for the heads up!

Not perfect, but doable!

[kaybee]

tbird make sure u plant some chickweed somewhere. because supposedly it grows through snow. and it will grow like a weed, lol. maybe not in your garden though because its hard to get rid of. if yo0u want a few seeds email me your address and illl send you a few. i got a pack from mtn rose herbs but didnt need it because have just been transplainting all the ones that appeared in the tunnel.