Raised beds and gardens

[KretZ]

I glanced through this thread and I don't think anyone suggested this, although for some reason I can't see any of TnAndy's pictures even though everyone else can. I think my browser settings are to blame. In any case, I built a raised bed about three years ago. It started because I originally needed a place to waste dirt and rocks from where I dug out my patio. So I built a container 2m l, 1m w, .5m h. I only enclosed it on 3 sides so I could get a wheel barrow in there to dump. Eventually I had to make it higher because of the amount of earth building up in there. I drove some posts into the ground even though I guess its not necessary. After it was done we covered the slightly crappy dirt with some good soil, and every year we have been adding to it, great results. But one unintended thing happened, that has turned out pretty neat. Somehow from us planting herbs, first cilantro and now parsley have volunteered coming out of the crack between the boards on the side. So here is my idea for what I am going to put together next. Hopefully you can tell from my sketch, but I think these cups on the side will serve the purpose of adding additional growing space for herbs. Although after reading this thread I think I am going to use corrugated iron, or maybe blocks if I can scavenge and reuse some old ones.

 

[alchemysa]

Although after reading this thread I think I am going to use corrugated iron,

I used the 'wire method' to cut these sheets in half lengthways. Its quick and quiet but requires care and some strength. I used multi strand stainless steel wire leftover from a decking balustrade job. Galv wire would probably be fine too. (No way would I use single strand fence wire). I just wrapped and clamped one end of the wire to a couple of short pieces of 4x2, then laid the corru on top and ripped it from end to end. (It only works lengthways. You have to use tin snips to go across the corru.) If you try it, make sure you use gloves and good eye protection.. just in case.

After 'ripping' it I bent the rough cut over (a shifting spanner, about 7", is ideal for this) and tapped it down with a hammer.

 

[streamin]

Last year was our first try doing that. I used Miracle Grow potting soil to fill them, which I think was a mistake.....they grew like crazy....real lush foliage, but almost no berries. Pretty sure that was too rich a mix. Over wintered them in the hoop house, and now they are loaded with berries.

So what do you suggest to use for a starting soil? I have one of those bigger square plastic containers I dont know what to do with, until now. I am just learning on this growing stuff. thanks

 

[Sawyer Rob]

One of my gardens is a "raised" bed, and here's how I raised it,

I actually started with a low spot where this garden is,

Every year I raise it a bit more...

Then I climb up on top and till it,

This spot grows some great veggies!

SR

 

[ddbackhoe]

One of my gardens is a "raised" bed, and here's how I raised it,

I actually started with a low spot where this garden is,

Every year I raise it a bit more...

Then I climb up on top and till it, SR

Does your smaller tractor have the 1000 rpm output? Try that with your tiller. It'll almost turn the dirt to powder :2cents:

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Does your smaller tractor have the 1000 rpm output? Try that with your tiller. It'll almost turn the dirt to powder :2cents:

That would be one thing I DON'T want... Over tilling ruins the structure or your soil and you do NOT want that...

I do custom tilling and I've had customers that want to get their gardens tilled to death, they think they are getting more for their moneys worth... lol Really, they are just destroying their soil structure...

Here's how it should look,

It's a GREAT garden spot, that grows some great veggies, like these giant Yukon Gold potatoes,

It doesn't take too many to fill a pail, when they are this big!

Anyway, raised gardens work out well, I'm glad I made this one up.

SR

 

[NorTracNY]

SR, Those are some big potatoes!

You're right about not overtilling. Tilling is good for loosening up the top of the soil, but many gardeners avoid it at all because it's been found to actually create a more compacted layer below the till depth. After a few years of no tilling though, I found the soil really was getting compressed. I bought a broad fork and was amazed at how great it worked. It actually was very easy to use.

 

[randy41]

these beds are 30" wide. i can reach all the way across a bed to weed or harvest.

it looks like one of the american pit bull plants ran out of the bed.

 

[DKCDKC]

Good point about over-tilling. I don't have a tiller any more - never had one for the tractor. My raised beds are almost no till anyway. But my potato and squash patch is busted up with the tractor and my box blade - tiled forward all tines down. I run that around a few times then level it with my FEL and Ratchet Rake. It's been perfect for the past few years. I just couldn't justify the cost of a tiller since one of the points of the garden was to save money.

 

[streamin]

this thread inspired me to start a raised garden right in front of our house. I like the idea of the wood buried to help with moisture as we are gone for weeks in the summer. I was only able to dig down about a foot or more in some places but I want to build a small wall of cinder blocks only 2 high at 16" total. I will raise the center like they say so it may be 3 ft total. My question is on the blocks, should I set them just below the concrete driveway to hold them in? Or for max height, set the edge on top of the concrete. see picture of edge. I plan on filling the block with concrete, do I need to fill all holes or every other?