Raised garden beds

[DKCDKC]

I don't like PT for vegetable gardens, though I do use it for raised beds for flowers & shrubs. In the garden I use cinderblocks. Usually checking around will give you sources for used or left-over cinderblocks. I get them pretty cheap. I do buy cap blocks from Lowes just to make a sitting surface and for appearance. The beauty of the system is that I can then add a second and third row of blocks to raise the bed - something I need more of as the years pass. I usually drive rebar and scrap metal fence posts into the middle of the blocks if they are 2 or3 high to keep them stable and straight. I also put a shovel-full of gravel in the holes in the blocks before I place the capstone to keep mice from nesting there. I also lay hardware cloth (quarter inch welded wire) under the beds to keep moles out. Didn't do it at first and lost plants to the moles, voles and mice that love the soft garden soil. At least it's harder for them to get in. I make my beds about 36 inches wide and 10 feet long. I use scraps of old wire fence and metal posts to support vining plants - although I reserve a big flat area for squash and pumpkins, because they just like to spread out.

I am lucky to have an inexhaustible supply of both rich creek-side and forest soil - and a tractor to fetch it with.

My camera died with snow pictures in February, so I can't post pix. I'm getting a new camera shortly and will post pix of the garden later. Right now its cold and the soil is too wet to work.

My big hand tiller broke last year but I find with raised bed and careful soil mixing, I really don't have to till anyway. I have four block beds in the garden now, and two older ones made with 2 by 6 pine. But they won't last much longer.

 

[Tollster]

I have not done any raised gardens, but have read about them quite a bit, Mother earth news always runs a lot of stories on construction and maintenance. http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/build-raised-garden-beds-zmaz85mazsie.aspx

Put raised gardening beds in the ME search box, I got a lot of hits on their site

I think the widths are important for weeding and planting so you have easy access from both sides, also space them far enough apart for wheel barrow or compact tractor access..
I also think you gain an edge in the northern climates and tend to warm up faster, this may also mean you may have to water more during the hot summer months..

I just saw meat and produce is going up considerably again this year, so growing your own is looking a lot more likely for many. I am beginning to feel the more self sufficient you are (more so than I ever have), the better off you are, with that said, I would consider planting more than I could consume and barter some of the produce, before I sold for cash.

 

[dragoneggs]

I have not done any raised gardens, but have read about them quite a bit, Mother earth news always runs a lot of stories on construction and maintenance. Six Ways to Build Raised Garden Beds - Organic Gardening - MOTHER EARTH NEWS

I think the widths are important for weeding and planting so you have easy access from both sides, also space them far enough apart for wheel barrow or compact tractor access..
I also think you gain an edge in the northern climates and tend to warm up faster, this may also mean you may have to water more during the hot summer months..

I just saw meat and produce is going up considerably again this year, so growing your own is looking a lot more likely for many. I am beginning to feel the more self sufficient you are (more so than I ever have), the better off you are, with that said, I would consider planting more than I could consume and barter some of the produce, before I sold for cash.

Yeah I think that is where the 4ft width comes from... easy access not requiring you to step in. The raised bed is for heat. But cold nights without protection are its bane.

 

[General Lee]

DKCDKC - I like your idea on using blocks and will consider them myself. But then when you get into to filling the voids w/ gravel, capstones, etc, I'm wondering if I'm gonna be above budget. I'll have to look for used materials. Much better alternative than PT or non-PT wood.

They will be in the middle of my largest area, so sun and access to all sides shouldn't be a problem.

 

[AGRIMAN]

I built these 42" high boxes for a gentlemen who loved to garden but had severe back problems and could no longer bend over at all. Built out of pt then lined with heavy plastic to keep from contaminating the soil. Very unconventional but what he required. Luckily he had a free supply of quality soil in the tune of 15 tons to fill them with.

A few years back we built something similar for my mother. She is now 76 and can no longer bend over because of her bad knees. We built hers from concrete blocks, but only around 3' wide (so she can reach the middle from either side) and they are 10' long (if i remember correctly). It did take a lot of dirt, but I filled them with a mixture of top soil (that I skimmed from several places in one of our fields), compost from the cow lot and I added in some potting soil just for good measure.

Nevertheless, it's some of the best money/time we ever spent as she can once again get outside and play around with her garden.

 

[newbury]

but only around 3' wide (so she can reach the middle from either side)

That's very important. Take the size of the user into account. My son's and I stand over 6', SWMBO about 5'. A raised bed 3' high and 4'+ wide is ideal for us males, SWMBO can't conveniently reach the middle. 18 inches high does better for her but hurts my back bending over.

 

[DKCDKC]

I like blocks because they can be easily raised to any level that's comfortable. Since I'm knocking on 70, that becomes a strong positive. I usually put in several inches of gravel in the bottom of each void in the blocks, but don't fill the rest. The blocks fit tight enough to keep vermin out, and my cap blocks cover the top. Haven't had anything cause trouble that way.

I'm lucky in having lots of excellent soil to fill the beds with - creek bottom black, forest brown and a splash of composted chicken manure from the organic farmer who rents my field.

I'd like to raise more for barter, but you have to really put in some work to make it pay. If you put in squash, tomatoes and other lower maintenance and hardy plants, they do well - but come into season right when everyone else has the same produce - and the value for barter or selling is minimal. We focus more on stuff we can can or freeze easily.

I'd like to raise some chickens for meat, but even though I've got the land, I've also got an abundance of predators. Making coops, chicken houses and protected runs costs a bunch, now that I've pretty much used up all my lumber scraps on other projects. When I look at buying chickens from a neighboring farmer versus growing them myself, it would be a lot of work for minimal payoff. But, as prices rise, I shall re-examine.

 

[RobA]

I am also thinking of raised beds. Any thoughts on using cyprus to build the boxes? A local lumber supply has rough cut boards at reasonable prices.

 

[dragoneggs]

I am also thinking of raised beds. Any thoughts on using cyprus to build the boxes? A local lumber supply has rough cut boards at reasonable prices.

Cypress is very similar to cedar with respect to decay. If you indeed have access to reasonably priced lumber, go for it!

 

[Looking4new]

We start our tomatoes, eggplant and peppers off in the house right beside the wood stove. They are sprouting now. Once they get to be about an inch high they will be transferred to 6" pots. Once the snow goes, I've got 10 more beds to build. 2 of them will be 4x16, the rest will be 4x4.

 

[/pine]

Cypress is very similar to cedar with respect to decay. If you indeed have access to reasonably priced lumber, go for it!

Not sure if you have subterranean termites ?...but they will devour cypress that is in contact with the ground...

It makes great bird houses and feeders ...does not rot and does not need painting/sealing etc...develops a really nice weathered (grey) patina..

 

[DFB]

Cripes I stopped at my local lumber supplier today out curiosity to ask about cedar..he laughed. We got to talking and decided hemlock from nearby sawmill would be the better alternative to using SPF lumber and still be economical. He wasn't keen on using pt for projects like this also reiterated the point how the PT treated wood is corrosive to uncoated fasteners.

 

[dragoneggs]

yeah whatever you do as far as wood selection... treated wood is a mistake if you are thinking edible plants!

 

[TomSeller]

Here in the PNW, my wifey has had best success with Carrots, Beets, Leaf lettuce, Kale, Cucumbers, Beans, Peas, Chives, Tomatoes. Building her a HF 10 by 12 greenhouse shortly. Kit sitting waiting for me to find time and some decent weather to start. That should open up a lot more possibilities. Want to grow peppers, better tomatoes, not to mention some small trees like lemon and limes!

Don't you have issues with carrot fly up there?

 

[dragoneggs]

Don't you have issues with carrot fly up there?

No because we grow our carrots underground. :laughing: Seriously, no we haven't had that issue (maybe dumb luck) and our carrots will winter over decently well. We do get occasional attacks but not bad enough to seek defensive measures.

 

[charlz]

I don't even bother with growing carrots, they are cheap in the stores and I don't use that many.

 

[DFB]

I love they way they make "baby" carrots from the big ones! :laughing:

 

[TomSeller]

I have onion starts in the ground and seeded peas, but that is about it so far. I need to get going on it.

 

[dave1949]

My raised beds have not yet appeared from the 3' of snow covering the yard.

 

[DFB]

My raised beds have not yet appeared from the 3' of snow covering the yard.

Greenhouses are getting fired up now! :thumbsup: