Here are the shots of he raised bed I created last week. I did it out of pine, knowing it would not be as weather resistant, and we don't know how much longer we want to stay here. Here it is framed out, like planned 1 foot off the house 3x10 in size due to the ditch.
This shot shows several things:
The interior patching of the open areas with old wood scrap only the worms will see. It was an ugly process, and I recomned keeping the top level and planning better for the drop across it. The cardboard, and 1" chicken mess are in place at the base, used brick weighs down the chicken mesh. Plans recommeded extra stakes for spans of 10 feet or more, and we could see the sag on the down hill side. So I used a 2X6 strong tie on each end and used 2x4 studs to pull it together. It was less than admarable, but I did not want to pay for another 2x6. and 2 2x4 strong ties seemed excessive.
Here is the 3rd shot with homemade compost added. Some is leaf mold, other is well finished compost, this will level out and we will probably either add more compost from the pile, or buy some. Top coarse will be purchesed "Soil Building Compost.
Looks wonderful! You always learn a lot from doing the "first" one!
I think you did it exactly right. The plants and worms don't care about much but the dirt staying in place. It'll be fun to see your veggies grow.
I sure hope its going to look great. My DW has a brown thumb and this was built for her to deal with without my intervention which drives her nuts.
Looks perfect for a veggie garden within easy reach of the kitchen. I like raised beds for that purpose, since you can easily reach to cut lettuce leaves, herbs or whatever you need. She will love it!!
Yep, she was perusing catalogs just the other night, and I see the thumb greening up. All I need is a little more filler, probably from my compost but some purchased.
Grate job! What a thoughtfull guy to build a special spot for his wife to play with alone. Kudos to you, she's a lucky lady.
Well, here it is in its fullness of soil, about 1/2 home compost/leaf mold, 8 bags of Cedar Grove Organic compost, 3 bags (9 cuft) of Soil Building Compost, and 2 mushroom compost on top. Now we got to get down to how to plant it up. I will start that either off another thread or a new one.
Wow! You had better be careful when you walk by that bed after the plants are going. One might just reach out and grab you!
That's some nice rich soil, & going to be very toasty for plant toes.
Which way is it facing, Rob?
It is on the south side of my house, and has 8+ hours direct sun.
That soil looks delicious...like chocolate cake!
all-day reflected heat: tomato/pepper city!
True, it may be tomato/pepper city not to mention corn.....hey the perfect taco!
Anyone in the Portland area used Dean Innovations for soil?
I'm building a raised garden bed, too, and need topsoil and compost. Dean Innovations sounds good.
I'll have to lug the soil up 12 steps wheel barrel full by wheel barrel full. Ugh.
