Raised Bed Help PLEASE!

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TNGardener2008 Clarksville, TN Jun 25, 2008

I am thinking of making a raised bed against my house in the pathway from the front to the back yard. The ground there is very hard and rocky. It is impossible to dig- even to till it up I would have to hire someone (really don't have the $ for that). We bought our house as a new construction and this is one area where the ground is just impossible. Didn't really grow much grass there- just rocks and weeds. I have been so focused on getting the front and back grown in good- I guess I neglected the side. So I really want to camophlage the ugliness there. It is also the side where our electrical meters are. I have browsed some websites on how to make a raised bed, but the ones I found either require digging (not possible) or need more carpentry skills than I have (I can hammer a nail- sortof). Luckily it is level in that area- no slopes. Anyone have any easy ideas on a raised bed for that area? How deep should I make it? I would like to stick with perennials. It gets morning sun and afternoon shade- so I figured it shouldn't be too tough to get something pretty growing there...

Help!?!

Post #5158515
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JAFMArtin Ann Arbor, MI Jun 25, 2008

Oh - you need to do Square Foot Gardening!!!! http://www.squarefootgardening.com/ No digging - we just did it this year and our vegetable garden is going GANGBUSTERS :)

Post #5158611
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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Jun 26, 2008

The other thing you could consider is just buying some large containers and lining the path with those, no construction skills required at all!

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flowAjen central, NJ(Zone 6b) Jun 26, 2008

If you want to buy something to make them....
http://www.gardeners.com/Grow%20Beds/RaisedBed_Cat3,34-381RS,default,cp.html

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rednyr Sumter, SC(Zone 8a) Jun 26, 2008

I hauled in soil because I too have the hard ground issue you do...I hit hardpan at 4" in alot of places and even the tiller can't crack thru...soooo...I brought in 20 tons of soil for a raised bed...it is 50' long and approx 3' tall, about 6' wide...I mixed in alot of organic material (got plenty of leaves around here...) total in my yard I would have to say I have hualed in 50 tons of new topsoil over the last two years...but it was worth it for the areas which I just couldn't till without getting whiplash from the tiller....most building supply stores will help you figure out sq ftg, just know how wide, long and deep you want it ( 18" to 2' should be great for perennials)

However, I do agree with Ecrane that an easy way to amend the problem immed. would be to by 4 or 5 large containers and plant your heart out in em! I do recommend you investing in some polymer crystals for those containers to add to the potting mix (some even come with them in it too)...they are a true blessing on those hurried days you can't water prior to running out the door.....

Good luck and please show us pics when you decide what to do so we can oohh and ahh over your progress!

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