Installing raised veggie beds
Last Saturday Nathan and I installed two new raised beds for growing veggies in the backyard. As promised, here’s the day in photos:
First we rented a tiller from the Home Despot, and Nathan tilled up some grass.
(Nathan described the tilling phase of this project as an epic struggle of man and machine vs. nature. If you look closely, you can see our dog Sam watching calmly in the background.)
Then Nathan built two 4′ x 10′ frames out of untreated cedar that I picked up at Home Depot when I returned the tiller.
(He’s so awesome–he even wore safety goggles.)
To the clay that we tilled up, we added compost from the bin that the previous owners established.
Finally, I covered both of the beds with thick black plastic lawn bags in an attempt to keep the nasties out until we’re ready to plant the new beds.
I’m hoping to get the tomato and pepper seeds started indoors today or tomorrow. Yes!
In blog-related news, I re-wrote the About page of this site earlier today.
Also, Nathan has generously agreed to be responsible for baby care all day while I attend the Garden Bloggers Spring Fling in April. *excitement*
Posted in hardscape
February 12th, 2008 at 10:55 pm CST
Looks like a day’s work. Whew! Did you run into a lot of rocks or tree roots? I tried a tiller the first year I moved into this house, too, but there were just too many of both. I like the raised bed idea. I built two for my supposed rose garden but a couple of years later they were both in deep shade. I haven’t figured out yet what to plant there to replace the roses.
We did hit one fairly large root, I’m guessing from either the apple or the pecan tree nearby? I think we’ll be able to work around it without too many problems.
Speaking of those nearby trees, here’s hoping we don’t eventually find ourselves in the same situation that you did with your raised beds. But hey, even if we do, this is about learning, right? I’d be interested to hear about it once you decide what to plant in your now shady raised beds.
-Brianna
February 13th, 2008 at 2:07 am CST
I garden in a garden that has 4 - count em, 4 - trees and 2 tree stumps in a fairly small space, so i’m well conversant with the problems of tree roots and shade! so far as i see with roots you have a couple options: 1) go through em (and remove them). 2) go around em. we go for a combination of both, depending on how close they are to the surface, and how thick they are. Obviously thin roots won’t be missed by the tree much, but cutting thick roots could permanently damage the tree and we’ve no desire to do that, even though they are a pain in the proverbial! Raised beds is the right way to go, helps increase the depth of soil you have before you’re likely to hit a tree root.
as far as shade goes: all you can really do is to try to plant accordingly.
good luck with it though!
keth
xx
February 13th, 2008 at 2:09 am CST
I also showed my OH the photo of Nathan working with the tiller. We’ve just done part of our garden with a tiller too (yesterday. boy, they don’t half bounce around, don’t they?). OH commented: “he looks much cooler than i did”. “yes, but thats because he has a cowboy hat”, i said. “but i want a cowboy hat!” he said. Oh dear. I better get him one now..
keth
xx
Hi, Keth :). I just had a peek at the tiller photos on your blog. And hey, your OH is wearing camo pants! That’s pretty cool, if you ask me. Thanks for the comments.
-Brianna
February 13th, 2008 at 4:42 am CST
Brianna, I have enjoyed reading yoour new blog. Good job! Good luck on your raised beds.
Thanks for visiting, Beckie.
-Brianna
February 16th, 2008 at 2:46 pm CST
I’m delighted to hear that you’ll join the Garden Bloggers Spring Fling. I’ll add you to the guest list right now!
Ok, great, thank you. I was planning to RSVP by email, I just hadn’t gotten to it yet.
It sounds like it’s going to be an amazing day–thanks for organizing the event.
-Brianna
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:05 am CDT
Thanks for the raised bed tips. I built one last year that looks very similar to yours…and it was quite the accomplishment since I am NO carpenter! Luckily, it is still intact after the snowstorms and -20 and lower temps of the past winter here in the mountains. Still awfully chilly here but am anxiously awaiting seed sprouting time.
When I start my next raised bed I’ll do a much better job thanks to your ideas.