| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| YiberryYadeeKarin |
Posted - Sep 18 2007 : 1:19:40 PM
I'm trying to gather some ideas for making some taller raised beds. I've had some shallower (12" or so deep) ones in the past made out of old fence boards, but I'd like something a lot taller so 1) I might have terraced beds in my backyard and 2) not have to get down on my poor knees any more than I have to.
I've thought about concrete blocks but I also don't have a lot of money so am looking for something relatively inexpensive AND something I can do myself.
Thanks in advance for any ideas/suggestions! Karin |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Hideaway Farmgirl |
Posted - Sep 21 2007 : 04:48:22 AM
Karin, here's another idea using concrete blocks mentioned by Tasha: making concrete sofas is a project on the DIY (Do It Yourself ) website... www.diynet.com. The project shows how to make a sofa that stays outside year round and can be washed down wtih a garden hose as necessary, and decorated wtih cushions or throw blankets, etc. Anyway, it reminded me of your dilemma, and i thought this might work for raised flower sofas (putting a spin on flower beds, sorry for the pun). Anyway, I like the idea of the sofa myself, to build a sitting area near our pond, we can take blankets and cushions down there when we want to picnic or relax.
Jo
"Wish I had time to work with herbs all day!" |
| Hideaway Farmgirl |
Posted - Sep 19 2007 : 11:07:55 AM
How about used children's swimming pools, you know; those blue plastic round shallow pools that go on sale about this time of year? I like the idea of unusual containers; I have also seen people use old wheelbarrows filled with dirt for planting, and they hang baskets and other adornments from the handles.
The favorite thing I've seen is a twin size bed - headboard and footboard, with flowers planted in it for a Flower Bed. The people used to plant taller and contrasting colored flowers at the head, making it look like a pillow to lay your head upon!
Jo
"Wish I had time to work with herbs all day!" |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Sep 18 2007 : 4:13:35 PM
We've done the tires and they worked GREAT!
We've also done washers (the inside part) and believe it or not my grandmother even did old toilets! lol haha |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Sep 18 2007 : 2:18:51 PM
our local papermill has a lot where they stack up wooden pallets free for the taking.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Sep 18 2007 : 2:17:45 PM
you could ask around at places for shipping pallets.
Places like feed stores and garden centers sometimes get their items delivered on wooden pallets which you can probably take apart and use the wood from for building.
just another idea.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
| GaiasRose |
Posted - Sep 18 2007 : 2:09:19 PM
OH! You could also check if your county has a recyling program. In our county, the waste management has hoards of things like planks of wood, cinder blocks, rain barrels, tires, etc. that are mostly free for the taking. It's a great way to keep very useable things out of the landfills.
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://womonandsprout.wordpress.com
Homepage:
http://ForestFaeries.etsy.com
Birth is safe, interference is risky; TRUST BIRTH |
| GaiasRose |
Posted - Sep 18 2007 : 2:07:14 PM
check your local freecycle. We got a few old worn tires for some of our herbs this year as well (I was reminded by Babs' post) I was fortunate enough to meet up with someone who recycles GINORMOUS tractor tires and Mack truck tires. We got three and they served as another potato patch, a greens patch and the herb and edible flower patch....I should have taken more pictures this year. oy.
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://womonandsprout.wordpress.com
Homepage:
http://ForestFaeries.etsy.com
Birth is safe, interference is risky; TRUST BIRTH |
| babs |
Posted - Sep 18 2007 : 2:06:21 PM
You can stack these! http://gardenraisedbeds.com/
I don't know what shipping would cost, but if I had to build it myself, I spend more *not* to have to lug cinder blocks.
Babs
Laundry Soap & girly stuff: www.mugwortmaggies.com
Connect to me on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mugwortmaggie
|
| babs |
Posted - Sep 18 2007 : 1:48:59 PM
I have a friend who uses everything and anything that will hold dirt. Baskets, tires, stock tanks, feed troughs, etc. She even has what I think was an old oil barrel, cut in half and plants in both halves.
Also.. you could add another round of boards on top of the beds you have. That would make them taller.
Raised bed image search yields this:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=raised+beds&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2
Babs
Laundry Soap & girly stuff: www.mugwortmaggies.com
Connect to me on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mugwortmaggie
|
| GaiasRose |
Posted - Sep 18 2007 : 1:41:15 PM
We did concrete blocks, but thankfully a lot of them we got for nothing. Some were from my IL's cabin and some were here when we bought our home, the rest we purchased. I like your terracing idea.
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://womonandsprout.wordpress.com
Homepage:
http://ForestFaeries.etsy.com
Birth is safe, interference is risky; TRUST BIRTH |
