My hubby got me the Square foot gardening book for Mother's Day. I can't wait to dive in. I am currently using a cement "dog run" for my containers. I want to buy raised bed kits. I saw them at Lowe's for 99.00 a piece. Can anyone tell me how you got started? I can't dig as we are staying with my sister in law and she doesn't want the yard dug up.
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts
Posted - May 11 2010 : 06:57:14 AM
goodmorning amy, may i suggest you make them your self. very easy. i use 2 by 12 lumber for the sides. lowes or most places will cut the lumber the size you want. then there is a corner brace you screw the boards together on the corners. it holds both the side and end together. i did seal mine after. it helps keep them clean. the dirt does not soak in. its less than half what you would pay if you bought one made.i lined mine with plastic up the sides. i stapled it to the inside of the frame onto the boards. fill and you have a raised bed. we built some for a friend. she has trouble bending down. we built them up to 3 feet and it helps her to work in them. also with 3 boards high you can grow tomatoes and corn in them. they need that extra height for roots. hope it helps. i know others will come on with ideas also. happy days sherye
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts
Posted - May 11 2010 : 5:39:18 PM
yes only the outside. i lined the inside with plastic and stapled it to the inside of the frame. they are great. she loves them. we have peas and radish in there for her now. i grow her stuff and do her chores. we used screws not nails and metal corner braces from lowes or home depot.hope this helps. if you have a question you can email or post here. happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm farmgirl #1014
KanMogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
349 Posts
Katherine
Rock
Kansas
USA
349 Posts
Posted - May 11 2010 : 6:06:16 PM
I got that book. I planted 4 tomatoes, 1 pepper, and some lettuce using this method along with planting straight into bags of topsoil. My husband built a frame to put the bags into to help them from spreading out too much.
I would rather wear out than rust out.----Richard Cumberland
HI Amy- I just got a raised garden bed from Sams Club- not sure if you have a Sams nearby or not- but also check out the website: www.greenlandgardener.com this is the type of bed that I got an I really like it. My Hubby is gonna buil me another one using lumber- pressure treated as Sherrye suggested- they are very easy to make. Also saw something on MJ Farm about someone who used old garage doors to make their own garden beds. Happy gardening! ~Laurie Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away..
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts
Posted - May 11 2010 : 7:12:08 PM
laurie i dont recommend pressure treated wood if you are growing food. the arsnic leaches into the soil. then the plant takes it up. then we eat it. not good happy gardening just my thoughts sherrye
Wow Sherrye- thank you so much- I honestly didnt even think of it that way.. Guess its ok for flowers but even still, not sure I want to go there! I was jsut so happy when my hubby offered to build for me! HA! Thanks for the info! ~Laurie
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away..
Square foot gardening
Posted - May 11 2010 : 06:33:26 AM
