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Garden Gate:  Raised Garden Boxes  |
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french08
True Blue Farmgirl
89 Posts
Kim
Sharon Springs
NY
USA
89 Posts |
 Posted - May 13 2011 : 06:07:53 AM
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Hello ladies! I need some advice and I know the perfect person to ask is a MJF Sister!
This year we decided to do raised garden beds. We used natural rough cut lumber because it's important to hubby and I to stay organic with our garden food. Here's the thing. In order to prolong the life of my new boxes, what should I "paint" them with? I live in upstate New York and read that to get a lil longer growing period, you can paint your boxes black, because black draws more heat. Any suggestions you may have would be awesome!
Thanks,
Kimmie
~~Kim French~~
Farmgirl Sister #2997
Farmgirl at Heart From The Start |
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CurlysQuilts
True Blue Farmgirl
569 Posts
Sarah
Northeast Kingdom
VT
USA
569 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 09:03:21 AM
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You don't necessarily need to paint them at all. Depends on the wood you get. We used rough cut hemlock and cedar for ours, and they do great. I get at least an extra week or two on most of the gardeners in my area because I have raised beds, and we're in northern Vermont. If you are using 2" lumber, you should be fine for years on your beds. I've had mine for four years now, and they are still going strong. You can tarp your boxes in the fall for the winter and they'll be ready to go even sooner. I also add black plastic to the boxes where I grow my tomatoes and peppers. Or I grow them in tires, depending on my crop rotation for that year. This year I have my tomatoes planned for a box and my peppers are going in a tire. I can post pictures if you want! :)
Curly's Quilts
www.curlysquilts.etsy.com
http://farmmade.com/index.php?option=com_ixxocart&Itemid=9&p=catalog&mode=vendor&vid=66
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:8
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laurentany
True Blue Farmgirl
3259 Posts
Laurie
Patchogue
NY
USA
3259 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 7:30:27 PM
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Hi Kimmie-
I have raised garden beds also. My hubby made them from "rough cut" untreated wood as well and I did not treat them at all. I am sure they will last at least 3-4 years untreated (probably longer) and the lumber was inexpensive, so if needed we will just make new ones. I agree with trying to keep everything organic- especially when it comes to growing your own food!
Good luck with the raised beds!
Farmgirl Smiles,
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
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pinokeeo
True Blue Farmgirl
559 Posts
Phyllis
Oregon
USA
559 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 8:48:43 PM
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| We have raised beds made from regular building lumber. The beds are about five to six years old and still holding up. If we have a blowout on one, I just pull the broken lumber and put in a new piece. No paint or finishes at all. |
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Bensgrandma
True Blue Farmgirl
227 Posts
Alexis
White Oak
PA
USA
227 Posts |
Posted - May 14 2011 : 04:48:38 AM
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Hi,
We have used raised beds (the same ones) for about 10 years. We just use plain rough cut lumber and don't have a problem with them. At first we made the corners overlap. Not sure I can explain that. I think he cut a pocket ot of one and slide the other side into it. Not the best idea because the corners fell off. They were kind of like this + but now we just have regular square corners and no problems at all. I grow a lot of my own vegetables in them. They are good because I have a hard time with my knees and the raised beds make it easier than getting down. They are 4 x 8 x 10 inches high. Perfect. We turn them over annually and add compost.
This year I added red plastic ground cover for the tomatoes because I heard it helped promote early and better tomatoe production (and I had a coupon for $25.00 off a $25.00 purchase from the catalog) so I got it for almost nothing. Hoping it will work so I can can a lot of tomatoes for winter.
We do a larger patch not raised beds for corn, sunflowers and green beans but I love my raised beds.
WE are also thinking about putting two old sliding glass door panels on two of them for a longer growning season in the fall - like a cold frame.
Alexis
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HugsandStitches
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ACharmingExperience |
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french08
True Blue Farmgirl
89 Posts
Kim
Sharon Springs
NY
USA
89 Posts |
Posted - May 14 2011 : 06:36:57 AM
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Thanks for all the comments. I guess we will go au-natural then.
~~Kim French~~
Farmgirl Sister #2997
Farmgirl at Heart From The Start |
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Heartbroken farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
604 Posts
Annette
rio vista
Ca
USA
604 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2011 : 08:06:05 AM
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When we bought this home, there were 8 raised beds already here. The neighbor said they've been here about 15 years! They are unpainted, untreated, and still in great shape. I added compost, seeded, turned them over three times(haven't been used in years) and I'm loving them. I have the biggest herb garden this year!!
I do have a problem though, maybe you ladies have a suggestion? After I turned it all over, the neighborhood cats found the boxes. I have lost quite a few seedlings to a kitty "doing his business," and burying and either knocking over or stepping on tiny shoots and sprouts.
The tears I shed then, watered the flowers I harvest now.
www.broken908.blogspot.com
http://forums.familyfriendpoems.com/broken908
"The aim of education is the knowledge not of facts but of values."-Dean William Ralph Inge |
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french08
True Blue Farmgirl
89 Posts
Kim
Sharon Springs
NY
USA
89 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2011 : 11:58:37 AM
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Oh no! I've never come across your problem with the kitty. Someone once told me they put kitty litter (clean) in their garden to fertilize the hot peppers. The peppers were SO HOT, they had to be thrown out!
~~Kim French~~
Farmgirl Sister #2997
Farmgirl at Heart From The Start |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2011 : 8:31:10 PM
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I have 3 raised beds and my cats and chickens think they are for them. I have to use the black plastic netting over them til everything gets big enough to uncover. It's the only way I can keep critters out. It seems like evry time I til or plant anything, they all come running. I even have to use old fence and the plastic netting to cover my no til beds too.
You might try moth balls but I have and it doesn't work. It only kept me out for awhile! But it might work for you. I also have to put lots of little sticks in my flowers pots and window boxes to keep the cats and chickens out. now that works pretty well and it doesn't look too bad.
kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Dirtduchess
True Blue Farmgirl
693 Posts
Patsy
Decatur
TX
USA
693 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2011 : 06:27:46 AM
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| I have a large orange tom cat that thinks all newly dug dirt is for his potty. When I begin new gardens I use 2 ft rabbit fence. The cost is not very much. When the plants are study enough I roll up the fence, store it, to use the next year. I use metal rods to hold up the fence. I get the rods from Lowes. I have done this for years. |
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2011 : 07:52:15 AM
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I make little protective cages out of chicken wire or garden edging for our garden plants and new flowers to keep our 7 cats from digging up new plants or laying on them.
For larger areas, like my garlic plot and container plants, I cut bamboo stakes that are about 3/8" in diameter into one and two foot lengths and stick them upright all over in the garden and planters where I don't want the kitties to wander. I place them close enough to each other that the kitties don't find it as comfortable to be there than somewhere else that might be softer. My husband says they remind him of punji sticks, but it doesn't hurt the kitties, only deters them.
I've also used cuttings from the numerous thorn trees on our property and placed them amongst new plants to keep the deer and kitties out. I've found that if the deer poke their noses on the thorns while they are trying to eat the tender plants, they will move away. It is kind of difficult to weed around the thorns though!!
-Paula
'Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift' - Eleanor Roosevelt |
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Heartbroken farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
604 Posts
Annette
rio vista
Ca
USA
604 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2011 : 07:54:06 AM
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Thanks ladies. I have lost a lot of fox gloves, half my thyme, all my sweet basil, and one oregano...all in a matter of 3 nights. I love cats, and while I have none of my own, the neighbours cats would come visit. I sometimes leave the front door open, and they just come on in. Now, I have to struggle not to get annoyed when I see em. The dirt is so pretty when all turned over, and dark, with tiny green plantings in contrast, I guess the kitties think so too...
Time to do something, or lots of somethings. It was beautiful for two weeks here. I planted and transplanted, and then, NO-AND I MEAN NO- SUNSHINE. The plants are at a stand still. No sun, no growin!
The tears I shed then, watered the flowers I harvest now.
www.broken908.blogspot.com
http://forums.familyfriendpoems.com/broken908
"The aim of education is the knowledge not of facts but of values."-Dean William Ralph Inge |
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Garden Gate: Raised Garden Boxes |
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Raised Garden Boxes
