Raised Bed Gardens (setup/design)
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Hanahan, SC
Posts: 8,132

I'm planning to put in 3 4x8 raised beds over the winter in my back yard. Pretty much sun all day long where they will be going. My back yard is nothing but weeds/fill dirt that I will be seeding (or sodding if seeding doesn't work) in the Spring so I can pretty much do whatever I want as far as ripping up the ground.
I might bring the tractor home with the tiller, but may end up borrowing buddy's walk behind tiller for the garden job.
I'm thinking I will scrape a few inches of fill dirt out in the area, put landscape fabric or whatever down and cover with a few inches of mulch (I can get 57 or 789 granite for free from work, but think it may be tough on me/the gf if we have to kneel...raised beds are about 11" high or so). I'd also probably make it about 3' between gardens. As of now, I'd do 2 gardens one way and the 3rd the opposite way to keep the garden area more of a square shape for now. May add some other stuff, too, in the future depending on how this goes...I have plenty of room in back yard and the more I can take up with this stuff, the less grass I'll have to plant/maintain.
Soooooo, anyone here have something similar or want to tell me that my plan is all wrong and what I should really do? May end up having to fence the area in a bit, too, to try and keep critters (coons, opossum, and squirrels for the most part) out as much as possible.
These are the gardens I've bought/ordered. First was the real cedar (I will coat with mineral oil since I have a good bit at the house). The composite ones are the 2nd batch ordered (2 of those) and I wish I would have gotten all composite.
https://www.amazon.com/Greenes-Fence.../dp/B007CUXVJI
https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-fra...whLBoCKN7w_wcB
I might bring the tractor home with the tiller, but may end up borrowing buddy's walk behind tiller for the garden job.
I'm thinking I will scrape a few inches of fill dirt out in the area, put landscape fabric or whatever down and cover with a few inches of mulch (I can get 57 or 789 granite for free from work, but think it may be tough on me/the gf if we have to kneel...raised beds are about 11" high or so). I'd also probably make it about 3' between gardens. As of now, I'd do 2 gardens one way and the 3rd the opposite way to keep the garden area more of a square shape for now. May add some other stuff, too, in the future depending on how this goes...I have plenty of room in back yard and the more I can take up with this stuff, the less grass I'll have to plant/maintain.
Soooooo, anyone here have something similar or want to tell me that my plan is all wrong and what I should really do? May end up having to fence the area in a bit, too, to try and keep critters (coons, opossum, and squirrels for the most part) out as much as possible.
These are the gardens I've bought/ordered. First was the real cedar (I will coat with mineral oil since I have a good bit at the house). The composite ones are the 2nd batch ordered (2 of those) and I wish I would have gotten all composite.
https://www.amazon.com/Greenes-Fence.../dp/B007CUXVJI
https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-fra...whLBoCKN7w_wcB
#2

I just bought 1x6 and 2x2 from HD. Use the 2x2 in the corners and angle cut the bottom so they stuck in the ground. I did 3-4 layers of 1x6 stacked because I wanted deeper beds for the lasagna garden method and to reduce bending. This has worked the best for me. No need to even put anything down or scrape, just fill the box per the lasagna method.
Of you could put down a heavy layer of newspaper before filling. That can help kill the stuff you're going over. The best way to kill is black plastic and leave it on a long time into when it is warm so it can really cook the seeds in the ground.
Kind of like this - not mine just an example.

I'd suggest narrower beds. Reaching 2-3ft in while bending and kneeling is no fun. You can sit on a bucket or one of those garden stools instead with a taller bed. You also get to control the soil better for 2-3ft depending how tall you make them.
Like this for example but again I like taller.

I've seen some built with corrugated metal sides and a wood cap that looked nice. Or hay bales or pallets if you wanna go really backyard prepped style.
Use straw on the ground around the beds instead of the rock and it's nicer on your knees just kill the existing grass really well first
Of you could put down a heavy layer of newspaper before filling. That can help kill the stuff you're going over. The best way to kill is black plastic and leave it on a long time into when it is warm so it can really cook the seeds in the ground.
Kind of like this - not mine just an example.

I'd suggest narrower beds. Reaching 2-3ft in while bending and kneeling is no fun. You can sit on a bucket or one of those garden stools instead with a taller bed. You also get to control the soil better for 2-3ft depending how tall you make them.
Like this for example but again I like taller.

I've seen some built with corrugated metal sides and a wood cap that looked nice. Or hay bales or pallets if you wanna go really backyard prepped style.
Use straw on the ground around the beds instead of the rock and it's nicer on your knees just kill the existing grass really well first
#4
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Hanahan, SC
Posts: 8,132

I'm hoping the 4' wide won't be too much of an issue...I've read that you shouldn't go wider due to being able to reach.
No PT lumber for me...reason I started with cedar then figured I'd go the "no maintenance" route with composite. Hope it lasts. May look into straw (cheaper than mulch, I'm sure).
No PT lumber for me...reason I started with cedar then figured I'd go the "no maintenance" route with composite. Hope it lasts. May look into straw (cheaper than mulch, I'm sure).
#5
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Southwest Georgia
Posts: 172

http://www.familyhandyman.com/landsc...anter/view-all
I ran across this when I was trying to decide what I wanted to do about raised beds.
I'm going to attempt to make one of these this winter.
I ran across this when I was trying to decide what I wanted to do about raised beds.
I'm going to attempt to make one of these this winter.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Bright Side of the Moon
Posts: 3,585

Mom did a Hydroponic system years ago seemed to do really well but it didn't look like the systems I see when googling.
Ahh found her source which was always mother earth news, thought I remembered seeing the containers filled with gravel
http://www.motherearthnews.com/organ...ems-zmaz77zbon
Ahh found her source which was always mother earth news, thought I remembered seeing the containers filled with gravel
http://www.motherearthnews.com/organ...ems-zmaz77zbon
Last edited by Mine Now; 11-28-2016 at 09:52 AM.
#7
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Hanahan, SC
Posts: 8,132

http://www.familyhandyman.com/landsc...anter/view-all
I ran across this when I was trying to decide what I wanted to do about raised beds.
I'm going to attempt to make one of these this winter.
I ran across this when I was trying to decide what I wanted to do about raised beds.
I'm going to attempt to make one of these this winter.
#8

May be a bit different to what you are thinking but we have had very good luck with square foot gardening
http://www.squarefootgardening.com


And this thing has been awesome keep the critters away. Bought in 2009
https://www.amazon.com/ScareCrow-Mot.../dp/B000071NUS
http://www.squarefootgardening.com


And this thing has been awesome keep the critters away. Bought in 2009
https://www.amazon.com/ScareCrow-Mot.../dp/B000071NUS

#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,208

You've received some good advice. Just go for all new dirt in the raised bed--high quality, screened dirt.
And have the dirt analyzed by your state ag extension service to see if it's suitable for what you're wanting to grow. If you need to add nutrients or lime to get the soil right, you have time to get it ready for Spring planting season.
And have the dirt analyzed by your state ag extension service to see if it's suitable for what you're wanting to grow. If you need to add nutrients or lime to get the soil right, you have time to get it ready for Spring planting season.
#10
Admirals Club 

Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Hanahan, SC
Posts: 8,132

May be a bit different to what you are thinking but we have had very good luck with square foot gardening
http://www.squarefootgardening.com


And this thing has been awesome keep the critters away. Bought in 2009
https://www.amazon.com/ScareCrow-Mot.../dp/B000071NUS

http://www.squarefootgardening.com


And this thing has been awesome keep the critters away. Bought in 2009
https://www.amazon.com/ScareCrow-Mot.../dp/B000071NUS

#12
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location:
Posts: 3,510

I have a pretty extensive setup of raised beds/trenches. Here is a tip for your soil.
The most amazing no bullshit soil builder/amendment is bio-char.
Get some from a garden center or make your own and use it.
Your soil and plants will thank you.
The most amazing no bullshit soil builder/amendment is bio-char.
Get some from a garden center or make your own and use it.
Your soil and plants will thank you.
#13
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: winter garden fl / Tiger Ga/ New Port Richey fl
Posts: 2,528

Were in the process of putting in raised beds now. I had alot of 5/4 decking we had replaced with composite so i built them out of this. one is 16' by 3' two boards high the rest will be 11' by 3' .
We also have 3 hydroponic grow towers . We built an aquaponic out of pvc fence posts to experiment with a koi pond we already had. Wife is a 4th generation farm girl lol
We also have 3 hydroponic grow towers . We built an aquaponic out of pvc fence posts to experiment with a koi pond we already had. Wife is a 4th generation farm girl lol
#14
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Somewhere on the Big Bend.
Posts: 876

I have three 4' by 8' beds and one 12' by 2' raised beds. Love the raised beds. I have a bunch of collard's kale and broccoli going now. You can grow a ton of vegetables in a few raised beds. Definitely don't go wider than four feet.
#15
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Posts: 177

I built these last year, all cedar. Side walls are built to prevent bowing from wet soil inside. I build the removable cage when the squirrels show up to destroy our tomatoes just as they start to ripen. It was a fun project, took an entire weekend but I had it all planned out in advance.
#16
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Hanahan, SC
Posts: 8,132

I built these last year, all cedar. Side walls are built to prevent bowing from wet soil inside. I build the removable cage when the squirrels show up to destroy our tomatoes just as they start to ripen. It was a fun project, took an entire weekend but I had it all planned out in advance.
I didn't take the time to try and source cedar here locally, but hoping what I've got on the way will do the job.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Perdido Key
Posts: 6,347

You've received some good advice. Just go for all new dirt in the raised bed--high quality, screened dirt.
And have the dirt analyzed by your state ag extension service to see if it's suitable for what you're wanting to grow. If you need to add nutrients or lime to get the soil right, you have time to get it ready for Spring planting season.
And have the dirt analyzed by your state ag extension service to see if it's suitable for what you're wanting to grow. If you need to add nutrients or lime to get the soil right, you have time to get it ready for Spring planting season.
#18
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Hanahan, SC
Posts: 8,132
#19

I built these last year, all cedar. Side walls are built to prevent bowing from wet soil inside. I build the removable cage when the squirrels show up to destroy our tomatoes just as they start to ripen. It was a fun project, took an entire weekend but I had it all planned out in advance.

#20
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 11,417

PM me your county and I can probably get you the direct email address for the agent in your county that handles such. College roommate handles row crops for o-burg