New to SFG but not new to gardening...I'm setting up my 6 raised beds

Hi SFG enthusiasts.  I've been gardening on and off since 1990.  Three years ago my wife and I bought a house with 1/4 acre lot in El Sobrante (15 miles from San Francisco).  I immediately put in a 20' x 50' garden.  The first year it was fantastic.  Tomatoes, cabbage, onions, squash, lettuce, spinach...you name it.  All types of fresh veggies.  Last year the little local terrorists (moles) destroyed the garden.  What a heart break.  I gave up and spent my time building furniture for my house (my other hobby is woodworking).

I researched the mole problem and came to the conclusion that the only way to grow veggies in this mole infested area was to build raised beds.  I considered using 2 x 8 redwood for my beds but was concerned that in 10 years (when I'm 73), they would be rotting and I'd have to rebuild them.  Not something that I would look forward to.  So we built the beds out of cinder blocks and concrete.  My beds look very similar to fortified bunkers.  They start out with a 4 inch cement pad with cinder blocks creating the walls of the beds.  The cinder blocks are 3 tiers high (24 inches high).  They are built with re-bar both vertical and horizontal and the cinder block cavities are filled with concrete.  We added 3 different colored stucco coatings to give it additional beauty.

I was concerned about having good drainage.  I didn't want my beds to become mud filled swimming pools.  So in each bed I ran two lines of 3 inch French drains covered with 6 inches of 3/4 drain rock.  Additionally each bed got 8 additional 1" drain holes.  On top of the drain rock is 11 inches of top quality garden soil specialized for garden nurseries.  Then 7 inches of Mel's mix tops it off.

I just got done adding Mel's mix to my largest bed.  Within a week or two I'll put Mel's mix in two more of the beds.  So three of my 6 beds will be SFG style soil.  I will add the squares and drip watering system and see how Mel's method works with actually growing veggies.  If all goes well I'll convert the last 3 beds to Mel's method in a couple months.  Until then I'm going to cover the last 3 with tarp and let them lay fallow so not to grow weeds.

Sorry guys...this "introduction" has turned into a book.  In a couple days I'll take some pictures of my backyard bunker system and post them.

Best,
Mazzy

P.S.  if the little terrorists figure out a way to rappel up the walls or parachute in...they can have it  :>)

   I can't wait to see your "mole bunkers"    

Kay

Hello Kay...would I post the pictures in this area or is there another area I should post them in?

Mazzy

Mazzy, Welcome to the Forum!    

You post your photos right here. https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t16654-video-tutorial-how-to-post-a-picture-located-on-your-computer

Hi Mazzy.  Welcome!

My hubby (Mike) & I are also woodworkers.  And you should see Pappy Slip's posts for ideas for woodworking in the garden!

Wow...I love his trellis.  I'd make one like it to put on the left side of the garden but my two dogs would eat it.  They are 3 year old standard poodle brothers (litter mates) and they are NUTS!!!  

Mazzy

Heheh, sounds like our Aussie Shepherd girl. When she was a puppy, she ate the siding off the house and ate holes in the floor of our deck. Now she just drags logs from the woodpile and eats them.

 mazzy.  Look forward to your pictures. Your set-up sounds very interesting and I like your forward thinking.

Kelejan...check out my pictures  https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t17856-new-concrete-raised-garden-beds#195521

Mazzy

Lovely, Mazzy. I have added a suggestion there.