My new garden area 3'X5'x26" raised beds (build start)

John10e 2/27/2021, 9:03 am

Doing raised beds this year. 3'x5' each
Unfortunately winter caught me before I could prep the beds fully. However I think I may turn the beds 90 degrees and put them against the fence. This would allow me to use the fence to support a PVC watering plan I have, eliminating tripping or digging. It will also allow me to add at least one more raised bed.
I was hoping to direct sow early and cover with containers for mini green houses.

My new garden area 3'X5'x26" raised beds (build start) 13993611

My new garden area 3'X5'x26" raised beds (build start) 14005710

My new garden area 3'X5'x26" raised beds (build start) 14000811

My new garden area 3'X5'x26" raised beds (build start) Raised11

My new garden area 3'X5'x26" raised beds (build start) Img_7410

OhioGardener 2/27/2021, 9:37 am

Looking good, John! I like the way you have them spaced a short distance away from the fence so the bed can be worked from either side. I have 3' spacing between my beds so that I can take a wheelbarrow down between all of them.

You may want to consider a support in the middle of the beds to prevent bowing outward from the weight of the soil. A rod between the sides with a large washer & nut on the outside should support them well.

garylee505 3/13/2021, 12:36 pm

Yes, looking good. Don't think I would change the orientation. The way you have them now gives room to bring in and cart out stuff with a small wheelbarrow or cart - you'll need that. In fact you might want to push the beds a bit more towards one side or another (depending on sun probably) to accommodate whatever cart or wheelbarrow you are going to use.
I'm also wondering why you made the beds so tall. Its going to take a ton of material to fill them, which could be pricey. Most plants don't grow more than about 6" deep, so a 12" tall bed with 9" or so of fill is plenty adequate.

John10e 3/13/2021, 1:36 pm

garylee505 wrote:Yes, looking good. Don't think I would change the orientation. The way you have them now gives room to bring in and cart out stuff with a small wheelbarrow or cart - you'll need that. In fact you might want to push the beds a bit more towards one side or another (depending on sun probably) to accommodate whatever cart or wheelbarrow you are going to use.
I'm also wondering why you made the beds so tall. Its going to take a ton of material to fill them, which could be pricey. Most plants don't grow more than about 6" deep, so a 12" tall bed with 9" or so of fill is plenty adequate.

Thank you.

I wanted tall beds because of my old knees and wanted to raise the plants higher to catch more of the morning sun due to the shade from the neighbors house.

I'll be using the hugelkultur method. The bottom base of the beds will have logs, sticks, leaves and cardboard as filler. I will be making a soil mix only for the top half of the beds. As the wood..ect.. breaks down over time I will top off the beds as needed with more mix.

garylee505 3/13/2021, 1:51 pm

Makes sense! I'm older too and have built a couple of elevated beds, raised to a little above waist level. They are so nice for low-growing crops like carrots, spinach, lettuce, etc. No bending!
Anyway, great work and have fun!

ralitaco 3/13/2021, 4:03 pm

The beds look great. I agree that they are a bit deep for typical Square Foot Gardening. Also, 2' is about the max you can comfortably reach, so you may want to position the beds so you can walk around them.

**sanderson** 3/15/2021, 11:49 pm

John, Definitely keep the beds in position so you can walk all the way around them. You can also fill the lower part with clean sand.

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My new garden area 3'X5'x26" raised beds (build start)

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Re: My new garden area 3'X5'x26" raised beds (build start)

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