Re: Arbors

CarolynPhillips 2/20/2011, 6:28 pm

another view.

Arbors - Page 3 100_0580

quiltbea 2/20/2011, 6:52 pm

CArolyn,
I love your high beds. That would be great for my old back.

Lookin' good!

CarolynPhillips 2/20/2011, 7:06 pm

I sit on the blocks to plant and maintain. I don't have an Old back yet but have had arthritis in my back for 11 years now. Arthritis in my knees for 20 years---I have it everywhere along with Fibromyalgia. The combination of the two is a killer so I been trying to make my gardens easier on my back and knees. Just building and making those concrete beds stiffened my entire body but the outcome is worth it.

quiltbea 2/20/2011, 7:24 pm

I can see me sitting on the blocks and smiling ear to ear.

Someone on the forum mentioned buying them when they could afford them.
I think I'll buy concrete blocks whenever I have a few extra dollars. After a year, I might have enough for one bed. One bed a year for awhile is OK. At least its better than none at all.

By the time my wood rots and I need new beds, I'll have enough concrete to build a couple.

What is the width of yours with the 3 blocks, Carolyn?

CarolynPhillips 2/20/2011, 8:53 pm

the blocks are 8inch x 16inch. the width of 3 blocks equals 4 ft.
It takes 10 blocks to make a 4'x4' bed.
Down here the blocks cost about $1.38 at Home Depot right now.

With tax---a bed 4x4 and three blocks high would cost about $45 not counting
the soil.
one block high---$15
Could always start out with one level and build it up each year.

quiltbea 2/20/2011, 9:07 pm

Carolyn,
Thanks for the input. I'm putting this info in my Garden Notebook for future reference.

That's a good idea of making it one block high to begin and then adding on top in the future when I'll really be needing a place to sit while I garden.
Good thinking.

CarolynPhillips 2/20/2011, 9:34 pm

My block beds started out as one block high. I had the garden area in a low area in the front yard and I thought I allowed drainage around the perimeter and even put in a few ditches but it rained soooooooooooooooo much 2 years ago that the entire garden area was sitting in water. I could not walk through it. I needed a boat. So I started moving the block beds to higher ground little by little and since I had 100s of blocks , I started making them higher up.

here is an old old photo.
Arbors - Page 3 DSCN1829

Goosegirl 2/20/2011, 9:38 pm

Gorgeous! Hubby wouldn't be depressed about my gardening if I got my yard looking that neat and organized!

staf74 2/21/2011, 8:32 am

FANTASTIC ..... BRAVO !!!

I bet you also can get some insulation from frosts from the dead air space in between if you wanted to (assuming the top is covered of course)....or plant some pretty pansies / cascading flowers to beautify. I'm TOTALLY stealing this idea !!!!

THANKS and WELL DONE Very Happy

CarolynPhillips 2/21/2011, 8:55 am

Thank You, Thank You.

Me and my grandfather were just talking about protection for those beds yesterday.
Will be so easy to throw some plastic over the whole thing and hold it down with blocks
during frosty nights----even an electric heater if needed. It will take a 50 ft sheet of plastic to cover it. The bed is about 30 ft long including the walk through arch trellis space.

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