My first time...

OK I am new to this, but I am a believer.

I live in Tri-Cities TN area. I have been growing tomato plants for 10 years in beds beside the house. Mostly heirloom Oxhearts and Beefsteaks although I have played around
with other heirloom varieties.

I always wanted a garden but didn't have the time to tend a regular garden. I had a spot picked out for a single row garden but it was 200 feet away from the house. And we take care of my mother-in-law and she is 75. I wanted her to be able to piddle with it just to keep her active but the spot was down a 75 foot slope. It was not suitable for her. So I happened upon Mel's book while researching raised bed gardening.

I just built my second 4x13 bed. I had 6 foot 2x6's so that's why they are 4x13. I know 6 x 2 = 12 not 13 but when you see the pics you'll understand. They are placed beside our pool which is 15 feet from our patio. Close is good. My wife Cat is a planner. She is all about this, with her charts and her laptop and her colored pens and highlighters and graph paper. I guess I am a little more free-wheeling than that.

Anyhoo, I am in the mid-south so I'll try to post some pics of my first time in the Mid-South forum. I see in the book that I can start some cabbage and leaf lettuce now... great!

Tabletops are great for us older gardeners. We can get our hands in without all the bending or kneeling. Try one for your mother. Lots of threads on constuction in this forum. All my beds are going to be tabletops.

PaddyG wrote:OK I am new to this, but I am a believer.

I live in Tri-Cities TN area. I have been growing tomato plants for 10 years in beds beside the house. Mostly heirloom Oxhearts and Beefsteaks although I have played around
with other heirloom varieties.

I always wanted a garden but didn't have the time to tend a regular garden. I had a spot picked out for a single row garden but it was 200 feet away from the house. And we take care of my mother-in-law and she is 75. I wanted her to be able to piddle with it just to keep her active but the spot was down a 75 foot slope. It was not suitable for her. So I happened upon Mel's book while researching raised bed gardening.

I just built my second 4x13 bed. I had 6 foot 2x6's so that's why they are 4x13. I know 6 x 2 = 12 not 13 but when you see the pics you'll understand. They are placed beside our pool which is 15 feet from our patio. Close is good. My wife Cat is a planner. She is all about this, with her charts and her laptop and her colored pens and highlighters and graph paper. I guess I am a little more free-wheeling than that.

Anyhoo, I am in the mid-south so I'll try to post some pics of my first time in the Mid-South forum. I see in the book that I can start some cabbage and leaf lettuce now... great!

PaddyG,

What a great thing to do, placing your SFG beds close to the house so your MIL can participate. You will find it makes things easier on you too! You might like to look at some examples of Table Top SFG's so your MIL does not even have to bend over to piddle in the garden. The following links include some good photos and directions. There are other members with Table Tops, and I don't mean to leave them out, I mostly followed Boffer's advice when my husband and I built mine.

Boffers TT

Furbalsmom TT

So looking forward to your pictures. Please keep us updated on your progress.

Just thought I'd say hi from one newbie to another! I have a kiddo at ETSU so I'm over your way occasionally! It's a gorgeous area and yes this city girl has the envies!

PaddyG,
Welcome to the SFG forum. I'm glad you found that book in your search on raised beds. You'll be so glad you did when you harvest your first crops. Its wonderful.
I'm sure your MIL will enjoy being able to do a little gardening outside her door.
Good luck.