3 Tabletops...now to measure the sun

**jamesindetroit** 5/1/2011, 10:35 pm

So it's hard to measure the sun here in Belleville, MI, at least related to the patio barriers I'm facing. The building I live in blocks out the south sun. So I'm hoping I can estimate 3 from the morning sun, an hour from the noon sun...maybe...and 3-4 from the afternoon sun. Here is the setup thus far,

3 Tabletops...now to measure the sun 5_1_1111

3 Tabletops...now to measure the sun 5_1_1111

Old Hippie 5/2/2011, 1:26 am

Your table top beds look awesome. Hopefully you will get enough sun to get some veggies. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Gwynn

**Furbalsmom** 5/2/2011, 3:05 am

Good looking table tops James.

Here's hoping for a good bit of sun on those beds. They will get a little more sun being table top height than if you had them planted at ground level.

tabletopper 5/2/2011, 6:32 am

Looks great.....you did do the drainage holes I hope.....If it were me I would put more support in the middle maybe a stack of concrete blocks....
Check out boffer's pics in the gallery....he puts hardware wire cloth in the bottom for more support....the bottoms have a tendency to sag a little....
Next boxes I make I will try it out.....
Ruth

**jamesindetroit** 5/2/2011, 10:10 am

tabletopper wrote:Looks great.....you did do the drainage holes I hope.....If it were me I would put more support in the middle maybe a stack of concrete blocks....
Check out boffer's pics in the gallery....he puts hardware wire cloth in the bottom for more support....the bottoms have a tendency to sag a little....
Next boxes I make I will try it out.....
Ruth

I did use 3/4 Sheating for extra support. I was pretty extensive with the bottom nails and knee braces as well. I stood directly in the center of the tables and I'm about 200lbs easy.

I did do drainage holes!

ashort 5/2/2011, 6:30 pm

Man, those look great - nice carpentry...

Unmutual 5/3/2011, 3:20 am

Those TT beds do look nice, they make me want to build some more beds. Good luck with the sun.

Unmutual 5/3/2011, 3:59 am

Since I'm no longer allowed to edit my message, that one box by the electric meters...you may want to move that, or grow well behaving plants there. That doesn't look like a lot of room left for the meter reader.

**jamesindetroit** 5/6/2011, 8:31 am

jamesindetroit wrote:So it's hard to measure the sun here in Belleville, MI, at least related to the patio barriers I'm facing. The building I live in blocks out the south sun. So I'm hoping I can estimate 3 from the morning sun, an hour from the noon sun...maybe...and 3-4 from the afternoon sun. Here is the setup thus far,

Finally finished. Still have to hang two trellis nettings thought... Sun we get is pretty decent throughout the day, and that's just this low spring sun too..

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3 Tabletops...now to measure the sun 5_6_1110

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nancy 5/6/2011, 9:17 am

Awesome! They look great!

Lurach 5/6/2011, 8:22 pm

Your table boxes look amazing! Best of luck with your new garden. =)

**Theresa** 5/7/2011, 9:24 am

They look really great! You have transformed the entire area into a great place to sit, relax and GROW! What are you planning on planting?

Jeffrey 5/10/2011, 8:06 pm

I like your design, I would like to make something similar. I would like to know more about drainage holes. I am also wondering if I can use some kind of synthetic wood so the table will last longer, or isn't that a problem?

Thanks,

Jeff

quiltbea 5/10/2011, 8:27 pm

They're sure lookin' good.
Good luck with your garden this season.

NHGardener 5/10/2011, 8:39 pm

What a great solution to gardening in a patio area! Those look fantastic. My elderly mother lives in south Florida, and looking at your table tops, they would be perfect for her tiny yard. Thanks for the visual!

**jamesindetroit** 5/11/2011, 12:49 pm

Theresa wrote:They look really great! You have transformed the entire area into a great place to sit, relax and GROW! What are you planning on planting?

Thanks for the compliments. I put in some long hours...and some past the "quiet time" of the HOA...lol.

I'm growing Watermelon, Canteloupe, Cauliflower, Carrots, Radishes, Beets, Parsnips, Collards, 3 Kinds of Lettuce, 4 tomatoe plants, Marigolds, Nurstatiums, Cucumbers, pole beans, bush peas, 3 kinds of peppers...and numerous flowers and herbs scattered about the property..

**jamesindetroit** 5/11/2011, 12:51 pm

Jeffrey wrote:I like your design, I would like to make something similar. I would like to know more about drainage holes. I am also wondering if I can use some kind of synthetic wood so the table will last longer, or isn't that a problem?

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff, I just used 3/4 sheating from the big box store..I'm hoping to get 1-2 years out of it...No special wood. I don't expect to get too much out of it, as the entire box is untreated pine, so when they go, they go..

**Furbalsmom** 5/11/2011, 1:28 pm

Jeffrey, Mel's Book regarding drainage holes and the experience of several of our gardeners is to place 1/4 inch holes in every square foot, along with one 1/4 inch hole in each of the four corners. Hope this helps

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3 Tabletops...now to measure the sun

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Re: 3 Tabletops...now to measure the sun

Can you give more details about drainage holes

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Re: 3 Tabletops...now to measure the sun

Re: 3 Tabletops...now to measure the sun

Re: 3 Tabletops...now to measure the sun

Re: 3 Tabletops...now to measure the sun

Re: 3 Tabletops...now to measure the sun


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