Build it and They Will Grow

Well, the weekend finally arrived to clear the area and build the raised beds. You will recall, I purchased composite kits months ago on the internet and it was finally time to put them in.
Since the ground in that area was very uneven due to the previous owner’s landscaping attempts, we had to make the ground more level to install the beds and to create the other features.

We began by tilling mulch, sand and peat moss into the clay soil to a depth of 6 inches. Once tilled, I used a bow rake to spread the loose material to the low spots and to reduce the high spots.

Once the material was evenly distributed, we tamped the material to create a more firm base, then added landscape cloth over the whole area to inhibit weeds.

Since the area was prepped, we moved on to building the beds. I am so incredibly thrilled with the product I am putting their link here again http://www.frameitall.com/ . It took about no longer than two hours to place and assemble the raised beds.

The first step was to position them, lay out the materials and determine where to drive the first stake. Using a rubber mallet, we drove the first stake into the ground through the landscape fabric. Once secured, we began building the first joint with unique hingelike brackets that go over the stake and then bracket the panels. These panels are secured with screws and the process continues until we had the first 6 inch bed completed. Since I wanted 12 inch beds, a second kit contains a different kind of stake that fits within the anchor stakes and follows the same process until you have a 4’X8’X12 inch raised bed (you don’t have to remember to order the second kit, if you pick the appropriate sized bed you want; the good folks at frameitall will ensure you have the right products).

Now to fill the beds. I start with some reserved fall leaves that we kept from last year. I place a 2-3 inch layer in the bed to add a bit of brown material to the base of the bed. Next I use a soil mix that is 50% top soil, 30% peat and 20% compost/ manure. I prefer a lighter soil mix that is more friable and easier to work than standard garden soil. This is added to the bed and blended by hand and then cultivated with the bow rake.

I am playing with the positioning of the the structural elements of the garden, but I think this is the position I want the tomato, pepper, cucumber and bean stakes. Do this, before you finalize where you plant so there wont be soil disruption later.

Now the hard part…..waiting. It is not a good idea to plant straight away in a fresh garden bed. First, it is early april here and not quite warm enough to put tender plants in the ground. Secondly, I want to ensure that any weed seeds left in the soil will germinate so I can pluck them out before I add my valuable plants.

My next entry will be in a couple of weeks when I plant some of the seeds for carrots, beets and celery in the soil as well as put in the tubors and bulbs for shallots and potatoes.
Happy gardening!
Ken