My New Raised Bed Containers

blackcat54 · February 8, 2014

My new raised bed containers.

**mdvpc** · February 8, 2014

Blackcat

Very nice! What are the dimensions?

luigiwu · February 8, 2014

Did you just go with plain wood instead of treated? Look nice

Worth1 · February 8, 2014

Looks like 10.5 inches tall and about the same inside wide.
A little less than 1 cubic foot.
Which would be about 7 gallons.

It looks nice.

Worth

Zana · February 8, 2014

Good looking containers.

blackcat54 · February 9, 2014

Dimensions: 12.5" square X 10"" high.

Untreated 2x4's from Home Depot.

Greatgardens · February 9, 2014

That is quite interesting! Please do follow up and let us know how they do during the season!
Questions that I would have:
How deep will you make the growing media?
Is drying out an issue?
How do the plants growth, etc. compare to regular in-ground?
-GG

BTW, Really nice way you attached your cages!

kath · February 9, 2014

Nice work! Yes, do keep posting about how they work for you. Will you need to stabilize them so wind won't take down the full-grown plants? I have a few of the same cages that I use in-ground and have to attach them to a stake.

kath

Lindalana · February 9, 2014

Great looking project! Yes, how to stabilize this structure would be on my mind too.

Worth1 · February 9, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindalana

Great looking project! Yes, how to stabilize this structure would be on my mind too.

Drive two 3 foot lengths of 1/2 re-bar one in opposite corners into the ground 2 feet inside the container.

Bend the top of the re-bar in an L shape first.

You can do this by setting the re-bar on the fancy eating table and beating with a hammer.

Worth

Ken4230 · February 9, 2014

I have several somewhat similar raised beds. Most of mine are larger but not quite as nice as yours. I use sections of cattle panels on one side for a trellis.
Burying the bottom board about two inches in the ground has helped to retain water, otherwise water runs out the bottom and forces me to water more often.

At times, i have used a full sheet of OSB under my small planters for several reasons. I center and screw the bottom of the planters to the OSB and then cut out the inside.
My old gardening buddy showed me how to do it and said it "killed five birds with one stone." Even though it's a lot of work the first year, i think he was right.

1. It stabilizes the planters and retains moisture better.
2. It helps keep grass from growing into the planters.
3. It lets him run the mower wheels up on the OSB and reduces weedeating time.
4. It draws earthworms and helps soften the ground in preparation for a full sized bed the next year.

We just bought an acre directly behind us to use as a garden and to store, as my wife says, my junk.

I have already sprayed Roundup and put down several sheets of OSB.

Ken

blackcat54 · February 9, 2014

The whole assembly weighs 17 lbs and when filled with moist growing medium, I think it should be stable. I will have a row of them, so maybe a wood runner connecting all the bases would act as a high wind stabilizer.

JamesL · February 9, 2014

BC,
Looks great!

drew51 · February 12, 2014

Are those cages homemade too? Yes running a runner board would work for sure.

blackcat54 · February 13, 2014

"Are those cages homemade too?"

No.....The cages are from here:

http://www.henryfields.com/product/T...urce=shopzilla

Last year, they were on sale for 75% off!

February 8, 2014	#1
blackcat54 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: NY Posts: 25	My New Raised Bed Containers My new raised bed containers. Last edited by blackcat54; February 8, 2014 at 06:31 PM.

February 8, 2014	#2
mdvpc Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,386	Blackcat Very nice! What are the dimensions? __________________ Michael

February 8, 2014	#5
Zana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southwestern Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,521	Good looking containers. __________________ Zana ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ There is a fine line between genius and crazy. I like to use that line as a jump rope. ~Anonymous (but I totally agree with this! LOL) Forgive and Forget? I'm neither Jesus or nor do I have Alzheimers. ~ Anonymous Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace. -- Dr. Albert Schweitzer

February 8, 2014	#3
luigiwu Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: ny Posts: 1,219	Did you just go with plain wood instead of treated? Look nice

February 8, 2014	#4
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Looks like 10.5 inches tall and about the same inside wide. A little less than 1 cubic foot. Which would be about 7 gallons. It looks nice. Worth

February 9, 2014	#6
blackcat54 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: NY Posts: 25	Dimensions: 12.5" square X 10"" high. Untreated 2x4's from Home Depot.

February 9, 2014	#7
Greatgardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,124	That is quite interesting! Please do follow up and let us know how they do during the season! Questions that I would have: How deep will you make the growing media? Is drying out an issue? How do the plants growth, etc. compare to regular in-ground? -GG BTW, Really nice way you attached your cages!

February 9, 2014	#8
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	Nice work! Yes, do keep posting about how they work for you. Will you need to stabilize them so wind won't take down the full-grown plants? I have a few of the same cages that I use in-ground and have to attach them to a stake. kath

February 9, 2014	#9
Lindalana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 857	Great looking project! Yes, how to stabilize this structure would be on my mind too.

February 9, 2014	#11
Ken4230 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Western Ky Posts: 282	I have several somewhat similar raised beds. Most of mine are larger but not quite as nice as yours. I use sections of cattle panels on one side for a trellis. Burying the bottom board about two inches in the ground has helped to retain water, otherwise water runs out the bottom and forces me to water more often. At times, i have used a full sheet of OSB under my small planters for several reasons. I center and screw the bottom of the planters to the OSB and then cut out the inside. My old gardening buddy showed me how to do it and said it "killed five birds with one stone." Even though it's a lot of work the first year, i think he was right. 1. It stabilizes the planters and retains moisture better. 2. It helps keep grass from growing into the planters. 3. It lets him run the mower wheels up on the OSB and reduces weedeating time. 4. It draws earthworms and helps soften the ground in preparation for a full sized bed the next year. We just bought an acre directly behind us to use as a garden and to store, as my wife says, my junk. I have already sprayed Roundup and put down several sheets of OSB. Ken

February 9, 2014	#13
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	BC, Looks great!

February 12, 2014	#14
drew51 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Sterling Heights, MI Zone 6a/5b Posts: 1,302	Are those cages homemade too? Yes running a runner board would work for sure.

February 13, 2014	#15
blackcat54 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: NY Posts: 25	"Are those cages homemade too?" No.....The cages are from here: http://www.henryfields.com/product/T...urce=shopzilla Last year, they were on sale for 75% off!