Raised beds, tree roots, taking advantage of micro climates

[hendi_alex]

I am in the process of establishing three new raised beds. Raised beds are great in areas that get proper sunlight and where invading tree roots are not a serious problem. But my yard is crowded with large oak trees, with very little if any of the open space outside of the root zone of those large oaks trees. My solution is to construct totally self contained raised beds with liners to prevent contact with the underlying soil and tree roots. Also, these beds will be used primarily for stawberry plants and raspberry plants which do not hold up well to afternoon sun and heat here in zone 8 South Carolina. My solution to that problem is to use the oak trees as an asset. The beds are located on the east side of the tree, just under the edge of the canopy. The beds will get direct sunlight from about 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. during the summer months, and will get indirect light during the hot portion of the day. During the winter, the beds will get direct light or just slightly filtered light for the full daytime hours.

Here are a couple of photos of the initial bed set up. Will add photos as work progresses. Currently have down commercial grade weed barrier and have constructed the boxes from 2 x 10 treated lumber. Each box is 4' x 8', and will have a center divider such that six 4' x 4' planting blocks will be created.

[img]https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3381/3267189453_d9e3113cf7.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/3267189887_6e93a21dbd.jpg[/img]

[hendi_alex]

Step one of constructing these raised beds involved placing down the weed guard and then building three 4 x 8 frames.

Step two: cover weed guard with mulch, line frames with 3.5 mil plastic to keep soil from contacting treated lumber. place a divider in the middle of each 4 x 8 box. Begin filling frames with leaves, compost, synthetic potting soil, and aged manure sawdust mix.

[img]https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3271776585_08718bee1f.jpg[/img]

[petalfuzz]

Good luck with those! I'm going to grow strawberries and raspberries this year too. Are you planning on staking your raspberries? I think I'll let mine free form for the first year to save on expenses.

[hendi_alex]

I wish that my plants would grow vigorously enough to need staking. Though raspberries grow here in zone 8, I'm not sure that they like it very much. Or perhaps they just don't like this hot, dry, sandy hill. Hopefully, they will grow much stronger in this bed that only gets morning sun and is filled with high quality soil. Since this is an experiment in progress, will post results as they unfold.

[PennyG]

Good luck with them, raised beds are great~~!

[2cents]

I wouldn't put too much manure right on top of those raspberries, but a medium amount of side dressing every year is helpful for good berry production.

It is difficult to feed strawberries

[hendi_alex]

Here are a couple of update photos from my new beds. Strawberry plants are growing vigorously. Raspberry plants are growing well. Lots of container plants are living in the surrounding area for ease of watering plus getting afternoon shade.

Looks far different from those first few photos.

[img]https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3484108486_74f4cbcfef.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/3483293639_f7f1cb867d.jpg[/img]

[chefshelle]

Looks awesome! I am so impressed!