Ready to plant - beds are done!

[Duh_Vinci]

Well, the garden bug bit me too!

Late last year I moved from gated/small lot community, bought 2.5 acre lot in the country and built a little house away from just about everything. So now that I have the space, the least I can do is try to grow some simple veggies.

So mid week I started building few raised beds (our soil is 100% VA grade red clay). All non-treated wood. For the soil mix, I've used compost, peat moss, vermiculate and perlite.

Beds - well, SFG design appealed, so I'm made my own little version of "not exactly Square Foot Garden". I did use the grid, I think it is a great way to keep the garden organized. Some sections I kept at 1'x1', but there are sections where the spaces are larger (for example for tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplants).

Few months ago, for the first time I've tried to grow some seed, and while babyseating them was a part of every day routine, I enjoyed watching them sprout (just few pics of new growth to share):

[img]https://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i230/duhvinci/2009_garden/2009_oregano.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i230/duhvinci/2009_garden/2009_supersweet_100.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i230/duhvinci/2009_garden/2009_red_cucumber_1.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i230/duhvinci/2009_garden/2009_purple_basil.jpg[/img]

Now they look like actual plants (have not resized any pics yet), will start planting tomorrow into these:

[img]https://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i230/duhvinci/2009_garden/boxes_1.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i230/duhvinci/2009_garden/boxes_3.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i230/duhvinci/2009_garden/boxes_2.jpg[/img]

Thank you all for having this great forum - terrific amount of information from friendly folks and very inspiring!

Regards,
D

So here are the "fruits of my labor":

[BrianSkilton]

Very very nice!! Currently I have made my strawberry bed but I still need to build my 6 x 16 beds. Again nice job and I look forward to see your veg in those!

[rainbowgardener]

beautiful pictures, very nice work on the beds!

[Duh_Vinci]

Thank you both for the comments, appreciated indeed!

First seeds went into the ground today - 2 varieties of red radish, one white "icicle" and kohlrabi. All transplants will have to wait till next week. Rabbits here are plenty, neighbor across the road planted 5 tomato plants, next morning all 5 are eaten by rabbits. So I need to build a small fence first.

Checked the soil, 1"-2" below the surface, feels nice and moist, and it has not rained since Tuesday, maybe there is something to this perlite and vermiculite formula in Mel's mix

Can't wait to see what sprouts!

Regards,
D

[TZ -OH6]

You say you are in the country. Are there any farms in the area. I ask this because if you have land available, and there is not a significant problem with the soil (I.e. farming is happening around you) I think raised beds are an inefficient use of resources. The time and money could go into improving a much larger area of native soil.

[Duh_Vinci]

Sure, there are plenty of farms around. However, I unfortunately can not devote enough time to a full blown garden, and while this thought of having one crossed my mind, the equipment required to do this right is indeed out of my budget.

So for now - low maintenance and low starting cost will get me off to my first garden. Later on - time will show...

Regards,
D

[elevenplants]

Raised beds are the way to go for the home gardener, imho. They actually maximize space, time required in maintenance, and most of all, the good soil and amendments that go into the making will MINIMIZE diseases later. Good job, D! Excellent looking beds and pictures. Please keep us posted.

Rebecca

[cynthia_h]

Yes, I agree--those raised beds look very nice! Whaddya plan to grow in them? Or have you decided yet?

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

[BrianSkilton]

Hope all goes well with your raised beds...I can' wait to build my second 16X6 bed this weekend.