My first raised bed :)

[KennyCouch]

Over the last fews days I've been a busy boy. I put together my first above ground beds, one from some scrap wood from a buddy and another from an old drawer. Below are pics from a few days ago when I built the bed and planted 6 sundance squash. Today I added 6 cucumbers to the box then built some A frame trellises. I added to drawer planter but haven't put any dirt in it yet, I know its late but I'm planning on sowing some basil and chices seeds and crossing my fingers. Today I also had to toss 2 heirloom tomato plants and a eggplant, I had them in containers that just weren't draining But on a plus side I planted 6 sweet 100 tomato seedings and a dozen jalapenos (I have a problem, lol never enough jalapenos) all in containers, I'll post more pics of what I did today, tomorrow lol.

My box, I staked in some crepe myrtle branches around the side just incase something broke hopefully it would somewhat hold together until I got home from work/school
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I put down thick newspaper since I just don't have time to pull up the grass... Not worried about drainage because I am on solid clay, any drainage is better than my drainage.
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I mixed 70% topsoil, 20% compost and 10% manure... I also added a bin of dirt that about 2 dozen earthworms have been living in for about a month.
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Finished with happy squash!
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[rainbowgardener]

Unless you are planning to rebuild your boxes every season, I would suggest getting some metal corner braces. Even though your boxes are filled already, you can put the corner braces on the outside. Wood warps a lot when constantly exposed to moisture. The corner braces help hold it together better.

[KennyCouch]

Thanks for the heads up RainbowGardener, I'll try to get some on the next paycheck. The wood on that bed should last awhile so I definately want to do what I can to extend the life of it!

[Rogue11]

Looking at the pictures the wood on the inside looks raw and untreated. I am wondering if other people use their wood like that when making raised beds or if they treat the wood on the inside to protect it somewhat from the moisture of the soil etc.
I haven't worked with raised beds yet but I am considering building some myself so I am trying to figure out how to do it and make them last.

[KennyCouch]

The wood is untreated, but I only use scrap wood and love building stuff. I don't mind if it rots in a year or two, I'll just chip it up and use it for a walkway I'm hoping to put in. Chemicals in general freak me out so I try to use as little of them as possible. On a side not here is the finished trellis, I used some crepe myrtle branches and salvaged chicken wire (who would throw away a perfectly good roll of chicken wire?)

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Squash and Cucumbers!

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My pots! 2 eggplants, 10 bellpeppers, 14 jalapenos, 6 sweet 100 maters

[url=https://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m259/kennycouch/Garden%20Spring%202011/?action=view&current=IMG-20110404-00124.jpg][img]https://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m259/kennycouch/Garden%20Spring%202011/th_IMG-20110404-00124.jpg[/img][/url]
Just got hammock from my girlfriends dad and my wood pile, chopping wood has great theraputic value!

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My porch, where all the work gets done. White bags covers speakers for music