Finished Bed topped with garden soil
Introduction by Catherine Haug, April 2015; original photo-essay by Francis Pawnee Buckley. See also Cat’s notes, following the photo-essay.
Thanks to Fran W. who shared this photo essay with me; it was written by her blacksmith friend in Idaho who had asked her to ‘share.’
See also related posting: Gathering Summary: Container and Strawbale Gardening, with Mary and James Laud (April 2013)
Raised bed materials needed:
- 8 each cedar fence boards, 5 ½” wide by 6 feet long
- 4 each standard 2x4s, 16″ long
- screws
- black plastic
- about 2 bales straw
- fertilizer (natural preferred)
- 4 cu. ft. planting/garden soil
Raised Flower Bed
by Francis Pawnee Buckley
I started with 8 cedar fence boards, 6 foot by 5 ½ inches plus 4 [each] 16 inch 2”X 4”*. Then cut 2 of the cedar boards in 2 foot sections. I screw the two ends together [to the 2x4s] then the long boards to the end pieces (picture below).
*Cat’s note: wood materials include:
- 8 each cedar fence boards, 5 ½” wide by 6 feet long
- 4 each standard 2x4s, 16″ long
Wood box
Next I staple [black] plastic sheet to the inside, overlapping all around but leaving a hole in the bottom for drainage* (picture below).
*Cat’s note: the opening also allows valuable worms to enter the bed. They are attracted to the straw.
Box lined with black plastic
Now fill the lined box with straw, about 2 bales, to about 4 inches to top. Water down the straw, lots of water for three days. Then add fertilizer* for the type of plants you will plant (picture below).
* Cat’s note: you may wish to use a natural fertilizer like manure, or just let the worms and microbes make fertilizer out of the straw.
Box filled with straw
Almost done; fill with 4 Cu. Ft. of garden soil, all that is left to do is plant your Flowers or Vegetables (picture below).
Finished Bed topped with garden soil
You can screw a 2″ by 6” or 8” [board] to the top for a seat on the planter (not pictured).
By Pawnee
Cat’s notes:
I highly recommend using an automatic watering system such as drip or soaker lines in the garden. You can connect them to your underground sprinkling system as I have done (but regulate the days and amount to water differently than you would for your lawn); or you can hook them up to a garden hose as needed.
The following source is from the UK, but its great photos and ideas might give you good ideas on how to plan your garden or landscape, and what to shop for locally: Easy Garden Irrigation (2).
References:
- Francis Pawnee Buckley, from Idaho
- Easy Garden Irrigation (UK): easygardenirrigation.co.uk/pages/garden-irrigation-planning-guide-starter