Welcome to the growing number of gardeners who find gardening in wooden boxes very rewarding. I'm not sure if the Search engine is working, but there are numerous previous posts on this subject. If not, then just ask away. You probably will be getting many, many suggestions for the best way to treat your particular soil/gardening problems, and the nice folks in these forums can be very helpful. (just ask me how I know). Anyway, my solution was to have 9 cedar boxes to grow veggies in - (I wish they were all the same size now) - but the best dimensions seem to be 3 ft across by 6 to 9 ft. long. This is so one can reach across to pull weeds, plant, etc., and also have room to maneuver wheelbarrows or mowers around. They are without bottoms - but I nailed a piece of galvanized hardware cloth on the bottom to prevent burrowing voles, etc. One nice thing, they can be placed directly over existing grasses - so no need to dig below, any grass will be killed off from lack of sunlight. Soil - whether you grow in boxes or directly in the ground, a good porous soil is necessary. I recommended the box method above, if your soil is clay, hardpan, cement, sand, etc. Plants like compost, manure, peat moss, vermiculite, etc. to keep them happy. Many folks make their own soil - visit the Soil Forum for good ideas there. While not always easy to find material in the beginning, it can save a bundle if you make your own (leaves/grass/shredding). Otherwise, top soil can be had - check your landfills - they sometimes have free mulch, etc. If you intend to work your own soil - then adding compost or composted manure would also be beneficial, also deep digging if possible - to break up the existing hard soil clay/cement/hardpan/etc. Many older gardeners prefer the alternative box gardening to avoid this. You mention keeping watering to a minimum - this would also be ideal for that as well. Tomatoes and peppers love heat to ripen - so their biggest need in summer is to keep them watered. This is only a starter for ideas. But feel free to tune in again, whenever you have specific questions. The folks in these forums are only too happy to pass along their helpful ideas. Just my 2 c's. Bejay

On the Potting Shed, we'll pretend the little silver chair left of the door is a child's chair, because it isn't in scale with the hoe, watering can, etc, but I couldn't resist using it. Did ya notice the tiny license plates on the Shed? Those little Tenn plates came in an old cookie tin containing nails & screws that a neighbor had placed at the curb. It was probably on a key chain at one time, and now made it to WI. One thing missing is a mini bottle .... and I'm talkin' mini. It needs to be even smaller than an insulin bottle. On the hook holding the Shed sign, is a perfect spot to add a colored bottle .... anyone want to add a mini colbalt blue? LOL The shed itself came from a thrift store , it's actually a ceramic piece 3/4 the size of the wooden one. This will give you a better idea of the size difference .... Y'all been using words like "upscale" and "high class" well what else would you expect from someone named tennesseetrash?!? LOL I really didn't mean for it to turn into a jewelry store, I was doing a fairy house, and as I got closer to finishing, I either had to learn to paint real quick, or get busy gluing and just used what was at hand. It just evolved. TMG/Kathy I am hearing you loud and clear about those destructive squirrels! I can just see them munching down on all your great creations, so I'm sure you'll do what's best. I vote that your DH hop out back and build you one of those beautiful greenhouses made from old windows, then place the City inside all that glass :-) .... if he reads this he ain't gonna like me lol, so while he's at it he could do some custom made shelves for the lil houses .... snork .... I appreciate all the positive comments, I was so shy about it, but now I need a new project! I didn't even know what GEII smelled like til this project, DH gave me some cool tools I can handle .... been a lotta fun. ~tenderlee In case ya missed where the parts came from, here's the link for that ..... Here is a link that might be useful: Freecycle haul over 300 trophies

I guess an Oldie Goldie is anything that was once 100 bucks or more...but when I buy them I get them on the Cheap...LOL 20.00 bucks or less...kinda as old is as inflation goes.....Or to put it in daylily terms...older then the last 6 years....LOL Thank you all for the very kind comments..much appreciated...hope you enjoy these...:) Passion District Prairie Blue Eyes Priscilla's DReam Rushing Delight....yup another FFO...it will get better... Spacecoast Bold Buccaneer Night, Rick

I agree with not digging out the soil. Bob cats create an enormous mess. You will have soil to get rid of. If you build a bed that is raised even slightly above ground level, tending it is much easier. If you are talking about crop rotation and companion planting, then might we assume you are intending to grow vegetables and/or herbs? It is important to state this on a forum like this, to get right to the point. You may find the cornucopia forum more usefull if you are growing vegies. Raised beds and a no dig type garden would be far more suitable, bearing in mind that you will need to continuously improve the soil. You might as well make use of the soil that is already there, in which to incorporate all your yummy additives. Cheers, Jan