Michelle, I'm still trying to make my "stone retaining wall" look appropriate using the keyboard. (Tried it a few months ago and think I only generated confusion. ;o) So here it is: --O-- -O-O- O-O-O Think of the dashes as nothing, okay . . . I took stones about the same size as you have and laid them in 3 rows directly on the ground. Then placed premixed concrete on top and set 2 rows of stones on top of the mix. Then more concrete and 1 row of stones. The result was a low retaining wall that has held together for 10 years. I'd take a picture but the soil has built up to the point where you can't see much more than that top row of stones . . . The bagged premix seemed more appropriate than mortar since the spaces between the irregular stones were so great. Further, they used pea gravel (not crushed rock) in the premix that I bought. The mix formed a nice firm bond. I've used various types of wood for raised beds - those 3X5 landscape timbers, hardwood salvaged from a cabinet shop, cedar fence boards, etc. What worked best was the hardwood but I wouldn't be able to tell you the species. Cedar was NOT very impressive in terms of its longevity - the landscape timbers worked better. What they were treated with - haven't a clue. Dad did a pretty good job preserving a pine board fence with pentachlorophenol. (I was surprised - pine?!?) We used copper naphthenat for various uses when I worked in the greenhouse. digitS' Here is a link that might be useful: Selecting Preservative Treated Wood

I was thinking that you could use large pots... and then you could see the drainage.. or maybe ... timbers with a plastic liner.. and a drain out of it in a direction you want it to go... could almost do a roll out type of drain in the frame.. I am punting here a bit but since no one had followed up they can now get in here and tell me how wrong I am.. you could do a wisky planter to get some highth. enjoy what you do.. h.

We converted a carport into a small high tunnel. We bought plastic from Menards to cover it. We made roll up sides on it and and a roll up door for the ends. Here are some pictures of the beginning construction. We have grown peas and cucumbers on trellis, tomatoes, egg plant, herbs in it. The carport was given to us so we converted it into a mini greenhouse with a few modifications. We have used it for 4 years now with the same plastic.

Don't think it's "new" been here for years (prior to buying the home). So maybe to be safe, I'll hit up the local HD and line it with thick plastic... THANKS!