the raised bed project

16 years ago

I thought I would take a moment to post some pictures of the progress we have made on our raised bed exterior to our new front yard fence.

In the beginning.. each bed is 10 feet long and 2 feet wide.

Now completed beds along the driveway - there are 17 individual beds and most of my newest arrivals are in these beds - many are the single or double fans - I am sure I will have to spread them out in a year or two but it works for today.

{{gwi:702674}}

Now we are rounding the corner.. there are four beds in this front section. I tried to put flowers in there so I would have bloom most of the season between early, mid and late season - with rebloom. Who knows if it will work out as planned.

Another picture that shows my two canine children - Bear and Sable. They are self-appointed supervisiors.

We are now heading up the front of the fence. There will be a total of 12 beds in that section. I can't wait to see everything in about 3 years when my newbies are clumping up nicely.

Just had to share

Shelly

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Comments (17)

tweetypye
16 years ago
Wow Shelly, looks like somebody's been busy...your DH perhaps? They look fantastic, and I can't wait till you post pictures next season when you dl's have increased and are blooming. Question, what kind of soil are you using in them?
Jan
shive
16 years ago
Shelly,
Your new raised beds look so nice! (Wish I had somebody to build me some.) When you want to divide your daylilies, it will be so much easier than digging in that Georgia clay. I was in the process of making two raised beds for my newer daylilies, but the 94-degree heat got to me, and I've taken a break from the project. Are the little yellow flowers in the driveway boxes marigolds? That long stretch of yellow looks really pretty.

Debra
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Though the beds are about 20" high and do have a bit of design to them, the appearance is certainly not 1st and foremost to me. I borrowed the idea from a book and copied it directly. I'm no carpenter, but they weren't that difficult to build. I am making 8 of these beds...the cost was major issue...with cedar the price would have been ~$1300...with green wood it was only $250! Anyhow, I actually LIKE the look of weathered, gray wood...I guess it reminds me of the coast. I am certainly not going for the look of a deck or something polished with these beds. I probably should have done PT lumber, but the green was so cheap and I dislike those little indents on PT and the fake orange color they have. All that probably would have faded anyway. Ah well, again if it can last at least 5 yrs I'll probably be ready for another project anyway! Maybe cedar will have come down a little by then...the guy at the lumber store told me some big mills have just closed in B.C. and that was contributing to cedar's big increase in price relative to green. Hiding the wood with trailing plants is a great idea that I am up for, too. Perhaps after 3yrs I could grow a bunch of Boston Ivy up around them as well?
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lol...why not? it it 14" or so deep.the soil here is pure clay with a limestone shelf so digging is near impossible. So i figured i would just truck in good soil and plant on top of the clay. There is a company that sells garden soil they custom blend for $35 a yard (i used 3.5 yards) the sides are tall to keep the dogs out and allows me to cover it in the spring/winter to create a mini green house. i would have gone even bigger but the wife said NO!! and you know the old saying----"everything is bigger in Texas!!"
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"I'm just in awe of your 'dozer!! I'd show this thread to DH, but it would only ignite his machine envy." says Andie. I had a good belly laugh out of that remark. Machine envy. That's a very descriptive phrase. My husband has that affliction, and to a certain extent, so do I. Our last couple of tractors have had front end loaders on them, and it comes in handy and makes a lot of very frequent jobs easier/possible. Myself, I've always wanted a nice little Bobcat. I've borrowed them to offload freight and move it around in my g'houses and it's small enough I think I could handle it myself. Machine envy. LOL. I also have 'raised bed envy'. I raise a large enough garden, I don't think it would be very practical to have it all done that way, but it would be so wonderful to have a part of it in raised beds, away from where the big tractor needs in. You can cover them with remay, bird netting, insulation blankets, convert them to instant cold frames. My major problem each spring is getting my cold season crops into the garden beds, as I either have to have the tractor in the beds too early for the major crops and keep the rest of the garden tilled/weeded......or wait to get the tractor in for the main crops and have it too warm for the cool weather stuff. Wonderful garden layout, Sheila. You'll have a lot of enjoyment out of that one.
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Before purchasing anything labeled "topsoil" think about what it is you expect it to be. Since you already returned something being sold as "topsoil" since it was 80 percent clay would you expect other sources of "topsoil" to supply anything much different? A good garden soil will have about 92 percent mineral and about 8 percent organic matter which can be compost, leaf mold, shredded leaves, etc. I would not rely on the sellers assurances that what the seller is selling is what I want and have asked for about a 1 cup sample to test myself using this simple test. Soil test for organic matter. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. For example, a good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top
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shellyga
Original Author
16 years ago
Jan.. yes my DH is one half of the project with me being the other half. I am country raised so I can operate a saw, drill and hammer. believe it or not - the hardest part is filling the beds. That dirt gets heavy. In the first picture you can see the endcaps for each bed hanging on the fence. DH cut the boards and I assembled.. made putting the beds together much easier since I worked up about 30 of those and we tackled about 6 or 8 beds each weekend. We did a record 10 on the front side this weekend. Now during the week, I will fill the beds with dirt and bring the refugees from the pot ghetto to put in each bed.
Yes Debra - the yellow is marigolds..I LOVE them DH wanted solid color so yellow it was. BUT I found that now I can't find yellow in trays --so am opting form mixed colors. I need to start my own next spring. I'll beg Roberta for tips!
The soil is a mixture of 4 bags of top soil, peat moss on the bottom and middle layers, 2 bags of garden soil and alfalpha pellets. I also throw in the potting soil from the pots I am transplanting.. I then add mini pine bark on the top to help hold in the moisture.
I do know what you mean about the heat. We work for about 30 minutes then come in for a cool down.
I am planning to dedicate three beds to my Candy series.. I'll transplant all of those this fall when I separate SHERRY and SPECIAL CANDY. Anyone want to donate PRECIOUS CANDY..lol
Shelly
maximus7116
16 years ago
Shelly, your beds look amazing! Just look at all that room for new daylilies (and I bet they're already filled with what you have in your ghetto). The annuals in front of the daylilies is a great idea for constant color.
shellyga
Original Author
16 years ago
LOL.. ask Nancy-- I think my pot ghetto was already divided into different states..lol. I have about 80-100 to get into the ground which includes about 15 large green patio pots that are clumps. I am pleased with progress so far and I can already see new growth on some that were pot bound in the ghetto. Being able to put fall purchases straight into the ground for settling in will be a major plus. I lost about 20 in pots this past winter and I think my percentages of losses will be drastically reduced.
Shelly
deangreen
16 years ago
that looks very awesome, if only I had the room for a nice row of beds. Great job!
did you use treated wood or what kind?
good luck.
numama
16 years ago
LOL....ask Nancy? I'll tell you....Shelly is WONDER WOMAN! My goodness the things that gal can get accomplished simply AMAZE ME!
Shelly.....YOU HAVE MADE GREAT PROGRESS since I saw them in person!
I can vision the beauty to see next year!
If you all ever need inspiration to get things done.....SHELLY IS THE ONE!
Nancy
shellyga
Original Author
16 years ago
deangreen - treated lumber only..
Nancy--you are a hoot.. by next year at Mecca time I will have the electric wire run, antishovel alarms, movement sensored alarms and lights that are set to come on when you are even THINKING about snatching one..lol.. gotta watch these daylily addicts.. they can be sneaky.
I am proud of our progress and since tis only me to tend to everything during the week - I want it to be as user friendly as possible,
Shelly
namso
16 years ago
Shelly, that is a really neat setup! great job.
jkunkel
16 years ago
Looks like you will be surrounded with beauty soon! Ill bet that is going to be really nice next year when everything settles in! Nice Job, can't wait to see pics of full bloom! -Jessica
P.S.- Not sure if your gona need all those fancy security devices with those two big dogs hanging out in there!LOL they are pretty too!
laurelin
16 years ago
That's one amazing project you and your DH have been working on. It will look incredible when those daylilies mature and bloom in waves. This seems a bit inadequate given the scope of your raised beds, but I'll say it anyhow: "GREAT JOB!"

When you started in naming your security measures, I wondered if you had a deer problem, until I did a double-take on the "anti-shovel" alarms, LOL.

Laurel
carlamarie
16 years ago
Wonderful wonderful job! I'm tickled pink looking at them. Just got done picking my chin up off the floor. I might have plenty to donate in the fall if I don't start parting w/ the ones that I'm not thrilled with. I think this year I bought more than I already have planted. To think I had no space at the end of last year. Not sure what I'm gonna do now. I'm in BIG trouble. I'd be happy to have one of those beds, let alone all the new ones you have. ENJOY! You deserve them! You worked really hard and the pictures are proof!!!
numama
16 years ago
Well Shelly, you know I've already got my HIGH TECH guy working on one of my new James Bond toys to avoid all your security measures! Besides I know where the anti-shovel devices stay at night....LOL!
Nancy
shellyga
Original Author
16 years ago
Bear and Sable are sweeties.. but being DANGEROUS ROTWEILLERS - most people just assume they will bite and don't even approach. Not a bad thing with all the alone time I have here. Nancy and Connie got the full treatment when they were here -- Bear thinks he is the size of a dashound and mauls you to death. 140 pounds standing on your foot doesn't always feel good..lol
We don't have alot of problems with deer as there is plenty to eat without dining on my daylilies. Right now though - a @#%^&&* armadillo is in and out of my back 200 foot bed. We are going to try to trap him if I notice any new damamge in the next few weeks-- if that doesn't work - well DH will have to just go hunting!
Carlamarie - you have now entered the world of the truly addicted. My pot ghetto got so out of hand because I ALWAYS buy more than I should -- but does that mean I stop.. no..lol.. lucky for me we have almost 9 acres. Just accept your addiction - don't fight it..
Shelly
mizellie
16 years ago
Boy oh boy, I am coming down there!! Maybe you will run out of room and have to throw some my way.. No kidding, you have worked very hard and deserve the beauty that you will get in return. I can't wait for the pics to start rollin in....Ellie
gonegardening
16 years ago
What great ideas! What a lot of work! It looks marvelous...those are some lucky daylilies! Love your canine help! I hope you'll keep us updated as the daylilies bloom and fill in.

Very fun to see...this could be an HGTV episode!
shellyga
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks everyone - I'm excited to see how these do next year with room to thrive.. I am a photo nut so I'll be keeping everyone up to speed through pictures.. : )
Shelly

the raised bed project

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