Tony I used this method you mentioned when I put in the bananas! Layered cardboard beer cases, newspaper, laid compost and soil bags down, slit em and punched holes in the bottom. This was around the naners after I dug them new holes. Seemed to work ok so far. I then dumped a whole bag of pine bark on top. Looks to me like you are sprouting a dog there! What variety??

That mutt come from a cutting of dog pooh! Probably a volunteer.

Darn, BEER CASES. I knew I was missing something, thanks.

If nothing else, it IS a start and I will deal with whatever it pukes my way.

BTW, that pooch is Ms BuppyDog. Not a typo.

Supposedly part sharpei and hound.

Beer cases, eh? Bet they were Coors lite!

Beer cases? I thought the outer coating with the colors might contain chemicals that I read somewhere is not good. Maybe that was just for vegetables?

Hahaha! It looks like a pretty little cemetery! I love it! Great idea!

love_the_yard,

Funny you say that, thats the first thing I said when I stood back and looked at it. All it needs is a headstone.

Oh Crap, lakeron, I was worried about using the beer casings because of the dye. I did put the colored side down.Did I make a mistake?? Since the 12/18/24 packs beer comes in is recyclable I thought it was safe to use. I did remove and drink all the beers first. Does that help?
Tony, that is a most handsome MsBuppyDog, she looks so loveable-must be if she lives with you! lol lol lol

Hey Tony!

Looks Great! I saw something like this a while back on the tomato forum (or some tomato forum). Someone did just what you did but with tomato plants and said since every season you were using fresh soil it eliminated the nematode problem and they had bumper crops of tomatoes! And at the end of the season, you turn it all under or compost it! Maybe this fall I'll give it a shot too!

cindeea - I don't know but I thought you did since I gather them up regularly. Of course you drank the beer. How else can you collect the cans, take them to the scrap yard, and get $$ to buy more beer? It would really be good if you could toast the cartons and come out with chips.

my DH better not see this method, I still have him dig and chop and work hard on the creation of flowerbeds ;-)

I experimented with this grow-bag garden style last year (6 bags worth) with my tomato plants. It was greatly inferior compared to dumping the soil out and planting in a bed. I did the same as you, put drainage holes in the bottom, etc. The results convinced me not to do it again.
My neighbors down the street were given a Christmas present of a fancier type of the same thing (prepackaged) and it failed for them too and she is a gardener with 60 years experience.
Good luck with yours, maybe it just doesn't work with tomatoes.(although I read above that someone used it for theirs). Lasagna beds are still my choice of growing although I will also do some tomatoes in pots to avoid nematodes because I cannot dig post-hole Charlie's.

Tony - It's an interesting way to plant, but try not to do it in such perfectly straight rows. Make it look natural, curve the bags, makes some bulges in the line, etc.

naplesgardener,

I heard some folks have trouble with the bags as well. I chalked the problems up to the type of soil and if it contained fertilizer or not.

Just because its bagged soil doesnt guarantee its good or nematode free. It could be like some bottled water coming out of some dingy faucet in some garage and being sold for top dollar. My guesses also include that there arent enough holes in the plastic to allow ample air flow for the roots and to prevent molds. Also, the temperature in the bag may be wayyyy hotter than we expect. It may even be composting in the bag while we are trying to grow things.

Ricky, DUH! you have provided the missing link to my lack of a cool yard! I will put my T-square and laser level back in the garage! Now, need to think of a way outta this square I created. Maybe add bags to the side instead of moving them away. An on going work in progress............

Also, my hope is that the roots of the plants DO grow out the bottom of the plastic bags and into the soil. I did not go this route to avoid poor soil, I did it so that I wouldnt have to dig out the grass and to give the added height look of a raised bed.

The plastic usually seems to deteriorate kinda quickly so the roots should be able to escape when they get big enough( if they thrive that is).

Now need to add the curves.

Toni - The mulch will eventually sink, probably by half. But I'm with you 100% about digging holes. I've stopped digging holes in my garden. I just move the mulch out of the way, scrape the soil down an inch, put the new plant where I've scraped, and build up with topsoil to the new plant. Then I remulch and voila, new raised bed!

If gardening is work, then don't do it. But if it's fun, enjoy it as often as possible.