No-Tools raised beds :)
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Thinking of buying some raised raised beds
Comments (31)After reading the latest water retention and movement thread with only 15 replies (I get very intimidated when there are over 100 replies), it seems you are right about a watering problem! I'm going to go out tomorrow and dig int the soil and see what it's like down deep in the containers (1 ft). The neighbors put in a few inches of gravel "for drainage" Luckily I have some ruts out in the field that need to be filled! I'll check out Wheeler Zameroni to replace the soils throughout the winter (already have most of my winter crops planted in lower raised beds that are closer to the house) or maybe I'll just save up some each month to get a couple of yards in the spring. Nancy...See MoreCommercial Raised Beds vs. Man Made Raised Beds
Comments (8)i'm in the same boat. i have several beds that have been dug out and refilled with a mix of what was there and a ton of compost. i just add a layer of compost every year, not wanting to dig up any old seeds, and i get better results every year so it must be working. i had much more luck than i thought i would with straw bale gardening for my viney things like squash and pumpkin and other thing like tomatoes and peppers. i did not try flowers but have seen some amazing photos of flowered covered bales, so i know it works with annuals. i was encouraged enough to want to do it again this year, but i am buying my bales the next time the snow melts. it took much longer than i thought to get them ready to plant, longer than directions said, but despite the late start i had decent results. and the best thing is it just breaks down and after a few years you have a nice bed. worth looking into....See MoreNot-so-raised Raised Bed
Comments (1)I have a 4x8 box of 2x8 lumber with a plywood bottom. The lumber is 7.5 inches and not full. So I am growing in 6 inches of Mel's mix. I currently have about 200 tomatoes in various stages....See Moreraised beds vs. non-raised beds
Comments (4)I do. I simply placed my frames on the soil I used for my row garden. In fact the only real amendment I routinely use is leaves. Tho last year I did mix in a half bag of purchased composted manure for my heavy feeders and started using compost tea. Made by simply putting puchased composted manure in knee-high nylons (after I get done wearing them, of course ;-) and soaking in rain water. Seemed to stretch my manure, plus the plants seemed to like it. If (like me) you don't wear knee-highs, simply go to the dollar store, 3 pair for a buck. Oh, also last year, I put a knee-high in a bucket I used in each bed for watering. So far this year I haven't had to water much because of the rain (but then the garden isn't growing either but I don't think I will be using the buckets in the beds. I am thinking about trying the tea 'brewing' method (using MY compost) recommended by DCHall in the soil forum this year. http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/soil/msg0300105612497.html Back to the topic....I do, I just find watering a challenge in SFG beds because of the close spacing. Good Luck, Gumby_CT Here is a link that might be useful: Deep watering for heavy feeders...See More
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7 years agoUser
7 years agoSoil block mix ... roughly 2 parts potting soil (sifted to get the chunks out) and 1 part coir (got it as a brick, watered it to fluff it back up). Mix thoroughly and then wet with about 30% by volume of water (2 parts of mix, one part of water or diluted fertilizer).
The trick is to let it sit 24-48 hours to really hydrate the coir fibers. It should be soggy, like thick oatmeal. And compress the heck out of it when you make the blocks. I lean on it until water comes out of the top of the press, then mash it down into more mix until the blocks are filled.
I use a broad spatula (drywall knife) to separate the blocks a bit, drop a seed into each, mist it and stick the tray into a plastic bag or clear plastic box.
I'm using it and the "minis" to get seedlings to the first true leaf or even just well-sprouted seed leaves. Then I plant them out in the raised bed.
I'm watering just by misting the tops with a laundry sprayer, keeping them in teensy little greenhouses under the lights until they sprout. I use a tiny spatula (I think it was a painter's palette knife) to lift out the ones that are ready to plant out, stick the rest back under the lights.
When January comes, I'll be starting chilis, which will need moving up to the larger soil blocks
User
7 years ago
rayzone7