Nancy: I saw your post in the container forum, but didn't comment because I thought your main question was about root veggies, which I don't grow. I would jump at the chance to own those raised beds if I could afford the price. They sound wonderful. I think you could probably grow any annual vegetable you want if the potting mix was fast draining and the beds have adequate drainage. It will be more like a container than the average raised bed, which wicks to the ground. You will probably want to avoid using real soil or more than 10-15 percent amendments like composted manure. I would choose a mix that is primarily made up of pine or fir bark. This post was edited by Ohiofem on Tue, Feb 26, 13 at 9:22

I've had my Harbor Freight GREENHOUSE since this past September. With my husband off to Iraq since last July, (due back at the end of June), this greenhouse has been my passion! Being a military spouse of 19 years, this has been my first opportunity to own and run my own reasonably sized greenhouse. With the 9 moves under our belt already, the Harbor Freight Greenhouse has been the perfect solution to an avid military spouse gardener! I also happen to love this Greenhouse so much, that I've taken every precaution so that it may survive any weather that can be thrown at it. I've got heat, a fan, an automatic ceiling vent opener, lower venting for good air circulation, additional support for any snow accumulation, a built in misting system and so on. I have been thrilled with the results of my endless flats of perennials and annuals that have come from the use of this Harbor Freight Greenhouse! And once my husband returns, I will use this Greenhouse even more, especially during the evenings when I usually retire to the house so that my children are supervised! Mylu, unless you speak from experience, this is indeed a greenhouse. And yes, I've been inside during violent storms with no fears! Knowing that another impending move will be upon this military family, this Harbor Freight Greenhouse has given me an opportunity that is usually unavailable to those of us who do not own homes, but continue to move again and again while our spouses serve. I wish I had the opportunity to live in one place and own a home and perhaps someday have a larger greenhouse to play in. But until then, I'll relish and enjoy my 6 foot by 8 foot Harbor Freight GREENHOUSE and be thankful for my small opportunity to garden like I dream! Dawn DAWN I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for you and your husbands sacrifices that you make to keep are country safe and make it possible for people like NYLU to have the freedom to say what me whats even if he does make a fool of himself. I'm sure that for your situation the 6x8 HFGH is a perfect gh for you. The best advice that i can think of is what my father told me. NEVER ARGUE WITH A FOOL HE WILL SOON BRING YOU DOWN TO HIS LEVEL AND THEN BEAT YOU WITH EXPERIENCE.

tree trunks need air.. if buried.. they will rot and kill the tree ... they can NOT cope with constant moisture ... with me so far ... in contrast.. roots need near constant coolness and moisture .. which we call soil ... once 'established' ... they can take care of all that ... so ... take your blocks... make a 6 to 9 foot circle ... bring in top soil that nearly matches you native soil ... and plant the tree .. so the root/trunk interface is at the level of the second bricks ... we do NOT use potting media or foo foo soils for backfill, especially with trees ... regardless... it will need to be staked for a year.. to get some roots down.. until the soil settles ... if you have clay soil.. advise and i will change the method ... perhaps .... you would be better off.. getting native soil from behind the garage.. and using that.. than bringing in mismatching soil ... if you were wanting to put in a perennial garden.. you would be better off.. stealing the native soil for the tree.. and bringing in a good soil for that bed ... its getting a bit late for planting trees.. unless you have a warranty .... where are you ... ken

As to peas on a trellis, the peas will weave themselves through the terrace. So once you get a foot or so off the ground, both sides are being used, no matter where they're coming out of the ground. But sure. Plant on both sides if you want. Mulch has two benefits. One, it prevents soil splashing, but the other is that is reduces watering needs, which might splash that soil in the first place. And yes, I agree about not underplanting. That's not mulch, because it's using water and nutrients. I would stay away from large-chunk/chipped bark mulch, however. It doesn't degrade in a timely way, and by the end of the season, you probably won't be able to dig it in. Use mulch that is well shredded that will compose in situ in the course of the season.