Let’s talk gardening because there’s been more of that going on around here than anything else. I’d like a record of what Evie and I did this spring, so bear with me.
We started with two 5 x 20 foot plots in the community garden at a former college soccer field. We decided to put two raised beds on one plot for veggies and flowers that might need a little critter- and sun-protection this summer. The other area will have a stone “patio”, still under construction, surrounded by lavender and mint. There’s room for squash, watermelons, onions, gooseberries and flowers in this plot as well. This year. Next year we might plant something different.
The original tilling done by the college grounds crew broke up the sod, but left big chunks of grass and weeds. After removing all the clods the soil level in the plots was below the level of the walkways, making drainage a major problem. Water draining into your garden is the kiss of death for plants. Tadpoles like it though.
Not our bed, but useful for what-not-to-do illustration: they made mounds (good), but planted in the valleys (bad)
We knew we had to raise the planting level above the path level. We had ordered organic compost but hadn’t planned on having to address drainage issues. We were afraid we would run out of compost before we got the raised beds planted.
In the end, we bought four bales of straw and spread them over the two plots. Worked like a charm. The straw immediately added at least 6 inches height to the plots. As it decomposes over the next year, it will add to the garden’s organic material. The downside: cleaning the straw out of the van afterward; a month later, after a thorough cleaning, we’re still picking up bits of it.
Once we had our first plot elevated, we got the raised beds in place and the wheelbarrow brigade going, carting compost.
Before filling with compost
It’s hard to tell but we attached 1/2 inch hardware cloth to the bottom of the beds for rodent control. We can’t grow long root veggies like big carrots or turnips, but we have plenty of room for those in the second plot. And the chances of Jack eating a turnip are pretty slim anyway.
Beds in place and filled, ready for planting
Second plot with straw and compost, ready for planting
The second area got a heavy layer of compost on top of the straw. Now that the straw has started decomposing, the planting level is more like 3 inches above the grass walkways. Still enough to make our beds drain well for most veggies.
We have garden beds ready for green things!
This all sounds simple, but it took a lot of energy to figure out and execute. We had problems getting delivery on the compost. Then they dumped it downhill from the garden so we had to cart the loads uphill (both ways, in the snow, without dinner, boo hoo).
The weather didn’t cooperate. It turned warm early so planting fever was at high pitch. The college was late in getting water lines installed so we hauled water. Then it turned cold and the rains wouldn’t quit so the gardens were waterlogged. Our raised beds did fine, but every place you walked, you either stepped in clay mud or splashed in two inches of water.
Many of the other gardeners have had to plant a second or third time, but they’re still struggling with drainage issues. Because we spent more money and effort on our plots initially, we should be fine going forward but I feel sorry for the first timers who are trying to figure things out as they go.
Well done, you! I predict that next year there will be an explosion of raised beds, as everyone sees how well yours work.
I was enthralled until I got to the line “had to cart uphill both ways, in the snow” . Cracked me up. It is such hard work, but your beds are beautiful and your bounty will be great!!! Keep us posted.
Yes, Very Well Done! I thought it interesting, they made the mounds but didn’t plant in the mounds? live and learn, hopefully, eh?
Your plots are gorgeous!
I appreciate you going to all this work so the Stranskys can learn from your mistakes before we garden in the fall! My challenge will to keep fruit or vegetables in the garden and not more wildflowers
Kmkat beat me to my comment – I, too, think there will be raised beds everywhere by next year…
We’ve had such wet rainy summers up here lately that we’ve been gardening in mounded beds, just for the drainage.
Uphill both ways in the snow with no shoes and using a teaspoon to carry the compost. ;^)
It’s fabulous! You should be so proud of yourself.
Wonderful, wonderful! And yes, what KmKat and Gayle said! Everyone else will be green with envy and next year everyone will use raised beds — hopefully they won’t raid your garden!
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