We have had a marble crate hanging around here for a couple years and after having a FAIL with it last season, I decided I was going to turn it into a raised bed. I decided our outdoor shower area was in need of a makeover to make it more appealing and make better use of the semi shaded area with a ready made trellis.I dragged the tub out of its corner, pulled the crate to where I wanted it, and set about figuring how I was going to fill in all the gaps between slats of wood,and keep the soil (growing medium) in as I was turning it to the side. While cleaning the area up I dropped a soda can and it fit nicely between the slats of wood. One issue solved! While putzing about I remembered we had the cabinet doors from the trailer we dismantled, low and behold, they fit! I now had a plan. I would line the slats with soda cans from the last visitors we had, then throw in all the old clothes they left scattered about and the front would be sealed by the doors. I would then fill the remainder up with leaves, then top the last couple inches with soil.
It worked a charm except for breaking one door (they are glass) and it took a tremendous amount of leaves that I had to stuff in through the slats on top. It certainly aint the prettiest looking planter but if all grows according to plan, it should provide a nice little bounty of food. I planted beans along the back and side by the shack so they can climb the lattice. Then have a section of lettuce, a row of basil, a row of rapini, a couple cucumbers and two tomato plants. As the leaves and soil settle I will add additional soil/mulch
The pallet garden is next on the project list as planting and weather permit.
Love it. For more ideas in this vein:
ReplyDeleteechonet.org - Click Innovative Options; go to Resources for, click on, Urban Gardening; click on "listen to a narrated self-showing Power Point". Even tho it's 88 min it's broken down into a large number of ideas most of which are about 5 min.
We were there last year for their open house and were astounded at what they grew with so very little. More Americans should use their methods.
We use excess hurricane shutters, about 10" deep, filled with crumbled styrofoam, shredded paper and kitchen waste then topped with about 4" of finished compost in rectangular beds and edging, about 4" deep and mounded to 6" in the center in circles filled with the same proportions of stuff and compost. Our trellises are 1" PVC pipe and string. We have planters made from 18" sections of 18" diameter drainage plastic pipe both rescued from an apartment being built behind us.
Our garden may not be the prettiest but it sure does produce. Living in SW Florida I never plan on freezing any vegetables much less canning any, but my green beans have produced so abundantly I've frozen 5 meals worth - in addition to eating 10 meals worth all from just 16 plants. And I harvest enough salad ingredients for a large salad for 2 every night.
Good gardening to you!
What a great idea...I just saw something like this posted on Facebook and thought it was a good idea. I have plenty of dirt to plant in, but was thinking that a pallet bed might be really ideal for an herb garden...Just to keep it separate from the rest of the hoohah...hmmm...might just try that!
ReplyDelete