We moved a year ago this month, and after a Spring/Summer spent getting the previous place ready and onto the market it was too late to take on any significant gardening projects at the new place. I have two main projects this year: a) extending the fruit orchard from 10 well established Rainier cherry trees to a larger home use orchard that includes apples, plums, peaches, pears, apricots, and the such, and b) several raised garden beds that are easier to maintain and harvest thru the year.
For raised beds, I find myself continually returning to this design (image below) and so I set out today to get the materials to build the first two beds as test projects where I'll refine the design before building any additional beds.
I'm using 8' long corrugated roofing sheets from Home Depot ($19/ea this afternoon and over 100ea in stock) for the side panels, treated 4x4 posts at the corners and midway on the long sides to provide support for the panels, and 5/8x6 to provide a sitting edge around the top. Corner and middle posts will be cut to 4' lengths and sunk further into the ground for added rigidity, and the 32" wide panels will be set so that they are 30" above ground (2-3" below grade). I'm also going to install a fine metal mesh in the bottom to keep out burrowing critters
Hoping to have the initial bed constructed in the coming week or two, and installed in location shortly after that. I'll dig out the sunken area with the backhoe prior to setting into place on the wire mesh. Fill will be a mix of native soil (we sit on 30' of volcanic silt without even so much as a pea sized pebble), purchased garden soil, and compost. Total fill volume is right about 3 cubic yards.
While working this I'll also be considering how I can best water it. My previous place had 8" high raised beds where I used a soaker hose under black plastic to retain moisture, keep weeds down, and provide warmth for the tomato and pepper plants that prefer a warmer growing condition than what my north of Seattle location offered. Here I won't be concerned with lack of summer warmth, but keeping it properly watered could be a challenge. I have a couple ideas to test this summer that aren't a soaker hose, so that'll be part of what I share updates on as well.
Getting two beds completed before early May will give the what I need for tomatoes and peppers this year. Any beds beyond that are bonus.
For raised beds, I find myself continually returning to this design (image below) and so I set out today to get the materials to build the first two beds as test projects where I'll refine the design before building any additional beds.
I'm using 8' long corrugated roofing sheets from Home Depot ($19/ea this afternoon and over 100ea in stock) for the side panels, treated 4x4 posts at the corners and midway on the long sides to provide support for the panels, and 5/8x6 to provide a sitting edge around the top. Corner and middle posts will be cut to 4' lengths and sunk further into the ground for added rigidity, and the 32" wide panels will be set so that they are 30" above ground (2-3" below grade). I'm also going to install a fine metal mesh in the bottom to keep out burrowing critters
Hoping to have the initial bed constructed in the coming week or two, and installed in location shortly after that. I'll dig out the sunken area with the backhoe prior to setting into place on the wire mesh. Fill will be a mix of native soil (we sit on 30' of volcanic silt without even so much as a pea sized pebble), purchased garden soil, and compost. Total fill volume is right about 3 cubic yards.
While working this I'll also be considering how I can best water it. My previous place had 8" high raised beds where I used a soaker hose under black plastic to retain moisture, keep weeds down, and provide warmth for the tomato and pepper plants that prefer a warmer growing condition than what my north of Seattle location offered. Here I won't be concerned with lack of summer warmth, but keeping it properly watered could be a challenge. I have a couple ideas to test this summer that aren't a soaker hose, so that'll be part of what I share updates on as well.
Getting two beds completed before early May will give the what I need for tomatoes and peppers this year. Any beds beyond that are bonus.