build a raised garden bed

I thought raised beds would side-step the issue of what’s in our neighborhood soil. I felt so much better thinking my plants were grown in organic materials of my own compilation. I forgot just one thing: well water. I couldn’t figure out why my soil tests were wonky. Sadly, I’ve probably added back in all of the fertilizers and pesticides my neighbors use by making the mistake of not using a rain barrel.

At least the beds make weeding easy and I minimize the compost needed.

Finally. I put up a temporary fence to section off the dogs. It’s nice to be able to walk in the yard without scouting for recycled doggie treats. Once the temp drops below 90 I’m going to start on the bed.

In our backyard we want to have an area for the three dogs and a poop-free zone for us. We also want to grow our own vegetables and fruit. We are panning on building a two-foot high raised bed that will divide the dogs area from ours. There will be a gate in the middle of this. The attached picture is of the yard now. The beds will be from the back door straight to the fence.

I managed to follow some of this raised garden beds

seemed to do the trick.

I managed to move a gigantic rock—I was trying to get it to the corner of the yard, but about halfway across, it got stuck in a low spot.

I tried everything – pushing, pulling, wedging with a small piece of lumber.. and just could not get it to move.

Maybe I can turn it into a feature....

I snapped up the supplies I need to put the raised bed in place.

When it warms up, I am going to map out the location on the yard, and treat the soil that will be just below the bed.

But right now, it is below freezing…. brrrrr! To cold for digging.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/design/projects/patio_raisedbed.shtml