This is the first year Ive ever thought of doing raised beds for my organic vegetable garden. I don't know why I haven't thought of it before. They are so much easier to maintain!! I have little to no weeds. And If I do weed or plant, I don't have to reach down as far. (Very important when extremely pregnant!) The irrigation is better with no pooling of water.
Mike did an excellent job building them for me with little materials. We spent about $20 and they should last about 5 years.
I love how they add to the landscape as well. Especially pretty no that I have no weeds.
We mulched around the beds and in between, with free mulch we got from the town. We did pay for the topsoil we had delivered, however. I found an ad with a coupon and it was fairly inexpensive, as topsoil goes.
We are growing summer squash, Cherry tomatoes, Snap peas, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Buttercup squash, and Cucumbers. I attempted lettuce from seed, which never took. And my pumpkin seedlings died that I had started indoors. I think I'll skip starting seeds indoors, as mine died when planted or died before planting during the 'hardening' process. The wind took a few victims too. It was not worth it!
Last year I threw pumpkins and gourds in my old garden area at the end of the season.
Even after roto-tilling them in, and mulching on top, they have taken root!! We have what we call Mystery squash growing in between the beds.
Tell me what you think of the garden!
