I've been daydreaming about the 2011 garden today. At first I decided I want to tear out the entire east garden 4' x 22' raised bed, that runs north and south, and build three east/west beds that would be 4' x 8' long. I wanted to make them from 2" x 12" lumber.
I changed my mind. I've decided I might just do away with the boxed in beds, and go back to raised beds without the lumber. That's how I gardened for many years, and I think I prefer it. The main reason being that during the heat of summer, the edges of the boxes get extremely hot and absolutely cook anything that's planted within six inches of the edges. Secondly, I always liked to use my pathways for trench composting, and just move my beds over a couple of feet each year to take advantage of the enriched soil.
It's possible I'll change my mind again, so don't hold your breaths!
To the winners of my 100,000 views contest: The seeds you won have been mailed out to me, and I expect them to arrive by tomorrow or Tuesday. Have no fear, they will get to you long before planting time!
I have internet woes again (so what's new?). The provider had switched from Hughes Net to Wild Blue, and now he's not happy with them so he's trying to switch back. I have no idea where he is in the process...last time I checked it was still Wild Blue. Whatever it is, I seem to be off more than on. The library wireless is still not working, so I'm usually up the proverbial creek without a paddle when it comes to getting on line.
If you go back to the other style, I can't wait to see it! The main reason I don't here is because it's so darn hard to cultivate our hard clay/sand, but the box edges sure do make the beds hot in VA!
ReplyDeleteErin, I have sandy loam soil under that bed, plus, having the beds run east/west actually would give me 9' long beds as I could run them right up to Pat's fence. I'd have to keep the boxes in the north garden, as they sit on huge old maple tree roots. No way could I dig beds there.
ReplyDeleteLast summer I put in raised beds with lumber, I have such a sloping yard that seemed the best way. I didn't realize the lumber would heat up the soil, very interesting to know.
ReplyDeleteChar, you may not have a problem. I used recycled decking boards for mine, and they had been painted dark brown. That certainly made them absorb heat more than a light color would. I also don't like the arrangement of my beds (originally 4x4 then more boards added to make 2x2 beds in between the 4x4 beds). It's like trying to plant a patchwork quilt! I'm afraid I'm just a wide row, intensive planting type of gal ;-) The east/west layout of beds would also make it easy to add drip irrigation to the existing water line.
ReplyDeleteI MISS YOU, GRANNY!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI just love you.
Peace-Out!
I'M HERE, RIBBIT!
ReplyDeleteI love you, too *smooch*
Isn't it funny how we change our minds? I've been out in my garden lately, and I find myself planning, and re-planning. Oh, I just love the gardening season! Good luck on your decisions!
ReplyDelete~~Lori
Lori, I never stick to my plans. I make perfect plans, then I perfect them even more, then perfect them to perfection....then when it's time to plant, I just do it. Nothing ever follows the plans of perfection ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the heads up about the planks getting the soil hot. I wonder what to do about that. Sounds like you change yer mind like I DO. LOL! Sorry about your online problems.
ReplyDeleteWith wood being so expensive, it would probably be wise to do it the other way. I'm trying a section this year without the wood boxes.....I've got almost pure sand, though, and it's hard to keep it (the sand) in one place. I DO, however, prefer the looks of the garden without boxes! My neighbors tease that it looks like a graveyard. I try and "soften" it up a bit with flowers, but it's still boxes......
ReplyDeleteI haven't had any problems with the plants getting too hot near the edges of the beds. I switched to raised beds when I moved from the farm to here 6 years ago and actually prefer them. We will see how I garden at the plots though!
ReplyDeleteI think that you need to go home so you won't have any more internet problems.....and then you can see your sweet little granddaughter!
I came really close to making my raised beds without sides. But it is so cold here that it helps to heat things up. And we get torrential rains and I was afraid of my soil washing away. So I stuck with the boxed in beds that will keep the soil where it belongs.
ReplyDeleteIf I'd to do it over again, I'd probably forgo my wood framed raised beds as well or at least lay them out in a more efficient pattern. I haven't laid down any drip irrigation for this precise reason. Sometimes I wish I had a HUGE backyard so I can have traditional long straight rows.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're having so much internet troubles!! Perhaps you'll sell the place there soon and be able to head to the other home (lol) and you won't have to worry about it anymore!
ReplyDeleteI'm like that with plans too! I do love my planning..lol Do you have any old pics of the 'old style' garden beds? I had no idea the heat of the wood would affect the plants.. makes sense tho. Hmmm I may have to re-think my own new bed strategy. Here it gets incredibly hot and humid and where everything is going to go in the front yard is PURE sun. hmmm..
We have SNOW here! It's so weird!! :)
Hugs!
Wendy / sassyb
Toodie, Robin & Wendy, I'm quite sure the heat problem is due to the north/south layout on the bed. The long side, 22', is exposed to the hot sun from the west for long periods of time. I have the same problem in the strawberry bed, the plants burn along the west side of it, but that one must stay as it is...for now, anyway.
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Sue, since I like to change things up once in a while, I find the boxes too restrictive. Without boxes, I can plant in any shape or direction I wish. I also have sandy soil, but the addition of compost has made it ideal for wide raised beds.
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Daphne, when I had unboxed beds, I used impulse sprinklers, watering overhead, and never had a problem with the beds losing any soil. I just formed flat top planting beds and tamped the sides at an angle with a rake. You do lose about 6" of planting space around the sides.
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Thomas, that was one of my main reasons for changing. My underground irrigation line runs n/s, and it would be very easy to tap into it to run drip tubing to the beds. I'm bored...I need a big project ;-)
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Wendy, I have nothing else to do today...I'll blog about the old gardens, just for you :-)