This is a journal of my vegetable gardens. Skippy was my first dog and he thought the garden was his, even though I did all the work. Now Suzie and Charley follow in his footsteps. We're located near Boston (USDA zone 6A). I have a community plot, a backyard vegetable garden, fruit trees, berry bushes, chickens, and bees. I use sustainable organic methods and do my best to grow all of my family's vegetables myself.
peas planted!
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Wednesday, February 26, 2014
wood for my new raised beds!
We bought a bunch of 2 x 6's for my new raised beds. 15 and 12' lengths for the long sides of the beds. With all this snow, it'll be a while before we can use them, but we're ready.
There are dozens of ways to build beds n secure the corners. I've had good luck with just a real simple butt joint n long deck screws.
My first couple of beds, I used more elaborate 4x4 corner supports on some and 2x2 corner supports on others n metal brackets on others. All that stuff works just fine, but so does the simplest butt joint n looong screw method.
And over the years, I've even started adding a 2nd layer of boards to make my beds deeper. Most of the time, i use scrap 2x4s for that.
One more tip. Those long, ratchet straps used to tie down cargo are handy for holding all your boards in place while you secure the corners (even the straightest boards have some slight warping). Put your boards in place, wrap the hole box with those strap n start cinching the ratchet. Then screw the corners together n start gardening.
In the past, my husband has build the beds by screwing into a 1 ft long 2x2 stake set in the inside of each corner. He builds the beds upside down, then we flip them, set in place, and pound the 1 ft corner stakes into the ground. He also adds a few more 1x2 stakes along the edges of long beds. We pound in, then add screws. Next, fill the bed.
As you said, I've seen many ways to secure corners. I took pictures at the community garden last summer. I'll try to dig them out and post them.
I suppose with 6 inch high raised beds, I may not need to worry about then moving around like I did with my 4 inch ones, so stakes may not be needed. A simple butt joint sounds good.
I used the same size wood for my beds. I used a right angle metal bracket and screwed them together on the inside. They stay together very well, but I have also paved around them. It makes the vegetable garden very neat and easy to maintain. Here in Australia you can pick up free pavers on gumtree from people who are changing from kind of old fashioned half brick pavers into the current square pavers fashion. Maybe craigslist would have the same stuff in America? No more walking through muck to tend the beds! Also, 6 inch beds are plenty tall enough for carrots if you are worried about the depth. Mine are on gravel, and still I get nice size carrots out!
You probably don't remember us but we remember you, Skippy! Maggie is at Rainbow Bridge and Molly is my new AireSissy. You are looking terrific! We were checking the DWB calendar and saw that you had a birthday coming up and that's how we got here. Happy Birthday in advance, Skippy!
We bought a bunch of 2 x 6's for my new raised beds. 15 and 12' lengths for the long sides of the beds. With all this snow, it'll be a while before we can use them, but we're ready.
Skippy is so handsome. I really enjoy your blog. You inspire me to keep my garden growing year round.
ReplyDeleteThere are dozens of ways to build beds n secure the corners. I've had good luck with just a real simple butt joint n long deck screws.
ReplyDeleteMy first couple of beds, I used more elaborate 4x4 corner supports on some and 2x2 corner supports on others n metal brackets on others. All that stuff works just fine, but so does the simplest butt joint n looong screw method.
And over the years, I've even started adding a 2nd layer of boards to make my beds deeper. Most of the time, i use scrap 2x4s for that.
One more tip. Those long, ratchet straps used to tie down cargo are handy for holding all your boards in place while you secure the corners (even the straightest boards have some slight warping). Put your boards in place, wrap the hole box with those strap n start cinching the ratchet. Then screw the corners together n start gardening.
In the past, my husband has build the beds by screwing into a 1 ft long 2x2 stake set in the inside of each corner. He builds the beds upside down, then we flip them, set in place, and pound the 1 ft corner stakes into the ground. He also adds a few more 1x2 stakes along the edges of long beds. We pound in, then add screws. Next, fill the bed.
ReplyDeleteAs you said, I've seen many ways to secure corners. I took pictures at the community garden last summer. I'll try to dig them out and post them.
I suppose with 6 inch high raised beds, I may not need to worry about then moving around like I did with my 4 inch ones, so stakes may not be needed. A simple butt joint sounds good.
Thanks!
What type of wood do you use Kathy? I am thinking of using Cedar this year.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy,
ReplyDeleteI used the same size wood for my beds. I used a right angle metal bracket and screwed them together on the inside. They stay together very well, but I have also paved around them. It makes the vegetable garden very neat and easy to maintain. Here in Australia you can pick up free pavers on gumtree from people who are changing from kind of old fashioned half brick pavers into the current square pavers fashion. Maybe craigslist would have the same stuff in America? No more walking through muck to tend the beds! Also, 6 inch beds are plenty tall enough for carrots if you are worried about the depth. Mine are on gravel, and still I get nice size carrots out!
Margaret
You probably don't remember us but we remember you, Skippy! Maggie is at Rainbow Bridge and Molly is my new AireSissy. You are looking terrific! We were checking the DWB calendar and saw that you had a birthday coming up and that's how we got here. Happy Birthday in advance, Skippy!
ReplyDeleteLove ya lots♥
Mitch and Molly