after a rather grumpy day all around (see the sisters forum for that post :lol: ), we got the beds built.

we used 2 old pieces of yellawood (yes...i know, pressure-treated, but we had to use what we could of what we had on hand $ yk...i'll just make sure not to use that bed for any tuberous plants, just shallow-rooted and bushy things. we had them from when dh got his bike, they were what we bought and used to make his ramp...2x12x8' pieces.

we then bought 2 more 2x12x16' pieces and had one cut into 2 8' sections and one cut into 4 4' sections.

he and the boys built them tonight out back:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/snugglbond/DSC_0011.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/snugglbond/DSC_0014.jpg

i used "found" containers, things i had around the house, for sprouting my veggies. i've got strawberry boxes, egg cartons, plastic (deep) plates and some other things i had laying around. most have sprouted.

they're messy bc it stormed like crazy last night and stirred things up but once i tipped the water out all looks fine. :)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/snugglbond/DSC_0005-2.jpg

this is one bed in...we were uncertain of the terrain being a problem bc it's so sloped. it didn't turn out to be a problem at all since we were able to place both beds so they were pretty level individually (i was concerned about the corners being tippy, i realize they are not level side to side but at least the wood is stable and i don't need to build up the sides underneath to prevent spillage/seepage.)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/snugglbond/DSC_0008-1.jpg

here is a shot of both beds in. sorry for the bad lighting...it was almost 8p when i took this so it's almost dark out here. in this shot i have lined both beds with old newspaper, wet the paper, spread grass clippings (from last year's compost) all over that paper to hold it down and then covered the grass clippings with a layer of composted manure.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/snugglbond/DSC_0024-2.jpg

i'm doing "lasagna" style garden beds, so just lots of layers of various organic matter from the yard, interspersed with layers of topsoil and composted manure. tomorrow the boys and i will collect leaf mold/composted leaves from the yard and make a layer and then add some topsoil and then some more grass, etc...until the beds are full. the top layer will be manure (mostly.)

then i can move my sprouted baby plants to the beds and start working on growing my first veggie garden ever!! :cuc: i'm so excited.


charlie was helping me fill the wheelbarrow with grass clippings when he found a snake! we all went to see...charles gently used the shovel and flipped him away from us so we could finish getting the clippings we needed but here is a pic of him...he was apparently dormant (it's cold here today...upper 50s so i'm sure he was dormant under the clippings.) he was really REALLY grumpy. we're not sure what he is...he was too small and quick to get a really good look-see at his eyes/head to see if he was dangerous or not. i'd say he is about 12-18" long and really thin.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/snugglbond/DSC_0021.jpg

aaak! snake!!!

have fun with your raised beds!

I know you are SO excited! We've garden every year since we moved into this house - 5 years, and I've finally come to the conclusion that we've just got bad dirt! Because I know I'm a good gardener! Last year we added about 4" of horse manure to our existing beds, and that spring crop was great, but now we're already back to teeny plants!

I have wanted raised beds for awhile, but thought it impossible given my husband is NOT into such things. But a few weeks back we built a sandbox in less than an hour, and it gave me new hope!

BTW - did your DH and DS plan to dress alike that day?

BTW - did your DH and DS plan to dress alike that day?

nope :) didn't even notice that! the fronts of the shirts are quite different though.

definitely make some beds! lumber isn't too $$ and then you just add your own *stuff*...totally overrules the horribly georgia clay ;)

Nice Tracey. We have had our raised beds for several years now. I really enjoy them. I'm posting some pics of mine that are producing now.