tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138859409301308693.post1462605753995047984..comments2023-08-24T05:05:27.274-04:00Comments on Blueberry Hills Homestead: Raised BedsJordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05712893867575841432noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138859409301308693.post-17989226334659986822009-07-09T08:41:45.444-04:002009-07-09T08:41:45.444-04:00I love the long-winded discourse. It helps a bunch...I love the long-winded discourse. It helps a bunch - so wine is good! Thanks!Jordanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05712893867575841432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138859409301308693.post-34530074137836601902009-07-08T21:39:51.023-04:002009-07-08T21:39:51.023-04:00Okay, I'm on my second glass of wine and feeli...Okay, I'm on my second glass of wine and feeling pretty wound down from the day so I'm anxious to share our experience with raised beds with you.<br /><br />A great way to go. When we moved to this piece of property, the area where we now have our raised beds (and field garden) was a graveled parking lot. No, not much good soil there. <br /><br />We started with 4' x 8' raised beds, 12" high. Now I wish we had some that were longer, but NOT wider. Harvesting isn't bad but planting those little seeds . . . well, it's hard for me to reach in to the middle of the 4' span. So I don't think there would be anything wrong with 4' x 12' beds. And 12" high (12" of soil) should be ample except for something that has a deep root system . . . like asparagus. There you're gonna have to figure out something else. (I think I've read established asparagus roots can go down 6'.)<br /><br />We put our frames together with glue and nails and then reinforced with inexpensive angle brackets. It hasn't been the corners that give out but rather the eventual decay of the boards themselves. (We didn't use treated lumber.)<br /><br />Why are you considering 4' x 4' beds? 4' x 8' is the smallest I would go.<br /><br />Whoops, back track there a minute, Mama Pea. I know why you should consider some 4' x 4' beds. I can't man-handle our cold frame tops for our 4' x 8' beds myself. It takes two people to put them on and take them off. They're just too unwieldy. You're right on. Make some 4' x 4' beds for the ones you're going to put a cold frame on.<br /><br />Hope this helps a little bit. Do what seems right for you . . . and remember I wrote this on two glasses of wine.Mama Peahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03649357184167949247noreply@blogger.com