Project Raised Garden Bed has begun!

Last year I started an herb garden on the side of the house. It was wonderful! All I had to do was go from my kitchen to the side of the house to snip some herbs to throw into my cooking. I made delicious batches of pesto every week. In order to keep it going, I decided a raised bed would be perfect. A raised bed keeps the edge tidy and would help the plants reach the sunlight better.



I have browsed a few different raised bed tutorials, but this one from The Pioneer Woman was the most useful in my opinion. From her step by step guide, I think it's important to point out a few things that are helpful if you should decide to do this. Pre-drilling pilot holes seem tedious, but well worth the time and effort. Also, driving the stakes into the ground on the inside of the frame BEFORE screwing them to the frame will also save you a lot of trouble later.


The goods. Long galvanized screws, stakes, and 8"x8' pieces of untreated wood (fir).


Basil and I supervised while my husband assembled the first bed. Measure your dimensions before going to the store. Decide what height and lengths you need. Make sure you use untreated wood.


After he assembled it, we lifted it up and I drove the corner stakes and frame into the ground with a hammer. It was surprisingly really difficult. It could be that the ground was still too hard from the cold winter we had. Be careful not to split the wood. Use another scrap piece of wood between the hammer and the frame to keep the frame from splitting.


Then drive the remaining stakes into the ground pushing them up against the frame to keep it sturdy. THEN put screws into them.


Tadaa! In time, the wood will weather and blend into the surroundings. Tomorrow, I will fill it with garden soil, peat moss and compost. On each end, I'm going to lay some rocks down or plant a skinny tree of some kind.

This is where my herbs will go and hopefully I won't have to replant them every year. Now that I have a permanent bed, I am going to let the herbs self sow or just rake in a packet of seeds rather than starting seeds indoors.

Seedling Update

So far, all the tomatoes, the bell and chili peppers have germinated. So has the artichokes. I really don't like the seed starting mix I use. As soon as the seedlings grow their first set of leaves, I'm going to repot them.

Seedlings Day 1

My seeds have sprung the coup! These are the Roma tomatoes. I bought a clamp lamp today to provide more light to the seedlings. It's been so overcast outside that they aren't getting enough natural light. I also raised the temperature of our thermostat.

Seed Sowing 2010

Bring it on! It's that time of year again.

Based on my last spring frost date of 4/25/2010, it's time to start some of my veggie seeds. We're about 8 weeks out. Using several online sources like Victory Garden and Farmer's Almanac, I guesstimate a date because we live near the water and I think that can really alter our immediate outdoor climate. The Cheap Gardener summed it up here in this post. I found different dates so I'm going to give myself a few extra weeks in case we get frost again.

Using this personalized calendar from Skippy's Garden, you can sow your seeds according this schedule. I group certain seeds together and sow them all at the same time give or take a week because it's easier for me to keep track. Certain plants are okay if left crowded in their container for another week or two like tomatoes. (Tomatoes also get transplanted into individual cups or containers 2 more times before they are planted outdoors anyway.) However, certain plants like squash and cucumbers CAN'T wait much later to be placed outside; otherwise, they won't transplant well. If you doubt your frost date, then just wait. Later = warmer = better.


Seeds, tag markers, seed starting mix, clean containers. I bought seed starting mix, but normally I mix my own. I prefer to mix my own because seed starting mix is a rip off because it's just peat moss and I don't feel like it holds up as the plants get larger. Seed starting mix dries out very quickly too.


Last year, I bought a seed starting kit that came with 3 trays with cells in them. I don't like using them because each cell isn't large enough and it's difficult pulling the tender seedlings out of the cell. You don't want to handle the young seedlings very much because they ARE so tender. You want to make the transition as seamless as possible. Instead, I filled a large tray that I cleaned with hot water and detergent with mix. Then I divided my plants with a bamboo stick to keep it neat. I started a lot of seeds, but this year I am going to thin them like crazy because I only want 2-3 of each plant. Normally, it breaks my heart to thin them, but it must be done. (Thinning is when you when you pull the weak looking ones and trash them. so sad. )


Spray the top of the soil with water using a spray bottle. I use room temperature water or warmer because they need to stay warm in order to germinate. Why make it any harder on them? Keep the tray covered with saran wrap if you don't have a plastic clear cover. Used cookie containers from the supermarket work great also! Keep the soil moist all the time. The top shouldn't be dry. Keep it in the bright warm area or use lamps and electric seedling mats to keep the temperature up.


Basil insisted I grow some of this. I have no idea why he wants me to grow this, do you?

Let the games begin!

Companion Planting

For the last few days, I have been sketching and doodling how I would like to set up my garden bed this year. It's been more difficult than I thought. The more I looked into each plant, the more difficult it was for me to decide where each plant would go and who it would with. Also, I had to consider spacing and direction of the sun.

After I drew a preliminary plan, I went back to check that none of the plants would "clash" or better yet, what plants would make good companions. This website has a great breakdown on companion planting.

From north to south:

Bed 1: Radishes > Cucumbers + Dill
Bed 2: Spinach > Eggplant + Chili peppers + Nasturtiums
Bed 3: Dahlias + Chard > Patty pan squash > Winter Kale
Bed 4: Bok choy + Carrots > Sweet peppers + Onions + Chamomile + Petunias + Parsley
Bed 5: Lettuce + Sugar snap peas + Snow peas > Roma, Persimmon, Black Krim, Grape Tomatoes + Basil + Cilantro + Zinnias + Marigolds

What do you think? Any suggestions? What are you doing? What works for you?

Spring. Please kick Winter's butt!

I popped into Lowe's a few days ago for some items for our bathroom when a green shimmer caught my eye. Oh yes! What was it you ask? The staff was setting up the stands for all the seeds, bulbs, pots and seed starting kits! Oh my!

There may be 32" of snow outside, but I can feel spring coming.

I couldn't help but look. I told myself I would only look, but I walked away with a few packets of scallions, chamomile, grape tomatoes, and bok choy.

Antique Tin Signs

from Seed Saver Org.