mschrisgo2
9-8-17, 9:00pm
I am in the beginning stages of planning this, and finding myself wanting more information. I need to do a raised bed for a couple of reasons: because the ground here is peat, if it's tilled and amended it's wonderful, but putting plants straight into the ground, um, not so good results- when it gets hot, the peat dries as hard as concrete. Also, I need to protect it from my dogs, who love to dig up and chew and eat plants! I have about 25 or so concrete blocks, so I am going to use those, and add to them, to make a bed that occupies roughly 9 x 9 ft. Beyond that, I'm not sure!
I've looked on Pinterest and youtube, I see "keyhole" designs...the back side will be up against the fence, so I am sort of envisioning a U shape, which would be about 46 sq ft, with the outside edges maybe 3 blocks high, and the inside edge 2 blocks high, with some sort of gate at the front to keep the canines out... But maybe a large L shape would be better, actually 6 sq ft more planted space (52 sq ft) ...
As far as soil, I think I want to get a few bags of "raised bed mix" to mix with the native soil. I have a friend nearby who has offered fresh chicken manure, and then there are copious amounts of fall leaves... but I'm unclear how all this works together.
So I need ideas, i.e. voices of experience, on both design of bed and soil, please.
PS This is northern California, along the Sacramento River, we get very hot summers, mostly 100 degree-plus days, low 60's at night, mild winters, lows in the 40's, highs in the 50-60's, seldom freezes, and only for a few hours at a time.
I've looked on Pinterest and youtube, I see "keyhole" designs...the back side will be up against the fence, so I am sort of envisioning a U shape, which would be about 46 sq ft, with the outside edges maybe 3 blocks high, and the inside edge 2 blocks high, with some sort of gate at the front to keep the canines out... But maybe a large L shape would be better, actually 6 sq ft more planted space (52 sq ft) ...
As far as soil, I think I want to get a few bags of "raised bed mix" to mix with the native soil. I have a friend nearby who has offered fresh chicken manure, and then there are copious amounts of fall leaves... but I'm unclear how all this works together.
So I need ideas, i.e. voices of experience, on both design of bed and soil, please.
PS This is northern California, along the Sacramento River, we get very hot summers, mostly 100 degree-plus days, low 60's at night, mild winters, lows in the 40's, highs in the 50-60's, seldom freezes, and only for a few hours at a time.