Square Foot _ Raised Bed

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Comment by Joy Williams on June 8, 2009 at 8:37pm

Margaret, good for you. The tomatoes really need depth. They have enormous root structures, that's why I put them in beds that are at least 18 inches deep. Or 15 gallon pots.

Comment by Robin Stevens on June 8, 2009 at 8:21pm

My garden is coming along really well! We've been eating the spinach, and things are growing like crazy... not even sure what to do! My one concern is that the tomato plants have yellowing leaves. What does this mean? Am I overwatering? Underwatering? Not sure. Also, how do I keep the basil flourishing? Last year I grew it in containers and it went to "pod" or whatever the terminology is. I don't want that to happen again! Thank you!

Comment by Pema on May 4, 2009 at 2:26am

Margaret, if by magical you mean 'mystery tour' then you are right. Most suggestions are from people who live in other parts of the country. There is a dearth of folks from Hawaii on this site (and others I've tried) so many suggestions are hit and miss however I'm grateful for the companionship of those who respond on this site.

Comment by Margaret Patterson on May 3, 2009 at 7:41pm

Joy, thank you for your comments: You make a good point regarding 12" beds versus 6" beds. Since I've always in the past ensured my tomatoes were planted in a container that was at least one square cubic foot and always had good results (except last year), perhaps I shouldn't mess with success. We're still constructing our beds--well, hubby is constructing, I'm supervising. I think we'll construct the beds the tomatoes will go in at 12", and leave my perimeter beds at six, since we've already started them. The ultimate plan is to make the beds movable this first few years to learn our yard and then construct more permanent beds in the future. Those will actually be quite high, 12"to 24" with time. I'm not getting younger, and higher beds would be easier for me to access.

Pema,
Gardening in Hawaii must be magical.

Comment by Pema on May 2, 2009 at 11:52am

Gillian, I think your comment about fertilizer may also be part of my problem. The leaves on the peas(sugar snap and chinese snow) turned yellow (I thought it was lack of water) and had hardly any roots. I didn't add extra fertilizer since Mel B says this mix doesn't need anything but compost.
Joy, I bought prepackaged compost mix at the garden store; a couple of different brands to ensure a good mix of additives like bat guano, manure, etc. I'm going to add packaged chicken manure and try re-planting. I'm trying not to be discouraged and remembering it's all an experiment (tho an expensive one so far).

Comment by Joy Williams on May 2, 2009 at 9:55am

on the other hand, peter, if you are doing this over a place where there already WAS a bed, and there's not a lot of grass or stuff there, putting cardboard or newspaper is completely up to you. Since we have so many gophers here, I have to put gopher wire down for any bed I make, so that's always an issue as well.

Comment by Joy Williams on May 2, 2009 at 9:52am

Peter, no, I don't think you will have to reline it every year. I haven't had to. I think once the bed is established, it's pretty much set. The cardboard is for the initial year.

So sorry to hear about your dogwood. I used to live in Md, and those trees are beautiful.

Comment by Peter Gleason on May 2, 2009 at 8:38am

Well, I think I have the opportunity to do it right - so cardboard or newspaper lining it is. This stuff will decompose, won't it? So will it need to be re-lined every year? I'll keep you posted. Thanks.
Margaret - I think spring in Baltimore is the best season - beautiful. But our dogwood tree in the front yard just died this season. Don't know what happened. My neighbor said that dogwoods lifespan is only about 30 years. Glad we don't have snow!

Comment by Ivy B on May 2, 2009 at 6:00am

Whooo-hooo! What great folk here! Peter, as Joy pointed out, you don't have to "do" anything..however, the little more you do now will be easier for you in the future. I splurged on weedblock, stapled to the bottom of my box and just set down, filled, and planted. This year, I am actually putting up a chicken wire fence around the whole thing - between the dog's burying her bones, the rabbits and voles, I decided to limit access to the garden. :-)

Comment by Joy Williams on May 2, 2009 at 1:22am

Pema where did you get your compost?

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