Square Foot _ Raised Bed

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Comment by Sherrie on March 16, 2009 at 4:06am

This will be a great place to share and support each other, I am just getting started with some gardening for veggies in the southwest florida gulf coast region

Comment by Ann G. on March 5, 2009 at 11:46am

Hey Joy...where is the cinder block bed pic you were going to post??

Comment by Fran Sheldon on March 3, 2009 at 7:38am

Thanks, Joy. The photo was from 2004. I finished (as much as a garden's ever finished) the garden area in 2005, then got married and moved. I couldn't bring myself to sell the place, so I've been renting it out. Fortunately all my tenants have enjoyed gardening, but the current one is interested in vegetables, and I really want to encourage her. She got going last year with some lettuce in the garden beds, but it's SO shady there. The pad area gets sun, which is another reason I'd like to convert it to garden.

Comment by Joy Williams on March 3, 2009 at 7:23am

I'm bound and determined to get a chat for this site btw

Comment by Joy Williams on March 3, 2009 at 7:22am

oh to have a place like that Fran...

that's beautiful

Comment by Fran Sheldon on March 3, 2009 at 7:19am

I've also been thinking of using cinder blocks as well to make a garden on top of a very old, crumbling concrete pad. I hope I can get away with just stacking the blocks without mortar, but I'm a little concerned that the pressure of the soil will push unsecured blocks out of alignment.

My other concern is that gardening that spot will hasten deterioration of the pad. It can maintain a very respectable weed patch, and maple trees try to take root, so it's in pretty bad shape now. Also, the pad extends out from the top of a small hill. It is fully exposed on one end and partially on both sides, so it's a safety issue, even more than aesthetics. The photo below, taken a few years ago, shows the pad in the upper left, behind the maple.

Ann is using two rows for a 16-inch depth. I may be better off using three rows for 24 inches. Of course each extra row makes the structure less stable.

I like the idea of staining the blocks, something I didn't know was an option.

Comment by Joy Williams on March 3, 2009 at 7:04am

It's actually a great idea, Ann... I just think it's funny you thought of it. I have had such odd reactions.

Comment by Joy Williams on March 3, 2009 at 7:02am

lol
no
I just have a bed made from cinderblocks...

It's raining too hard to take a pic though I promise though I will take a video in all it's glory so there :P
oh sheesh what did I commit to?

I'll have to show additional usage of cinderblocks. It is really an iffy thing to me...

Comment by Ann G. on March 3, 2009 at 6:50am

What? Are you the cinder block queen, Joy?

Comment by Joy Williams on March 3, 2009 at 2:22am

Ann.... Lol

no I'm not laughing at you.... I have to take a picture though...

I'll answer you tomorrow though I promise!

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