One of my passions is growing our food and my Everlasting flowers. This old gray mare ain't what she use to be. Anymore by the time I get done weeding on my knees, or bent-in-to... from working my gardens... lordy be I feel broke ..lol Oh dear... so that's going to cease. Not gardening, of course. My goal is to continue growing our foods, so.. these containers will be the beginning to my new raised beds.
Please note that plastic containers (especially dark ones) will absorb more heat from sun, especially in summer months. Depending on your location, this will dry out the soil quicker and possibly damage plant roots. They are awesome in winter months or in cooler climates as the trapped heat keeps the plants warmer (than in the ground).
@shuhak I pondered on that. Looked at the galvanized containers and ..hot to the touch and would wear away in time. Yup, I know about black attracts the heat and watering is a must. I have Strawberries and Raspberries growing in the same container....different sizes. I thought I'd spray them white or silver for that matter. I've been gardening most of my life, and need something to help me continue do to so. Thank you for your comment.
@shuhak your comment never left my mind. I research..color of pot and their effect on roots. They ...my containers here are 3/4 filled now, with rotten wood, leaves, manure, sand and ashes from our woodburning. I'll top it off this spring with top soil. Also this spring I'll be spray painting them white. Thank you!!
I had a large raised flower bed where I used to live. The former owner worked for the telephone company, and was able to get free used telephone poles, so he cut them like stakes, about 2 1/2 feet high, and built a "fence" up against the hillside with them, and filled it with dirt. I had a lot of work to do when I moved in...a huge tree root had grown right into the bed. Lots of cutting and rototilling for me...that's how I ended up with arthritis in my collarbone.
@4meAndyou I know all about Arthur! I'm hoping these raised beds will help me work less. No more tilling, hoeing and less likelihood of crawling insects.
{@shadowworker ] sorry to here the work in the garden does this to you . but have consolation you do a good job and keep it in tip top condition so even with the pain to must enjoy doing it and it must give you great satisfaction . keep it up as long as you can
@smiler2012 you know, staying busy helps the pain...and my love for growing things is much more powerful than the pain. It is when I am done and I've been still for a spell and start to move again..that's when the ohhss..and grunts begin. ...lol... Thank you for your nice comment.
@ShadowWorker just use sawmill grade lumber (either have them plane/square it or do yourself) and there are plenty of food-safe wood treatments you can use
I built three 4x8 (16 inch deep) beds for potatoes; filled with potting soil, pine mulch, and manure; get more yield than when I was doing regular garden with 3-4 50ft rows...
@SooperSarah lol.. yup, I get you. I have a 4ft fence, added 2 upper electric lines running my garden spot.. about 6ft tall fence .. Did you know a rabbit can squeeze thru a fence..lol.. hey.. we live in the mountains, in deep woods, near a large creek.. critters everywhere!
@Emoxboy huh.. lol.. too funny. My indoor plants are outdoors on the porch now. .. get you one of those containers and put all your plants in it...that'll work! ✌💖
