Backyard Garden Boxes on the Cheap

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http://www.instructables.com/id/Backyard-Garden-Boxes-On-the-Cheap/

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Backyard Garden Boxes - On the Cheap!by M.Hawseon March 17, 2014

Table of Contents

Backyard Garden Boxes - On the Cheap! ............................................................................................

Intro: Backyard Garden Boxes - On the Cheap! ....................................................................................

Step 1: How Many Boxes Do We Need? Many other Q's... ............................................................................

Step 2: Build the Boxes... ....................................................................................................

Step 3: Line with Plastic... ....................................................................................................

Step 4: Fill with Proper Dirt & Fertilizer Layers/Mixture... .............................................................................

Step 5: Plant the Plants... (& Try to Keep Them Alive!) ...............................................................................

Related Instructables ........................................................................................................ 1

Advertisements ............................................................................................................... 1

Comments ................................................................................................................ 1
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Author:M.Hawse

I'm a Nerd and a garage inventor. My dad used to say, "There he goes...off to 'The Lair' to invent something. Try not to burn the house down, OK?" I am aGraphic Designer & Illustrator from the South. I love art and electronics. When I can, I try to combine the two. I enjoy creating stipple art, ink & line drawingspaintings and colored pencil renderings. I also enjoy conjuring up some 2D & 3D computer graphics, humongous mega-fractals & vector illustrations. As fomy career, I have retired while young from the I.T. industry due to health reasons. My family enjoys the time we now get to spend together and are using it publish our own articles and to also do fun projects from this site. |--> My current in-house product design goals are: [1.] Develop a communication supportdevice for people with Multiple Sclerosis [2.] Develop an emergency SOS signalling device for hikers, climbers, boaters and those with health and physicalchallenges. | My family & I will be participating often and look forward to competing for a laser cutting system and other tools as this will help with these &many other projects that we have going on in our home art studio. | The MusicMan profile photo is an ink stipple I made using only a Pilot V7 ink pen andcold-press Strathmore Artist paper.

Intro: Backyard Garden Boxes - On the Cheap!My family decided to create some backyard, above-ground, garden boxes since the soil where we live is rock-hard and not easily manageable. We wantedkeep expenses on this project low so we chose materials and methods accordingly.

There are many ways to go about this project--some more effective and some more expensive than others. I am sharing our build experience to illustrate hwe handled this project based on our needs and resources.I'm not trying to preach on how to professionally prep soil or grow plants. Keep in mind that these boxare NOT fancy like the other beautiful designs that you have seen in other articles on this site. Our 'ible is not intended to improve upon the other ideas either. Pleasekeep the spirit of innovation alive by modifying anything necessary on your build to meet your own needs.

? How long will this project take to complete? The construction part of this project took just over 2 hoursfor my small family of 3. We enjoyed spending timetogether, working on a good yard project and digging in the dirt & poo. My son later told his friends that his dad and mom forced him into shoveling chicken poo for awhole evening.

THE GRAND OVERVIEW OF OUR RAISED-BED GARDEN BUILD:

OUR MASTER GOAL is to make some type of sturdy four-sided box (square or rectangle) in which to place a liner and nutritious dirt for our little gardenneeds. The boxes that we will make do not need to be too tall or you will have difficulty managing them. Ours ended up being taller than they really needed to be, but

wanted to keep the neighborhood animals from digging around the edges of the plants. It worked nicely.

This project requires that plastic sheeting be placed in the boxes as a liner and container for our dirt mixture. This keeps weeds from growing up out of theground into the boxes and it also helps retain sufficient moisture in the soil bed. The plastic liner can also help prevent environmental chemicals, toxins and nasty crittfrom finding their way up into the bed as well. Plastic also helps to make cleanup a breeze after the growing season is over. Later on in the article you will see that weintroduce some strategic holes into the plastic to allow proper drainage. Some beds may require more holes than others--it all varies with your geographical location,elevation, weather, soil mixture and the types of plants you will use.

Obviously, some kind of dirt is needed.You will need to choose your own dirt . Do your homework after you decide what plants you want to grow and get only thenecessary dirt and nutrient mixture to grow those plants. If you don't do your homework or if you go overboard, then you're going to be guilty of kil ling plants, wasting tand bleeding money. So, first go scout and buy some plants at the store or nursery; research soil types and finally you can have some fun shoveling dirt and/or poo.

That's all there really is to this build. Let's go on with it....
http://member/M.Hawse/http://member/M.Hawse/


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Step 1:How Many Boxes Do We Need? Many other Q's...ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR GARDENING ON YOUR OWN:

What do I want to grow and how muchof those plants do I need to make room for?Based on the space & sun requirements, how many boxes do I need to make?How much room is in my yard, porch or sidewalk area?Do I want these garden boxes to stay in one place or will I move them after a few months?Is this going to be permanent?What kind of financial resources do I wish to put into this?Who will be helping me? Who can help me? Who's done this type of thing before that can give me great advice on growing the plants I want to grow?Should I buy materials in bulk f rom a nursery or landscaping business or should I shop from a home improvement store? If I buy from my local nursery, is thereminimum order or delivery charge?

These are all good questions and are worth taking the time to review.

My family wanted to grow 6 to 8 tomato plants, a half dozen melons and squash along with a few cucumbers and a select few other plants.

? After doing all our math and speaking with specialists, we saw that we only needed three boxes, although we went ahead and built five. We sold the twounused garden boxes to offset the costs of the project and to fund our plants!!

.. How did we know?

Here's how to get started in figuring out what you need:

We bought the plants we wanted.1.We then consulted the internet, garden supply shop specialists, and also checked the plastic insert that comes with the plants to determine the type of shade,2.spacing and soil requirements for each group of plants.We just did the math as best we could to determine space and volume of materials. Nursery personnel can help you figure this out in a jiffy if you just can't get 3.straight or need to confirm your efforts.

Once you've done the mental work above, it's time for a trip to the hardware store. Get the following:

Inexpensive 6' or 8' planks used in fencing (non treated wood). For the size I made, expect to buy 6 planks per box. We used two boards stackedhorizontally (parallel) for each long side. Then, we cut the two remaining unused planks in half yielding four smaller, half- length pieces that we then used on theends.Inexpensive 2" x 2"s or 2" x 4"s -- for corner supports and mid-length supports. 5 should do it.Brass 1.5" or 2" wood screws-- for fastening the boxes together. This makes it easier to assemble and disassemble-- all with a power drill.Plastic sheeting -- We used cheap 2-mil plastic drop cloths meant for painting. These aren't something that will last more than 1 season so keep this in mind. you want this to be a more permanent installation, spend more money and get something heavy duty like a tarp.

Let's put it together...

Step 2:Build the Boxes...Let's build these boxes!It's really easy and you don't need a diagram. Let me tell you how to build one. Afterward, just repeat this process to build the others. Just be sure to secure the boardwell since wet soil places a good bit of pressure on the walls of the box once it has been filled and is in use.

For the long sides: Take two planks and lay them down on the sidewalk on top of and perpendicular to three or four short lengths of 2x2 or 2x4. Make sure everythinis square and aligned. The planks should be slid down to one end of the support beams. Screw it all together. Repeat until you have two long side pieces.

For the short sides: Have someone hold the two long sides up as they would be in the final position for installation. Take two short lengths of planking and fasten thewith screws to each end. When you are done you should have something that resembles my photo.

I chose to have the support beams extend upward to allow the use of string and fabric to protect and support my plants as they mature through various phases of theirgrowing cycle.


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Step 3:Line with Plastic...This is the easiest part of the project!

Position the boxes where you want them to be. Be mindful of the plants' requirements and position the boxes so that there will be sufficient shade, sun, and alsocheck that each location is protected from wind and overhanging branches & roof lines. Rain from those overhanging features can devastate plants. Also leave roomaround each box for you to maintain the garden boxes and plants.

Unfold the plastic sheeting and drape it across each box.

Secure the ends of the plastic with staples, roofing nails, spare screws or weigh it down with dirt, stakes or bricks.

Poke a fewholes in the bottom or corner of each liner to enable water to runoff if sufficient build up occurs in each box. Some people drill holes at apredetermined "flood line" in their wooden boxes. We only poked holes in the bottom of the plastic with the garden hand shovels. We didn't do it quite so randomlythough. As I mentioned in the comments section, we did take time to verify that we had proper drainage at this point and that it drained away from the raised beds in thyard. Certain plant types need more moisture in the soil than others, so you'll have to sort this step out for yourself according to your own needs. We've used plastic focouple years now to retain more water due to the climate where we live.

We are now ready to fill this with soil...


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Step 4:Fill with Proper Dirt & Fertilizer Layers/Mixture...For this step, we do these three things:

Create a foundation layer of material on the bottom to allow drainage for excess moisture (usually sand or light weight material)1.We then layer our dirt and nutrient layers alternately (potting soil, garden soil, sand, nutrient mixes..etc.)2.We finally mix the soil layers (not foundation layer) by hand for proper consistency - DO NOT PACK the dirt until you plant your plants in the soil3.

Your dirt choices will vary based on what you are growing. Consult your research to see what type of soil and nutrients you need to use. Do your researchand ask around. I am showing you a sample photo of some of the soil types we used for a few of our plants. We went with some store bought soils that were on sale tmeet the requirements of a few of our particular plants. I also bought and used playground sand (not shown) to give plenty of volume where needed and to allow propedrainage to occur out of the bottom of the boxes.

We also had some chicken poo to use in areas where rich fertilization was needed. A little of this stuff goes a very, very, very long way... and I'm not just talking about strength of the nutrients either--the smell is horrendous. Consider yourselves warned! This stuff is great if you don't get along with your neighbors.

NOTE 1: For the first layer (bottom of the container) we used playground sand in most of our boxes, but not all. This allows proper drainage and retention of moisture. some of our plants, frequent watering was required, but not standing water or overly saturated soil. So for those plants and for their side of the box, we used plenty ofsand on the bottom and also mixed some into the soil we chose for those plants. Your choices may differ from ours greatly.I've seen others use river rock, pebblesthe Styrofoam pellets to give proper growing environment the drainage foundation required for success. That slimy, white particulate that swells with water and slowlyreleases it into the soil over time is great stuff too.

NOTE 2: Most of local community colleges and universities will have agricultural specialists that can offer advice on soils, layering, planting locations, planting schedu

and so.

Next...Plant the plants....


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Step 5:Plant the Plants... (& Try to Keep Them Alive!)At this point, follow the guidelines on the plants' info markers. Consult your research and get the spacing correct. Double check that you are placing them incorrect boxes. To remedy any trouble at this point, my wife and I labelled the boxes ahead of time as to which plants would go in each garden box. We also monitoredyard space with the boxes in position for over a week before we began filling with dirt. This helped to eliminate any miscalculation on our part. That's fine because oncthe boxes are full, they're a bit tough to move!

? Anyhow, once you've completed this step, you should have something similar to the photos shown.

The tall end-posts allow you to brace and string up various supports for your plants when it rains and to hang fabric to protect them should the sun or weather be toovariable or harsh. We left plenty of room around the plants as well so that support rods and sticks can be inserted as needed into the soil without damaging the roots alimbs.

HOW MUCH DID WE SPEND? For 3 garden boxes, we spent $80 on materials --- the wooden planks, 2x4's, box of screws, plastic sheeting, gloves, soils, sand and fert ilizer. We had plenty ofsupplies and dirt left over for other projects.

Like I said earlier, we originally built 5 boxes and sold two of them to offset our costs for this project.

I don't remember how much we spent on plants. Schools often have gardening clubs that sell plants to raise money for various causes. We got some plants that way

Try to support those if you can. You will get great plants at a great bargain and you will be benefiting the community's educational programs.

? We also had a visitor and a snapshot of him is included (last photo).

Thanks for viewing and thanks to all of the other raised-bed gardeners who have inspired us to do this project. Ours doesn't even compare with the otherswhen it comes to style, but we had so much fun.


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Comments

19 comments Add Comment

legaminsays: Mar 23, 2014. 11:37 PM REPas someone with a bad back I had to go with raised bed gardens some time ago. Now with serious arthritis in hips knees and back I had to modify furtherand actually putting 30" 4"x4" legs up through the corners and a good sturdy 2"x4" cross members underneath to support the weight. I've used a design likyours with stilts! Mine are 3'x6' with a trellis on the southern facing side for beans and berries. My next project is a couple of basic concrete forms to havenarrow paths for my gardening trolley. This way I sit high with a straight back able to do what I love.

You have renewed my excitement for Spring! I spent all Winter laid up with a shattered knee from my other love...my motorcycle..

M.Hawsesays: Mar 24, 2014. 12:01 AM REPThank you so much for taking the time to read the article and post a comment! I like your idea a lot better -- now I have got to try building one on stilts.

bbrown65says: Mar 18, 2014. 4:24 PM REPGreat job! Raised garden beds are great for the backyard gardener.

M.Hawsesays: Mar 18, 2014. 4:27 PM REPThanks for the comment!

7nflgirlsays: Mar 18, 2014. 6:53 PM REPOh Please! Please! Please! Take out your plants and dir t and remove the plastic! Your plants will die if the water can't drain! Instead, lay down 4-5 layers of

newsprint in newspapers or corrugated cardboard and then put you dirt in. The critters won't come up and earthworms love newspaper and the plants can dra

legaminsays: Mar 23, 2014. 11:59 PM REPin dry climates with sandy soil such as my home area the perforated plastic is essential! Water is our most wasted resource in America. We take it forgranted. I use an inexpensive bagged compost soil, lay the perforated bags in flat and cut out the upper side. Stir in perlite to retain moisture for two tothree days at a stable moisture release rate then plant. The same soil has served well in my above the ground boxes for three years running withoutwater build up, plant rot or water waste.

M.Hawsesays: Mar 18, 2014. 7:54 PM REPThanks for that good note 7nflgirl. I agree that newspaper is an excellent option and it's environmentally friendly. Most people already own some! I'veused it plenty of times before in other places that I've lived and it's preferred. I didn't want to use it on this project this time around though. I used plasticlast year too. I'm from the S.C. Low Country (@ sea level or below) and I can clearly see the point about having better drainage in many environments that we don't kill the plants. Here in Northern California, I live at the top of a desert area nearly in the mountains. I switched to the plastic because it notonly aids in cleanup when we move the bed after the growing season, but it is necessary to retain enough moisture in the bed to keep things living. It's

just way too dry here, especially when there's drought conditions and water gets rationed. Without it, my beds dry out way too fast and I find that I end wasting water and time trying to regulate it without further expense. My photos only show us putting a couple of holes in the bottom, but there's morethan that. We carefully planned the drainage for each bed and my wife tested two of the beds. We took the third on faith. I guess I should have saidsomething about that, my apologies. BUT it does drain well. Thanks for pointing out that everyone should verify that they have adequate water drainageand that there are choices for barrier material.

7nflgirlsays: Mar 19, 2014. 10:29 AM REPOh thank you for easing my mind and I am so sorry for not noticing in your article that you had punched holes in the plastic....WHEW!!! !

Well then... carry on with my blessings as an avid gardener myself! I was brought in this world gardening and guess I'll leave it gardening!
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M.Hawsesays: Mar 19, 2014. 10:35 AM REPThanks again for looking out for us! Best wishes to you.

MrIlson17says: Mar 21, 2014. 7:04 AM REPSorry but, does moisture get t rapped under the plastic? Wont that rot the wood? I don't think you needed the plastic so-much, just some leftover "Non-Toxipaint or stain you may have in the basement or shed. Also, I would be afraid of not receiving good drainage and aeration even with holes in the sheeting.

Just some friendly sudjestions from one gardener to another. Beautifel raised bed, BTW.

M.Hawsesays: Mar 22, 2014. 2:13 PM REPI'm glad you enjoyed the project and thanks for taking the time to read it and comment!

Your comment about painting them sounds like a good idea to me. We should have done that. Coating the planks could extend the life of the boxes.

I constantly checked the drainage and moisture levels of the soil the very first year we tried this in California. We have done this for a couple of yearsnow in this location and it works really well for us. The wood has shown no signs of mildew or rot. I don't recall the type of wood we used... perhaps thahas something to do with it?

legaminsays: Mar 23, 2014. 11:50 PM REPI saw a great project that helped me determine the size of my beds. I first used my paint sprayer to spray every surface of wood including cracks wisome oil based paint that was left over from the house. But paint has chemicals so I didn't want them in the soil above or below! Your instinct with tplastic is great! But I just bought bagged soil (still works great after three seasons), laid them flat in my boxes and cut the side panels of the bag ouwhich were now the tops leaving me 8 inches of rich soil! The bags of this inexpensive brand of composted soil cost about $10.00 each so with wooand everything, about $25.00 per box on an annualized basis. But i t appears they will last many more years with nothing more than a little in soilcomposting with shredded paper and used coffee grounds (so as not to attract flies and flying bugs). Stick with what works!

legaminsays: Mar 23, 2014. 11:52 PM REPsorry...ps..the bags came perforated so the drainage problem never was an issue.

legaminsays: Mar 23, 2014. 11:50 PM REPI saw a great project that helped me determine the size of my beds. I first used my paint sprayer to spray every surface of wood including cracks wisome oil based paint that was left over from the house. But paint has chemicals so I didn't want them in the soil above or below! Your instinct with tplastic is great! But I just bought bagged soil (still works great after three seasons), laid them flat in my boxes and cut the side panels of the bag ouwhich were now the tops leaving me 8 inches of rich soil! The bags of this inexpensive brand of composted soil cost about $10.00 each so with wooand everything, about $25.00 per box on an annualized basis. But i t appears they will last many more years with nothing more than a little in soilcomposting with shredded paper and used coffee grounds (so as not to attract flies and flying bugs). Stick with what works!

phoesays: Mar 20, 2014. 2:40 PM REP

I love the last picture - at least he didn't choose your new planter for digging :-)

billbilltsays: Mar 20, 2014. 6:51 AM REPmy kind of project... minimalist...

calicovesays: Mar 19, 2014. 5:20 PM REPGreat but don't use miracle grow or other manufacture soils ... Awful stuff in them... You can find recipes for organic soil making your own the best way togo... Find in your Area someone who makes worm casting ..! :)

M.Hawsesays: Mar 18, 2014. 4:08 PM REPThank you!

chriswooten57says: Mar 18, 2014. 3:46 PM REPI enjoyed your instructables. I too over to garden. You did great
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Backyard Garden Boxes on the Cheap