– Knot So Perfect Designs – BLOG
Explanation: Knot = wood knot, crochet knot etc. So = so let's get started, Sew = I sew just enough to get by; sow- seeds for gardening either flower or veggie. Perfect = absolutely exquisitely done but KNOT by me (sometimes). What I do sometimes I have never done before so the results are Knot Perfect! Design = Could be most anything. A crocheted rug, a kitchen makeover, a patio, garden, a new recipe or decorating something - maybe even some awesome pictures.
You don't have to know HOW - you just need the DESIRE to TRY. bh
Let's get ready for our garden with a RAISED BED.
Of course my idea of a raised bed is about 3 feet OFF the ground. I hate bending over to get the weeds or the cucumbers or whatever it is that will be laying on the ground. Okay - so I'm lazy. HEY - keep in mind I'm an "ol' gal" and if I can make things easier you can bet it will happen.
First you need some lumber, Or cement blocks, or stone or hay bales.You can use 2x6" or even a 2x12". I believe the best depth is 12". There are many kinds of wood that are best for this, like the ones that will not rot in a few years but I managed to find another BARGAIN of 2x6" lumber (on bottom of pile), along with other sizes. Look at this - I got all this for $13.00. Am I good at this or what?
It will be perfect. I am using 8 pcs 4 ft long . That's good for starters. Remember, we are trying to get out of this CHEAP and we still have to FILL with dirt, leaves, compost, manure - something so the plants will grow. You will be surprised how much dirt it will take to fill a 5'x4'x12" deep area. Here is a link: how to figure cubic feet. http://www.todayshomeowner.com/cubic-yard-calculator/ It says I will need .74 cubic yards. What does that LOOK like??
**picture from
Ok - that's a little more than what I need but if you make 2 beds then one yard of dirt, compost, manure will be more than enough. Here's a little chart for us that need better visuals! I like this.
***chart is from:
This is starting to sound like a LOT of work - like heavy physical labor. What the...get the grand kids over or round up some neighborhood kids to help you. Bribe them if you have to! Or better yet - get that cute guy or gal down the street to lend a hand. Make them dinner afterwards or give them a glass of wine or a beer (AFTER).
If you have to buy lumber you will need to cut it to the length you want...4'x4'x6" square (8 pcs). So you will only need 4 - 8 ft 2x6"...cheap enough. Mine are already cut. Because my tomatoes grow like crazy and will add the corner posts for the "support system". I am using 2"x2"x4' boards that were also pre-cut. Darn - no power tools yet. You will want a corner board inside to screw or nail your boards to. I figure by putting the tall posts in I can also put chicken wire around it to help keep some of the critters out. I'm rural with wildlife all around - even gators have been on my road. W H A T ? No kidding. It was dead but none the less it was there.
Now that you have your bed together, now comes the hard work - the DIRT. But FIRST, let's lay down some weed control material stuff.Anything to help keep the weeds out.
You can also add hardware cloth to the bottom to keep out moles and whatever other critters bore in the ground to eat your stuff. Short on $$, use newspapers in layers. They will let the water through but keep the weeds out if YOU don't tear it!!!
This is what I am doing: leaves I mulched and bagged with the lawnmower a few weekends ago;
BUY, compost, manure, potting soil and top soil. Mix this all together and fill in the bed. plants. How I did this: layer of leaves, 5 bgs dirt, 1/3 bg peat moss, 2 bgs of manure, 4 bgs dirt and some more peat moss mixing together as I went along. I opted to save a bag of dirt for outside the bed - for cucumbers or squash and will lean a pallet up against the posts for them to grow up. We'll see about that...not sure what I'm planting.Isn't that beautiful? Now all we need are some veggie
I always over-plant an area. Maybe this chart will help us all!! Hey - they give you all these seeds in the little pack so you have to plant them all just in case only a few actually grow, right? Actually if you plant seed every couple weeks you won't have ALL your veggies, etc all at once.
***chart found on Pintrist
Now, another big dilemma - WHAT to plant. What do you like? Here in NC we can grow "something" year round!! How sweet is that? Timing is everything, especially here. It gets hot and stuff just stops growing. I should have planted a few things a few MONTHS ago. Now I have a good garden bed with much better soil - and even better next year. I can start plants earlier next year because I can make this into a little greenhouse with plastic around it....put a light bulb in there and wa-la, greenhouse. I will probably make at least one more bed.
If you make numerous beds be sure to buy yourself a freezer or canner - you will need it. Or, you can get a table at the farmer's market. I love to visit them. Everyone is so nice and have many stories.
*** Smelly shoes? Put dry tea bags in overnight. They will absorb the odors.
You don't have to know HOW - you just need the DESIRE to TRY. bh
Let's get ready for our garden with a RAISED BED.
Of course my idea of a raised bed is about 3 feet OFF the ground. I hate bending over to get the weeds or the cucumbers or whatever it is that will be laying on the ground. Okay - so I'm lazy. HEY - keep in mind I'm an "ol' gal" and if I can make things easier you can bet it will happen.
First you need some lumber, Or cement blocks, or stone or hay bales.You can use 2x6" or even a 2x12". I believe the best depth is 12". There are many kinds of wood that are best for this, like the ones that will not rot in a few years but I managed to find another BARGAIN of 2x6" lumber (on bottom of pile), along with other sizes. Look at this - I got all this for $13.00. Am I good at this or what?
Ok - that's a little more than what I need but if you make 2 beds then one yard of dirt, compost, manure will be more than enough. Here's a little chart for us that need better visuals! I like this.
***chart is from:
This is starting to sound like a LOT of work - like heavy physical labor. What the...get the grand kids over or round up some neighborhood kids to help you. Bribe them if you have to! Or better yet - get that cute guy or gal down the street to lend a hand. Make them dinner afterwards or give them a glass of wine or a beer (AFTER).
If you have to buy lumber you will need to cut it to the length you want...4'x4'x6" square (8 pcs). So you will only need 4 - 8 ft 2x6"...cheap enough. Mine are already cut. Because my tomatoes grow like crazy and will add the corner posts for the "support system". I am using 2"x2"x4' boards that were also pre-cut. Darn - no power tools yet. You will want a corner board inside to screw or nail your boards to. I figure by putting the tall posts in I can also put chicken wire around it to help keep some of the critters out. I'm rural with wildlife all around - even gators have been on my road. W H A T ? No kidding. It was dead but none the less it was there.
Now that you have your bed together, now comes the hard work - the DIRT. But FIRST, let's lay down some weed control material stuff.Anything to help keep the weeds out.
This is what I am doing: leaves I mulched and bagged with the lawnmower a few weekends ago;
I always over-plant an area. Maybe this chart will help us all!! Hey - they give you all these seeds in the little pack so you have to plant them all just in case only a few actually grow, right? Actually if you plant seed every couple weeks you won't have ALL your veggies, etc all at once.
***chart found on Pintrist
Now, another big dilemma - WHAT to plant. What do you like? Here in NC we can grow "something" year round!! How sweet is that? Timing is everything, especially here. It gets hot and stuff just stops growing. I should have planted a few things a few MONTHS ago. Now I have a good garden bed with much better soil - and even better next year. I can start plants earlier next year because I can make this into a little greenhouse with plastic around it....put a light bulb in there and wa-la, greenhouse. I will probably make at least one more bed.
If you make numerous beds be sure to buy yourself a freezer or canner - you will need it. Or, you can get a table at the farmer's market. I love to visit them. Everyone is so nice and have many stories.
*** Smelly shoes? Put dry tea bags in overnight. They will absorb the odors.
Looks good...I will expect some great veggies when I come in July.
ReplyDeleteI should have something by then.
DeleteI agree with your statement that you don't need the know how just the desire to try and think that this is true of most things in life. I often use the internet to find out how to do things before undertaking diy or gardening projects. I like your raised beds and am planning to make some of my own soon. Good luck with your gardening, I hope you get a good crop of what ever you decide to grow.
ReplyDeleteBert Aguilar @ Rainfill Tanks and Curved Roofing Supplies
Thank you Bert for your encouraging statement. It is true the internet has such a vast amount of knowledge and how to for assisting in almost anything you want to do.
DeletePS - The deer and rabbits ate well. This year I am putting chicken wire around. That was my original plan with the tall corner posts.