Garden Projects: Raised Bed, Arbor, Potting Shed, Compost Bins

GARDEN PROJECTS

Raised Bed:

Late fall, 2021, the chickens are gone, but this area has a new purpose.  The hoop run, stripped of tarp and shade screens, will make a sturdy arbor for vegetables. 

The former grazing frames were stacked and screwed together after a refreshing coat of redwood stain. Filled with a sifted blend of dirt, sand, and manure from years of chickens.  The outside landscape area was planted with blueberries and (later) strawberries. 

This frame is 15 feet long by 2.5 feet wide.

On the ground under the frames and soil is a layer of corrugated cardboard.

A cover of newsprint and corrugated cardboard for winter weed control.

Arbor:

The hoop of 16' cattle panels is an excellent design for an arbor, as much as it was for a chicken run.  This footprint is 21 feet long and 9.5 feet wide.

The 2022 arbor garden supported butternut squash, Fortex long beans, tomatoes and basil companions, cucumbers, watermelon and canteloupe.  The raised beds grew garlic, spinach, kale, thyme, banana peppers and green peppers.

Potting Shed:

The hen house became a potting shed.  Using free wood from a fence, shelves and a work table shelf were build inside in place of the roosting bars. 

Compost Bins:

For household and lawn composting, I purchased four 32 gallon, black trash cans and 2 black drain pipes for $110.  With holes in the sides and bottom, and a drain pipe placed in the middle of the can,  I am layering brown and green matter and will continue as the contents degrade. This is where the idea came from:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t39WfhyOc60&t=20s

See the page, HAY BALE GARDEN, for details on that project!

Container Garden:

I purchased 5 fifty-five gallon plastic drums, #2 Food grade white, for approximately $54.  We proceeded to cut them in half with a circular saw (measuring and marking the cut lines with a dry erase marker) and drilled holes in the sides about 8 inches apart and 3.5" from the bottom.  The screw caps which may leak were sealed with silicone caulk.  These photos represent this description:

Placement and filling of these containers, approx. 27.5 gallons each, will be determined in Spring 2023!