Raised Beds

Because the ground stays so wet, we decided to garden in raised beds. The tractor tires are free from a tire dealer just a couple miles down the road. I planted an Asian persimmon today. Have one more to transplant in the other tire. There are two more tires in which I'll plant fig trees.

This is the raised bed constructed with cinder blocks and cedar lumber. It measures about 4 feet in width by 16 feet in length. The cost of the materials for just this one bed ran about $90. We need at least 7 more of these. Don't think I want to pay $630 more for all that work. So, I think I'll collect more of the free tractor tires and use them instead. I can probably find larger diameter tires and cut the side walls out to increase the planting area in each tire. I may construct 2 more of the long brick beds just for those veggies that grow better in rows.

Earlier this year, I tilled and raked the garden area before planting grass seed. The lawn now holds the sandy ground together (before, one would sink down past their ankles after any appreciable amount of rain) and should soak up a lot of the water that is trapped in the soil. Gardening should be much easier this year. Since constructing the 12-foot high fence, no deer have gotten in. I'll have to put up an electric wire at the base of the fence to keep the groundhogs, rabbits, and racoons out.