I made the raised beds out of those 3x4 landscape timbers. They were supposed to be 3x5's as the ad said, but when I got home the tape measure told me the truth. I bought a whole bundle from Home Depot, they were 1.97 each on sale. Should have checked Menards ad, they were on sale for 1.77 each. Could have save 20 some bucks, oh well.
I cut them to length and miter cut the ends with the 4" vertical and nailed them together. I went two high so the beds are only 8" deep.
Under the beds, I disked it up pretty good, scraped off some of the top soil (nice to have a tractor) threw some sand in, tilled it, limed it, and some 12-12-12, then I slightly compacted (back graded) it with the bucket (nice to have a tractor)
After that I set the beds in place and lined the bottom with cardboard. Earthworms love that stuff and the whole idea is that they compost from the bottom. I also have a simple method to keep the worms happily feeding on the cardboard. I still have to try it, but as with fish and gardens, it takes time!
I placed about an inch of my really coarse sand on top of the cardboard, then mixed up equal amounts of topsoil and compost. Added a large bag of Jiffy Potting Soil and about 1/3rd bag of peat moss, and this was mixed up really well, with water. It took about six hours from start, to have it planted and watered.
Anaheim Chili This bed is as described above. It is only 4ft x 8ft and 8 inches deep. It has 18 Anaheim Pepper Plants, 10 Revolution F1 Bell Pepper Plants, Oregano, Calendula, South-port White and Tokyo Bunching Onions, and my favorite... Sweet Basil... They should make a mens cologne, aftershave, deodorant out of that stuff!
