Ideas for raised beds?

[Kstornado11]

My dad is having some health problems, & I am planning on building him a raised bed garden so he might start eating healthier. Can anyone please help me to find some good websites with pictures to show him? He used to garden with my mom, but my step-mom really isn't into it, so me, hubby & kids will be going over to take care of it for him. Just want him to be able to have fresh homegrown veggies that he has minimal upkeep on. He lives on about 4 acres, but doesn't really use the land. He is feeling pretty down, I am hoping to find some great websites to get him interested ... I want the garden to be really pretty and plan on using lots of native flowers to attract pollinators ( if I can keep step-mom from killing them w/ bug spray, she has a phobia )!
Thanks for any ideas!

[wolfwalkerpa]

http://www.gardenweb.com/ Has many forums about gardens, flowers etc.

[bassmaster17327]

This guy does a ton of youtube videos of his urban garden, he has the nicest looking garde I have ever seen. Here is a one of his videos doing a tour of his garden

YouTube

[willowworker]

I make simple ones out of landscaping logs...leached the logs for a year, then built them 5 logs high...4'x8' and 2'x4'. that way I can sit in my lawn chair and not have to bend at all.

You can also get metal corners and drop 2"x6" into those.
Also can use angle iron for corners with bracing for insides and outsides of 2x6" boards.

Lots of good sights also given in previous posts.

Good luck.

[sunflower-n-ks]

Do you want them a few inches high, or up high enough he can sit in a chair to tend them?

Hydroponics and aquaponics can be used outdoors and in the higher settings.

[Kstornado11]

I'm not exactly sure, maybe a bit higher than 6in , don't want Pop to have to do a whole lot of bending... thanks for all the ideas! WOW Bassmaster that guy has some AWESOME raised beds!! I am inspired to build my own up higher this year!!!

[Awnry Abe]

Very simple & nice looking. She claims $10/per, but that depends on your luck with the cedar.

http://ana-white.com/2010/05/hack-na...ised-beds.html

[rags57078]

check this system out

YouTube

[TnAndy]

Don't use 'landscaping timbers'.....they are not pressure treated, just dipped.....and will rot out in a few years.

[wannabechef]

I made mine at my last house with pressure treated 2"x12" and lag bolted them together at the ends. 4'x8' so you need 3 8 footers.

[willowworker]

I have used the leached landscape logs for quite a few years now, both for my veggie garden and my cactus garden. No rotting. May be the difference in location...

Whatever you use build them high enough so he can sit in a comfy chair and not have to bend over or reach too far. I did that because of my back and hips. Works great.

[mnn2501]

I built mine with brick - but then I'm planning on staying here and using them for at least another decade or probably longer

[sunflower-n-ks]

Originally Posted by willowworker

Whatever you use build them high enough so he can sit in a comfy chair and not have to bend over or reach too far. I did that because of my back and hips. Works great.

This is what I was thinking. For me, anything between sitting flat on the ground and sitting in a chair is - well, a challenge. Bending for longer than just to pick up something is not too doable, and getting up from anything lower than my knees is almost impossible. Not to mention just plain uncomfortable. That may not be an issue for your dad though.

[bergere]

We are making ours out of Cinder blocks.
Will have to take a photo for you.

[CarolT]

I have never tried them, so have no idea if or how well they work, but last year I saw a lot of canvas box shaped bags on legs being sold for raised beds. No bending at all. They looked really neat, but we all know how "really neat" ideas can go south in a hurry...

[Benny b]

Is the raised beds only to make working them easier or is there other benefits to them as well? They do look nice too.

[motdaugrnds]

I'm starting my raised beds for the same reason, i.e. so I don't need to do so much bending to plant/tend/harvest.

I have taken the top soil off an area about 6' x 30' and set it aside. Then I put some 4x4 treated posts all around one side and one end. Am now adding tree trunks/limbs from those that have been laying around the place for awhile and am adding all the old wood being taken off a fallen shack. Once this hole (about 2 ft deep at present) has been pretty much filled with all these tree trunks/limbs/wood, I will nail some horizontal boards all around the bed so it is about 2+' high, placing a 2x4 or 2x6 flat on top to sit on. Then I will add some barn bedding and replace the top soil (mixed with ag lime to raise ph). This way I can not only sit on the sides to work it; but have many options as to what wiring/fencing/etc I want inside it.

[farmmaid]

Advertize for old freezers and frigs. Drill holes in the back of them and set them on cinderblocks (the backs where you drilled) on corners and one in the middle of the sides. Put rocks then gravel in the bottom, then compost layer with soil, compost, soil...you get the idea. If you have danger of kids climbing in take the doors off, otherwise you can also use them as starter beds...closing the doors with a light bulb inside to keep the temperature warm in the early spring to start plants. In the fall, add more compost, manure, leaves etc., close the door and let it cook. You will need to lift the door and water the bed OR just let it cook without the door closed.There is now good paint to paint plastic outdoor things if you want some color...............

[Seeria]

I did buckets like that vid for two years and didn't fine it overly productive. Overwatering, despite a zillion wholes drilled and rocks in bottom, was a big problem. Not sure I'd try it again.

I will be trying straw bale raised beds. Idea of something that makes more soil is too tempting to resist.

[Big Dave]

Try asquare foot garden. I am it seems easier on me.