We have moved out into the country onto a hill that is mostly clay and very wet. With our advancing years I'd like to build raised beds with storage underneath. I have the idea in my head of what they would look like, but I am not sure what dimensions I should be looking at. I'm figuring to use untreated cedar. Top of the beds would be at waist height, inverted V in the middle to fill space and direct water. Lined with Metal that had holes punched in bottom at one end to allow for excess water and nutrient catchment. Shelves under the boxes to hold implements.
I'd like to scale it up rather than build too much. Currently looking at planting:
- 4 tomato
- A gross of Green Beans
- 2 Bell Pepper
- 2 zucchini
- Some potatoes and Carrots
- 1 Banana Pepper
- 1 Jalapeno
- 1 Egg Plant
- Maybe some lettuce
This is close to what we have planted in previous years. We are in zone 6 so not sure what else we would plant.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Personally, I build my raised beds at about the 24" height. This gives me a place to sit when I'm weeding or harvesting. You can fill the bottom up some with rocks, plastic bottles, etc., to cut down on the soil you need to add, as you really only need 12-18 inches to grow successfully.
How Much Food Can I Grow For a Year Supply of Food? | Ready Gardens By Ready Nutrition
How Much to Plant for a Year's Supply of Food - The Seasonal Homestead
Food Storage Calculator – Family Preparedness (providentliving.com)
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
With the links above, you should be able to get an idea on what will do well in your area. I live in 5b zone and yet I am able to grow a lot of different things that aren't really advised for me. You didn't say whether this was just a Summer garden...no canning or putting by, or if it was a garden to supply for the year. Also, wasn't sure if you meant 'collect nutrients' as in a hybrid hydroponic system or not.
Thank you for the replies and the links. I want to start with a summer garden, putting a little back and then be able to scale up to canning in the next year. We have always used a water bath, so we are some what limited on what can be canned. But my wife does lots of jams and jellies, and we put back herbs as well.
I guess the biggest question is not knowing how large I need to make these as sun lit space is kind of a scarcity. The 12-18 inches is helpful thank you.
@PLBour do not let water bath canning stop you! That's all I have done so far as well. I have a pressure canner, but to be honest, I am scared to death of it, lol. My mother blew the lid on the one she was using and at 5 yrs old, it tends to stay with you. There are other things that can be done to put things up for the Winter. Fermenting is a great way to do it, as is blanching and freezing. You can also dehydrate fruits and vegetables with a homemade dehydrator. I am also going to add some pictures here of great ideas I have found in my travels on the web. You mentioned limited space and I think a couple of these might be something to think about.
Maybe fill the bottom of your raised beds with some hay/leaves, yard clippings etc. , so it will compost down over time. If you all want storage space on the bottom, be aware if you have snakes/mice they will love that storage space as well. As for canning, one can can pretty much everything but milk in a WB canner, that goes for meat, veggies and beans. The golden rule is, blanch veggies and cook meat, before WB canning. Why? Botulism gets killed by heat greater than 212° therefore pre cooking will take care of that. Now it goes without saying, that low acid foods obviously need to be canned a lot longer in a WB canner, than a pressure canner, which is precisely why we personally rather use a PC than WB, due to propane cook stove and every min. Counts 😏. Ill gladly upload a couple of time charts once i get into the range of better reception.
Hope this helps.
You can get advice from local garden centers/ nurseries on what will grow good in your area. Now as for raised beds, if you have trouble kneeling they have table like raised beds at places like Menards or you can build something similar from lumber sourced from Menards, Lowes or your local lumberyard.
You can get advice from local garden centers/ nurseries on what will grow good in your area. Now as for raised beds, if you have trouble kneeling they have table like raised beds at places like Menards or you can build something similar from lumber sourced from Menards, Lowes or your local lumberyard.
In my experience with raised beds... 1 is none and two is one. Lol never plant just 1 of anything. And your soil is always dry, so build it wetter than planned for and adjust accordingly. Drip tape is ideal.
Good luck, and god bless.