I went to the calgary horticultural show last weekend and just heard about this topic... we are moving to a location with poor soil, so we're looking for ways to grow stuff in raised beds.
They directed me to a few places in calgary for ideas;
http://www.vergepermaculture.ca/courses/pdc-calg-spring-2012
http://permaculturecalgary.org/
I haven't checked it out in person yet, but if anyone else has any local links, it would be appreciated.
thanks,
You could look up "wicking beds" ...I've posted some links in the Canadian Preparedness discussion section under DIY projects!
Russell Coight....outback legend
Dang,
I built a raised planter box for my wife this year for herbs. It's on the deck up stairs and 8' X 2' x 11". The box is red cedar lined with landscape fabric to keep the soil from weeping onto the deck in heavy rain. It's been a couple of months now and is working like a charm.
Antsy
Needs must when the devil drives.
check out sqarefootgardening.com...we have very acidic soil and so we built these boxes, it works wonderfully! Every member of my family now has some also! Few weeds (only those that blow in), no water waste, no compacted soil, I grow from Beginning of April to "too much snow to get to the box"...I think you will love it...see my yard at you tube grandmananners (sorry the videos are not very good/just learning how to do it...lol) I'll help answer any questions you have but you can buy Mel Barthalemew's (? not sure that is correct) book "Square foot gardening" at Chapters (that is where I got it)
I found a few good vids on youtube using pallets to build verticle gardens. Now you can save floor space by putting pallets on the walls. Mostly for smaller plants, not really good for carrots and other root veggies if you use each level, but I am going to try making deeper levels for carrots and parsnips, as well as setting some on a bit of an angle for taller leafy plants.
Also I have began to juice fruits, veggies and greens, so I have lots of good stuff for compost to feed a pallet garden that would not have as much soil to grab nutrients from.
Also as a landscaper I always collect the lawn clippings, leaves and smaller wood chips to make soil. Now with the high power compost from the juicer to mix in the raised and pallet gardens should have a better chance.
Hmmm, maybe I should rethink the quiet part...
I planted up a pallet for a display at the garden centre this year, planted it with herbs and flowers and it works very well...wall gardens are also becoming popular, with the pallet it is best to leave it laying flat for a couple of weeks after planting it up so that the plants can root before you stand it up. Also attaching eves troughs (used ones) to the side of a building and planting in them is a new idea circulatiing...my favorite was a display also did this year using a hanging plastic shoe rack..poke holes in the bottom of each shoe holder (20 per bag) fill the pocket with your soil and plant them up.
the website "sqarefootgardening.com" doesn't exist... 😥
the website "sqarefootgardening.com" doesn't exist... 😥
Hey hon...did you misspell it...square has a U in it...I just typed it in and got there, mel is on the front page...click on sfg foundation and start reading, there are pics and videos on this site, the book is better to have though...take a trip to chapters and get the newest version
Raised beds are the way to go from what I see. However I am elevating mine to waist level. I do not want rodents getting at the root crops aaaaaaand I dont want to bend over seeing how I am about 6'2.
Raised beds are the way to go from what I see. However I am elevating mine to waist level.
Only way to garden
Raised beds are the way to go from what I see. However I am elevating mine to waist level.
Only way to garden
Mobile..... brilliant.
If that's an old tent trailer, did you keep or modify the suspension?
_________________
Deep in the night you will look into the ever looming dark and despair, and think...
"Damn it, I should have listened to Crier.... that bastard is brilliantly gifted with "supernatural common sense."
Nice. Although mine will be fixed, I do love the idea of using an old trailer.
Raised beds are the way to go from what I see. However I am elevating mine to waist level.
If that's an old tent trailer, did you keep or modify the suspension?
No I rolled my own,- no suspension as it stays on the property. Insulated and lined with poly.
I went to the calgary horticultural show last weekend and just heard about this topic... we are moving to a location with poor soil, so we're looking for ways to grow stuff in raised beds.
They directed me to a few places in calgary for ideas;
http://www.vergepermaculture.ca/courses/pdc-calg-spring-2012
http://permaculturecalgary.org/
I haven't checked it out in person yet, but if anyone else has any local links, it would be appreciated.
thanks,
You'll either pay through the roof for Verge's services or to take their courses. I recommend getting the books "The Soul of Soil" and "Teaming with Microbes". Our soils were depleted of nutrients decades ago and we do need to start rebuilding a healthy eco system by starting with the soils first. Do not put grass clippings into your compost to build healthy soils for a garden! Keep your grass clippings in the grass area and out of the garden. You need red wigglers/shredded paper/kitchen scraps/bit of water to make healthy soil again. Composting with red wigglers isn't stinky but it will be if you put grass clippings in it. You don't need chemicals to build healthy soils. Create your garden to mimic mother nature's eco system. Having raised garden beds works just fine in our climate and can be made with simple materials.
One of the healthiest things you can do for your garden is to remineralize your soil with rock dust...go to remineralizetheearth.org and there are places in canada BC or East that sell the product