Time to grow up?

Gardening that is... ummm..Vertically speaking. 😉

This old back is not amused with having to bend way down anymore...never mind getting back up from way down there.

Plus it was time to take out the old beds anyway, they had seen better years.

So I decided to make beds much higher, but wanted more from those beds then just ground planting in the 5 x 8 section. And those old rotted logs that framed the old bed..?
Well they went into the bottom of the beds, along with whatever cardboard, branches, etc., I had around, to help hold moisture.
Watered the heck outta them.
Next on top went loads of fresh cleanings from the hen houses.
On top of that went many inches of composted goodies.

Then I thought why not make use of the sides...more plants, same space.
Framed the upper and top ones with 2x3x8's and covered in fence wire for plants to crawl up on on both sides. Worked like a charm.

Got the hooks out to attach hanging pots to the top boards. That presented a problem cause I was so not gonna climb a ladder every watering!
In comes the trusted b. cords, of all sizes. That worked great to put the plants right in reach. 🙂

Then I looked at the ends (5 ft long).. hmmm, can't waste that space...looks like more 2 x's to buy.

Then an idea popped into my head and wondered if 2L pop bottles would fit on their sides along the length... fit like it was made for them.
I put up one 2x on each side of the end uprights so it make a cradle for the 2 L to lay on. Repeat on other end for a total of 10 2L bottles. 🙂
Cut a longish hole in 2L bottles, punched drain holes, stuffed with soil and laid on side (with caps on), then planted.

BTW, this was all screwed together as I hate having to go back to refix if done with nails that pulled loose.
These beds can all be made higher later if I choose to do so.

Pro's:
I didn't need to water a good 1/2 much on that bed.
Growing up, allowed me to grow more plants in that same bed/area.
Critters/slugs, etc., had not one chance to get my strawberries that where in hanging baskets. Actually, I feel that I had a much better producing crop as to those in the ground.

Grn. beans that grew in the 2 L bottles and hanging baskets, where clean and 'not taste tested' by bugs on the ground. They produced very well and still producing but have been brought inside. Ma Nautre and her surprise freezes. 🙁

The Spag. squash grew up both sides and produced very well. I did have to cut them off as they hit the tops as I needed them to work on the squash already on the vines, to beat Ma Nature and her freezing tricks.

Birds where let known that they were not welcome either, by hangin CD/DVD's up to dangle in the air at the whim of the wind.

For having planted before the sides and all where put up, I say everything did quite well considering I have to push some out of my way as I worked on it. The carrots got things dropped on them a few times too.

Con's
Haven't found any...yet.
Except I am now making more of them, tho not sure that is a con...my back may think so.

Anyway, just wanted to share as someone else might find that handy with little space to grow in.
I chose only to have 3 top boards, but one could use more, to hang more pots up.
Tho the more boards you put up with more hanging baskets will shade the inner bed more.

Sorry this was so long.
Tried to post a pix but it was extra huge on here and not clear, but my pix is not that big.
What am I doing wrong, please?