After several years' worth of failed attempts at vegetable gardening, I did quite a bit of research and decided to try organic container and square foot gardening this year. My wonderful husband built some nice boxes for me to use, using scrap 2x6 wood that we already had, and some plywood that pawpaw gave us. The trellises are sheets of rebar. I shopped all over Alabama for my soil components, and am eager to begin a compost and leaf mold as soon as my wonderful husband builds the containers for them. The princess did her fair share of work hammering nails and helping me mix up and spread the soil. She also helps me water the garden.
So far I've planted beans, peas, cucumbers, turnips, zucchini, okra, and watermelon from seeds. I've also planted a jalapeno plant that I bought from Home Depot, and started some seeds in the house for several heirloom tomato varieties, bell pepper, banana pepper, cilantro, sweet basil, lemon basil, marigolds, and ground cherries.
This is my tomato and okra box. It is a 5x3 box, divided 4x3 to give my tomato plants a bit more room. I'm growing peacevine cherry, Clint Eastwood's rowdy red, delicious, and green grape. I'm also going to put a roma in a separate container.
This is my zucchini and pole bean box. I can't wait to see the zucchini take over this box, while the beans grow upward over the trellis. I've also planted some nasturtium in the corners of the box to help ward off pests and make it pretty.
Beans!!
The final square foot box will have peas and cucumbers growing up a trellis that I have yet to build. Right now they're on the edge against the arched rebar trellis. I think Scott's plan was for the beans to grow up the left side, and the peas and cukes to grow up the right side. I don't think there is enough room on that trellis for all of them; the beans will take up the whole thing if I'm successful. The next 4 squares are for turnips, and the rest is for 2 bell pepper, 2 banana pepper, 1 jalapeno, 1 cilantro, and 2 ground cherry plants.
Watermelon box, roma container and basil container
A visitor
Very cool Li!
ReplyDeleteYour boxes look great! I was hoping to be able to have a raised garden this year, but haven't had time. Maybe I'll borrow your tips for next year!!
ReplyDeleteYour raised containers are exactly what I have been looking for. I was trying to explain to my boyfriend what I wanted him to build and it was an all day event and I still don't have the boxes. I have to show him the your pictures and maybe then he wont think I'm crazy. What did your husband use for the bottom?
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing L! I have wanted to start small as in one plant small just to see if i can possibly be able to pick up the green thumb. I want a garden so bad! I saw keri wildsmith's and i am insanely jealous!! ;)
ReplyDeleteLooks great so far. Any updates?
ReplyDeleteYour SFG beds look great! Your husband was smart enough to give the boxes "legs" from the beginning. We did not, and after battling wild bunny damage for a few weeks, we decided to raise them after the fact. Lifting these boxes after they've been filled with soil and vegetables, NOT easy! But we got them up on concrete blocks with damage to just one of the three boxes. I'm looking forward to your garden update!
ReplyDeletep.s. I found your blog from Tim's Backyard blog. Love finding new blogs through other bloggers!