- #31
gary350
- 292
- 83
305 lbs. of new Kennebec white potatoes from a 90 ft row of seed potatoes.
'How Does Your Garden Grow' thread - raised beds
- Thread starter DaveC426913
- Start date
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the construction and management of raised garden beds, focusing on factors such as height, materials, drainage, and pest control. Participants share their plans for vegetable gardening and seek advice on best practices for building and maintaining raised beds.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- One participant expresses uncertainty about the optimal height for raised beds, initially considering waist-height but later realizing that 18" to 24" is sufficient.
- Concerns are raised about whether the beds should be open or enclosed underneath, with questions about critters and soil depth.
- There is discussion about the need for stability and whether to use stakes or concrete footer blocks, with some expressing reluctance about the effort involved.
- Questions arise regarding drainage and whether to line the beds with materials like landscaping fabric or fill the bottom with rocks.
- Another participant mentions that certain vegetables can survive winter if left in the ground, suggesting that not all raised beds need to be limited to annuals.
- Concerns about using pressure-treated wood are discussed, with participants debating the safety of toxins leaching into the soil.
- Suggestions for pest control include attracting wasps to manage insect pests, with one participant sharing their experience using an aquarium for observation.
- There are considerations about watering systems, with some participants sharing past experiences and expressing the need for a suitable solution for raised beds.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a variety of views on the construction and management of raised beds, with no consensus reached on specific practices or materials. Multiple competing ideas about height, materials, and pest control methods remain unresolved.
Contextual Notes
Participants mention various factors that could influence the effectiveness of raised beds, such as local climate conditions, the type of vegetables grown, and the materials used for construction. There are also unresolved questions about the best practices for drainage and pest management.
Who May Find This Useful
Gardeners interested in building raised beds, those seeking to adapt gardening practices for accessibility, and individuals looking for advice on vegetable gardening techniques may find this discussion beneficial.
- #32
nsaspook
Science Advisor
- 1,550
- 5,107
Out of control.
- #33
nsaspook
Science Advisor
- 1,550
- 5,107
Nothing like a fresh picked tomato.
- #34
DaveC426913
Gold Member
2025 Award
- 24,286
- 8,434
We got a bunch of cherry tomatoes, a couple of squashes and eggplants, but the tomatoes - despite the plants growing wildly out of the beds - have delivered little more than cherry tomato-sized tomatoes so far.
Not sure if it's because of the hot season, or poor soil or my expectations are high.
Not sure if it's because of the hot season, or poor soil or my expectations are high.
- #35
BillTre
Science Advisor
Gold Member
- 2,745
- 12,004
Do you water regularly?DaveC426913 said:
- #36
DaveC426913
Gold Member
2025 Award
- 24,286
- 8,434
I was, yes.BillTre said:
- #37
nsaspook
Science Advisor
- 1,550
- 5,107
You need to prune the suckers.DaveC426913 said: