Kathryn W
Member
Registered: 12th Oct 03
Location: Widnes, Cheshire
User status: Offline
|
Do any of you grow your own stuff?
We're getting our garden done at the moment and im wanting to build myself a little raised patch... so its away from the garden etc... So it'll be like a big wooden box.
Do you guys have any info on making them, or experience?
What do you grow?
|
Chris
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Sep 99
User status: Offline
|
Making a raised planter is quite easy, just need some lengths of decking.
Two high with one on top as a return to finish off.
When buying the planks they come is lengths 2400,3600 or 4800.
So sizes could be 1200x2400 buy cutting the lengths, i would get a biscuit jointer the joint the boards together, then on the to fit 45 degree supports so when the kids stand on it doesnt snap the top off.
Is an example of mine.
|
Simon
Member
Registered: 24th Apr 03
Location: Oxfordshire
User status: Offline
|
Not much too them really in terms of construction, brick or timber being easiest. Railway sleepers do a good job. Making them over 2ft tall means you wont have problems with insects such as carrot flies.
I've got an allotment, but the only raised beds I have are some recycled car tyres which I've planted up with garlic and blueberry bushes
|
mattk
Member
Registered: 27th Feb 06
Location: St. Helens
User status: Offline
|
Im using a raised bed this year, will have more sucsess hopefully this year, mine is about 10ft by 7ft and took 19 grow bags to fill lol
|
Kathryn W
Member
Registered: 12th Oct 03
Location: Widnes, Cheshire
User status: Offline
|
Is it right to start planting things about now?
|
Chris
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Sep 99
User status: Offline
|
Still possible frosts to early May, so you need to make sure the stuff is hardy or protected from frost.
|
Simon
Member
Registered: 24th Apr 03
Location: Oxfordshire
User status: Offline
|
Yeah as Chris says, some things will be ok, others its best to wait couple more weeks or get some covers
|
mattk
Member
Registered: 27th Feb 06
Location: St. Helens
User status: Offline
|
I have my lettuce in now, Ive risked it, it was really clear at 5am this morning and not frosty, I put them in on friday will be ok I reckon, got raddish, onions and spuds to go in maybe in a fortnight
|
sc0ott
Member
Registered: 16th Feb 09
User status: Offline
|
Get some pepper plants. Peppers taste great apart from the green ones.
|
Simon
Member
Registered: 24th Apr 03
Location: Oxfordshire
User status: Offline
|
yeah but pepper plants need greenhouses ideally
|
Ste
Premium Member
Registered: 5th Mar 03
Location: Taif, Saudi Arabia
User status: Offline
|
Don't always shy away from planting stuff before the frost has gone. Many plants need a dose of cold to kick start the germination process. I'm making my raised bed from decking boards. 2.4metre lengths are on offer in Widnes B&Q right now for £2.40 each. I also got a tub of water proofer for the wood to protect it a bit more. I'll be growing sweet corn, carrots, parsnips, spinach, broccoli, loads of herbs and toms and peppers in a mini green house.
I would rather lose by a mile because i built my own car, than win by an inch because someone else built it for me.
|
Kathryn W
Member
Registered: 12th Oct 03
Location: Widnes, Cheshire
User status: Offline
|
quote: Originally posted by Ste W
Don't always shy away from planting stuff before the frost has gone. Many plants need a dose of cold to kick start the germination process. I'm making my raised bed from decking boards. 2.4metre lengths are on offer in Widnes B&Q right now for £2.40 each. I also got a tub of water proofer for the wood to protect it a bit more. I'll be growing sweet corn, carrots, parsnips, spinach, broccoli, loads of herbs and toms and peppers in a mini green house.
Think i'll go to Widnes tonight and take a look at the decking boards!
Only want something smallish - I was thinking of getting one of them mini green house things to!
Ideally i'd like to grow;
Potatos
Carrots
Onions
Mushrooms
Broccoli
Toms
Peppers
Chilli's
|
Simon
Member
Registered: 24th Apr 03
Location: Oxfordshire
User status: Offline
|
Good selection, last 3 will benefit from some sort of greenhpouse enclosure. I'm not bothering with potato this year. Take up too much space and are dirt cheap to buy so using the space for other stuff
|
Tom J
Organiser: South Wales Premium Member
Registered: 8th Sep 03
Location: Bridgend
User status: Offline
|
last year planted two seed potatoes in a car tyre then put another one on top and earthed up and got about 3kilos off them, not bad if you ask me.
i've just planted garlic and spring onions, going to plant my first early potatoes this week, will also be growing green beans, calabrese brocolli, runner beans, carrots, peppers, cherry toms, cucumbers, chillies. better get propogating!!
|