Organic raised beds....

CelticJourney · 11-22-2014, 02:22 PM

I need to start an organic garden next year for my son's health. I need to do raised beds because of a nasty root vine that we can't seem to dig out.

I am considering concrete blocks, lining the area with black plastic, then enough stones for drainage, then organic soil mixed with my neighbor's chicken maneurer (you know, I'm ok with not knowing the exact spelling of that word).

I concerned the concrete blocks might have toxins that would leach out. Anyone know? Other suggestions?

ArmsOfLove · 11-23-2014, 01:41 AM

I wanted raised beds but we opted this year for pots. I have seen really awesome beds in the concrete blocks but I don't know about the leeching

Hope someone has answers!

Soliloquy · 11-23-2014, 01:43 AM

Concrete blocks seem fine. The main issue with raised beds is pressure-treated wood which contains (and leeches) arsenic.

greengirl19 · 12-02-2014, 10:26 AM

I have concrete block raised beds

CelticJourney · 12-15-2014, 07:18 PM

Ok.....so I'm forming a plan....tell me if this will work...

I plan to get blocks soon (I keep asking for them for Christmas

). I think I go ahead and get them in place, put down cardboard for weed control (I read that somewhere, stop me now if it's wrong) and then use the lawn mower to mulch the leaves and put them in the bottom to form a base. This way when spring comes I will have some of the work done and half the depth filled so that I don't have to fill the entire thing with expensive organic soil.

Yes, no, way off base?

believer · 12-15-2014, 08:48 PM

I think that sounds ok. Do you compost? You could put your compost there on top of the cardboard and mulch and then cover it over when you add the dirt.

CelticJourney · 12-15-2014, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by believer

I think that sounds ok. Do you compost? You could put your compost there on top of the cardboard and mulch and then cover it over when you add the dirt.

We do - we have a separate compost bin. I wasn't sure if it needed to decompose for a year or so or if it was ok to add stuff in now.

lenswyf · 12-20-2014, 09:56 PM

Why don't you try a straw bale garden? Super easy, and you can put it on any surface. (I read about one guy who set up his garden in his pick-up truck because his home had no sunlight. The garden got sun while he was at work!)

lisa · 12-26-2014, 02:06 PM

Hello there,
Last summer, I created strawbale raised beds and greatly enjoyed the process, the low-cost and the fruits of my labors. I chose raised beds due to the gopher problems in my town and did not wish to build wooden or other material beds. You want to get the straw, not hay, to insure limited wheat/grass growth in your raised garden beds.

The bales had three cords on them to keep them together. I cut the middle of the three and left the other two on to keep the bales in-tact.

The strawbales take some prep before you can put the soil and compost directly on top of the bales although after the few weeks of prep, they were ready for planting. I grew pumpkins, kale, lettuce, eggplant, arugula, and spinach with good success.

Here are a couple of links that talk more about it:
http://www.growandmake.com/straw_bale_garden
http://modernfarmer.com/2013/07/straw-bale-gardening/

Best wishes with your garden!
~Lisa

JessicaTX · 12-26-2014, 05:02 PM

I have a keyhole garden that sounds similar to what you are doing. It has a compost heap in the center of it. I set the blocks in a circle with a pie piece cut out. lined it with cardboard and then did layers of mulch, dirt, and compost. It's worked quite well for me!

CelticJourney · 12-26-2014, 05:03 PM

I keep thinking about the straw, but I think if bugs etc start moving around in there, the dogs would tear it apart.

mummy2boys · 12-28-2014, 10:03 PM

I will see if I can get onto the other computer today where all the photos are and see if I can upload photos of our raised beds. They are untreated wood we made about 5 years ago and they are great

me if I forget okay

CelticJourney · 12-28-2014, 10:04 PM

OK. Thanks!

I am concerned about wood because we have fire ants in this areas that seem to like the untreated wood...and everything else...darn ants.

11-22-2014, 02:22 PM	#1
CelticJourney Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 34,561	Organic raised beds.... I need to start an organic garden next year for my son's health. I need to do raised beds because of a nasty root vine that we can't seem to dig out. I am considering concrete blocks, lining the area with black plastic, then enough stones for drainage, then organic soil mixed with my neighbor's chicken maneurer (you know, I'm ok with not knowing the exact spelling of that word). I concerned the concrete blocks might have toxins that would leach out. Anyone know? Other suggestions? __________________ Elizabeth "Truth without love is divisive and hurtful & love without truth is anemic"--Pastor Estep Arise, cry out in the night...pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord; Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children..; Lamentations 2:19

11-23-2014, 01:41 AM	#2
ArmsOfLove Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 79,607	Re: Organic raised beds.... I wanted raised beds but we opted this year for pots. I have seen really awesome beds in the concrete blocks but I don't know about the leeching Hope someone has answers! __________________ Crystal "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." Maya Angelou

11-23-2014, 01:43 AM	#3
Soliloquy Rose Garden Why climb a mountain? Because it's there! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Selkirk Mountains Posts: 52,860	Re: Organic raised beds.... Concrete blocks seem fine. The main issue with raised beds is pressure-treated wood which contains (and leeches) arsenic.

12-02-2014, 10:26 AM	#4
greengirl19 Rose Trellis For G Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: close but not close enough to the beach Posts: 2,806	Re: Organic raised beds.... I have concrete block raised beds __________________ Wife to V since 5/19/07 my hard workin man Mom to G since 8/10/09 my crazy 10 yo Z since 9/10/13 my wild thing 6 yo Surprise! N born 2/8/16 terrific 4 yo my help comes from the Lord above

12-15-2014, 07:18 PM	#5
CelticJourney Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 34,561	Re: Organic raised beds.... Ok.....so I'm forming a plan....tell me if this will work... I plan to get blocks soon (I keep asking for them for Christmas ). I think I go ahead and get them in place, put down cardboard for weed control (I read that somewhere, stop me now if it's wrong) and then use the lawn mower to mulch the leaves and put them in the bottom to form a base. This way when spring comes I will have some of the work done and half the depth filled so that I don't have to fill the entire thing with expensive organic soil. Yes, no, way off base? __________________ Elizabeth "Truth without love is divisive and hurtful & love without truth is anemic"--Pastor Estep Arise, cry out in the night...pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord; Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children..; Lamentations 2:19

12-15-2014, 08:48 PM	#6
believer Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,130	Re: Organic raised beds.... I think that sounds ok. Do you compost? You could put your compost there on top of the cardboard and mulch and then cover it over when you add the dirt. __________________ Dana INTJ widow of Big Bear, mom to: B. - 16 y.o. dd J.-19yo ds M.- 25 (MIL to) A - 24 2 white cats, 3 dogs http://becauseisaidsothathswhy.blogspot.com/

12-20-2014, 09:56 PM	#8
lenswyf Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 9,047	Re: Organic raised beds.... Why don't you try a straw bale garden? Super easy, and you can put it on any surface. (I read about one guy who set up his garden in his pick-up truck because his home had no sunlight. The garden got sun while he was at work!) __________________ 'Come dear folk!' she said, taking Frodo by the hand. 'Laugh and be merry! I am Goldberry, daughter of the River.'

12-26-2014, 02:06 PM	#9
lisa Rosebud Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: California Posts: 50	Re: Organic raised beds.... Hello there, Last summer, I created strawbale raised beds and greatly enjoyed the process, the low-cost and the fruits of my labors. I chose raised beds due to the gopher problems in my town and did not wish to build wooden or other material beds. You want to get the straw, not hay, to insure limited wheat/grass growth in your raised garden beds. The bales had three cords on them to keep them together. I cut the middle of the three and left the other two on to keep the bales in-tact. The strawbales take some prep before you can put the soil and compost directly on top of the bales although after the few weeks of prep, they were ready for planting. I grew pumpkins, kale, lettuce, eggplant, arugula, and spinach with good success. Here are a couple of links that talk more about it: http://www.growandmake.com/straw_bale_garden http://modernfarmer.com/2013/07/straw-bale-gardening/ Best wishes with your garden! ~Lisa

12-26-2014, 05:02 PM	#10
JessicaTX Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Barrens of Texas Posts: 5,152	Re: Organic raised beds.... I have a keyhole garden that sounds similar to what you are doing. It has a compost heap in the center of it. I set the blocks in a circle with a pie piece cut out. lined it with cardboard and then did layers of mulch, dirt, and compost. It's worked quite well for me! __________________ Sam's wife Keegan, Zoe, Anakin and Anaiah's Mom Nonni to Jasper, Iris, Ivory, and Lyric!

12-26-2014, 05:03 PM	#11
CelticJourney Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 34,561	Re: Organic raised beds.... I keep thinking about the straw, but I think if bugs etc start moving around in there, the dogs would tear it apart. __________________ Elizabeth "Truth without love is divisive and hurtful & love without truth is anemic"--Pastor Estep Arise, cry out in the night...pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord; Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children..; Lamentations 2:19

12-28-2014, 10:03 PM	#12
mummy2boys Moderator in We'd Love to Meet You, Let's Talk, High Need/Spirited Children, Joyous Homekeeping, and The Cookbook Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 16,027	Re: Organic raised beds.... I will see if I can get onto the other computer today where all the photos are and see if I can upload photos of our raised beds. They are untreated wood we made about 5 years ago and they are great me if I forget okay __________________ Alysia Married to the love of my life Mama to 2 wonderful boys Waiting to meet 3 in heaven 2/2005, 5/2007 & 8/2011 Striving, with God's help, to be a gentle mother each day

12-28-2014, 10:04 PM	#13
CelticJourney Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 34,561	Re: Organic raised beds.... OK. Thanks! I am concerned about wood because we have fire ants in this areas that seem to like the untreated wood...and everything else...darn ants. __________________ Elizabeth "Truth without love is divisive and hurtful & love without truth is anemic"--Pastor Estep Arise, cry out in the night...pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord; Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children..; Lamentations 2:19

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