raised beds

[jennh]

I had gotten 96 concrete blocks to build four 4 x 4 raised beds. :weight Here are two sketches that I quickly drew. Does anyone have an opinion , preference with one over the other, and why? I need to get this built QUICKLY, so I can get my 'mator, zucchini and cucumber plants in.

I am planning to leave a grass strip in between for ease of mowing for now. I might do something else instead of grass later. right now I need it done ASAP !! :bee

Thanks!!!!!

 

[patandchickens]

Wait, that's not a burn barrel you will be using during the growing season, is it?

If so, I'd keep the beds much further away. Roasted tomatoes are good; roasted tomato PLANTS, not so much LOL

As far as the two designs, they are basically the same just rotated (although one has points of beds towards burn barrel, other has sides towards it) so it seems to me it just depends on what would look/work best with the REST of your yard.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[beavis]

Instead of 4 x 4, I would do 2 X 8.

Only because I find it hard to tend to a 4 x 4 bed for weeding, planting.....

 

[journey11]

I know that's probably not to scale, but how close are you to the burn barrel? I have a fire-pit about 15 feet from one of my apple trees and with the wind blowing the wrong way, I managed to scorch the backside of my poor tree's branches this spring.

3' in is as far as I can reach, leaning. But you'll be able to move around to the other side, so your squares shouldn't be a problem.

 

[jennh]

I know that's probably not to scale, but how close are you to the burn barrel? I have a fire-pit about 15 feet from one of my apple trees and with the wind blowing the wrong way, I managed to scorch the backside of my poor tree's branches this spring.

3' in is as far as I can reach, leaning. But you'll be able to move around to the other side, so your squares shouldn't be a problem.

No. it's not to scale LOL I just drew it quickly. There is going to be 2 feet the whole way around the burn barrel, and two feet paths between the beds. I know there will lots more # between the two "sets" of 4 X 4s. I made them 4 X 4 so I can reach in from all sides. DH is working hard on making them level
There are no trees nearby, it's out in the open. I have a nice long hose in case I need it ever, though. If I put one tomato plant in the middle of each raised bed, there will be about 4 feet between the plant and the barrel. At least 'til the plant gets big. That is if I ever get them planted

 

[patandchickens]

Just 2' away from the burn barrel is almost certainly going to be a problem, unless you don't use the burn barrel til the garden is completely done for the year.

A lot of HEAT can come off those things, partway sideways when there's a bit of a breeze.

Pat

 

[SweetMissDaisy]

Maybe instead of the burn barrel in the center, you could do a round bed for 1 tomato plant. Or a bed of strawberries.

 

[SweetMissDaisy]

..... or a teepee trellis for pole beans!!

 

[jennh]

:tools Thanx for the replies! The burn barrel has been there a couple of years, that's why it's not a teepee, or anything else! I just needed room for some raised beds, that's the only space that was available that gets full sun. DH is out there now ( in the 90 deg) filling them with compost so I can at least get a couple in later this evening. I will post pics

 

[Collector]

good luck, My vote would be for pic #1, seems easier to do lawn work around!