New Raised Bed Planters

So this spring we purchased a new miter saw! So first thing I wanted to build were some raised bed planters.

So I got a load of Cedar.

And started to build. It's my first time working with wood so extensively so big learning curve. Also in this pic you can see my new cordless drill!

Done one... 

 Done two! I designed them so you can push the support stakes into the ground to hold them in place.

 I sold these two on Facebook like the same day I made them just from bragging. I'm building all kinds of stuff for the house, yard and garden now.

Have a great day!
Ian

Great Fern Move of 2015

So about a month ago I decided to save and move some Ferns from the front of the yard where we are doing some landscaping to the back yard. I got the 2 biggest bunches and 2 smaller ones I think. The big bunches have big seed pods on them so I hope even if they don't survive the move so late in the season that the seeds will start new next year.

 I found a worm in the roots of the Ferns. We have a large amount of worms in our yard so anytime I dig up anything I find worms.

 Here they are on the north side of out garage. I know they like shade and I hope they do fine here.

Unfortunately, most of the leaves have died off but I still have hopes the seeds will take hold.

Have a great day,
Ian

Dead Strawberry Plants ALIVE!

So last year we dumped our strawberry plants out of the pots into the back yard. They were not doing very well because they didn't like wintering in the pots even though I kept them in the garage covered and off the floor.

Just last week I found a berry growing off one of the 4 plants that survived the winter outside.

 The area looked like hell so I decided to clean it up.

 Then I decided to go step further because I found a bunch of runners under the weeds.

 I put a raised bed planter box around it made of cedar with some cardboard to help stop the weeds.

 To my surprise I found a second strawberry under the leaves. My wife is upset because I ate both of them and didn't save any for her BUT as you can see there are a few more strawberries already on the way!

 The finally product looks good although I think by the end of next year this planter may be full of plants...but that is ok!

Have a great day!
Ian

Spring is Coming!

Spring is Coming!

So...I have no plan for this growing season!

If I see berry plants at the store this year I will by a few and just drop them in the yard some place.

I also need to work on my landscaping and drainage around the house. There are a few big cracks in our foundation caused by a tree right next to the house that was cut down before we moved in. This 60 year old house has all the dirt settling around it and now all the rain water flows to the house not away.

When the grading is done the platforms for rain collection barrels can be installed. Although, I really don't think I will get this far this year.

We have some other drainage issues around the yard that may need fixing also in addition to the creation of a second parking stall for my truck.

I love the idea of raised beds but along with that I want plants that will grow every year with very little tending or replanting. I have heard a bit about "Survival Gardens".

Survival Gardens seem to be from the prepper community as a way to have a secret garden in plane sight. Why can't the average person with a yard do a similar thing? I'm not necessarily looking to make it secret but maintenance free would be great!

I'm going to order this book to get me started!




Have a great day!
Ian