Backyard homestead raised bed trial.

Sorry that it has been so long since I have contributed. It has been busy here. As I am sure it has busy for everyone else as well. We started our raised bed project to take another step in being self-sustaining. I took a few pictures of the process.

I started with some inexpensive rough cut 1x8-8s and some blocks in the corners cut from 2x4s at about 6 inches. That way the the 2x4s were shorter then the 1x8s so I could interlock and stack the next layer.

Then I layed cardboard on the bottom as weedblock and to attract the worms. I put some older wood I had laying around that was already starting to break down, on top of the cardboard. This is to help with moisture retension and adding carbon.

I shoveled out my chicken coop and used the nitrogen/compost as my first layer of soil.

Of course the girls(chickens) insisted on helping with this part by spreading the compost.

Then I added another layer of 1x8s to the frame. And again left the 2x4s lower then the top of the 1x8 to allow for another interlocking layer in the future.

I made 2 more beds and shaped them in a horseshoe like shape so they all could be reached from walking down the 16" path in the middle.

I put a layer a last years compost on top and planted 8 different types of lettuce.

After the seeds sprouted, I cut cardboard into strips and placed them between the rows for moisture retension and weed control.

We were quite happy with the results in the first bed.

The next two are ready to go. I put hoops and poultry netting over them to keep out chickens and other critters. In all, each bed costs about $30 to build. I have cut at least $100 worth of lettuce from them.

I apologize again for not posting sooner, and thank you for your support.

Thank you,
Hollywood