[crazy.couter]

We have one bed we built with metal on inside and treated boards on outside, about 26 inches high. We used logs, limbs, heavy brush, grass to fill it about 2/3rds. I planted peppers in it and they did really well. Going to have to add soil in this spring it has dropped quite a bit.

Thanks for the reminder about the grazon. Couldn’t remember the name but saw video done by Danny on deep south homestead when he fed hay to his cows and used the manure on his gardens and had problems. I will ask stable owner about if the hay is sprayed.

[crazy.couter]

I have seen the Straw bale in the bed and thought about trying it, just never had aged straw when starting the beds. We live in northwest PA so a lot of dry weather is not a normal problem. I have thought about drip irrigation. We have a tank to gather rain water so water would be free. We have a well but recently found out its high in Manganese which may affect water uptake of plants. We moved last June and put in a few raised beds to grow a few things after our move and 2 beds to plant garlic. We are reestablishing the rest of the beds this spring. Spinach, Chard, Kale, Cabbage, Broccoli and cauliflower seedling are about ready to be planted outside. I have been considering doing ground raised beds like Charles Dowdling. Would be much cheaper since most of the wood from old bed had to be burnt. Would probably have the same advantage as regular raised beds but possibly solve my water retention issue. I grew up with the large garden of rows method and weeding was something I did not enjoy. My favorite part of raised beds is how easy weeding is. Thanks for the Information.