Raised beds can be a wonderful addition to your vegetable garden. They could also be your vegetable garden. Many types of plants can be grown in raised beds.

A raised bed can be a blessing for those with bad backs, sore knees or other ailments. They may be able to allow people to continue gardening who otherwise could not.

Gardening in a raised bed provides ease of maintenance. No rototiller is required.

The elevated nature of the bed allows the soil to warm earlier in the spring. This means an earlier start to the growing season. Since you don’t walk in the raised bed there is a reduction in soil compaction. A good soil mix is easy to maintain because you control what you fill the beds with. Any amendments you add remain right there in the bed.

Features can be built into the beds that allow for easy additions of frost protection, row covers and shade cloth. This feature will allow you to extend your growing time in the fall as well.

Next we’ll discuss options of what to plant in a raised bed. I’ll also include the basic steps for constructing your own raised bed[s].

Stay tuned!

I’ll see you in the backyard!

This is my favorite part of the spring season.

My garden is nearly all planted. All that is left are the pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn and a row of sunflowers.

The landscape project I was working on has been completed.

Now I have time for the fun stuff. Watching it all grow!

It is also time to begin the smaller projects, I’m planning an arbor to grow birdhouse gourds on. I want to build a raised bed to plant more raspberries in. I’ve also been working on a couple of rain barrels. I have lots of project ideas.

I’d better hurry before the weeds start to grow!

I’ll see you in the backyard!

The project is done! It was completed for only $204.

You can see all the details on my LANDSCAPE ON A BUDGET page.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I was cleaning up the patio in preparation for the Memorial Day weekend.

It just needed a couple tiny weeds removed from the cracks and a layer of sand swept into the joints in a few places. Spraying it down with the hose completed the task.

I thought I would pass on a few tips for repairing any damage to your patio.

This tip will work for you whether you’re replacing a broken block or just raising an area that may have sunk. It is very easy to remove a broken patio stone. You don’t have to worry about breaking it. If the block is undamaged I try to put screwdrivers on opposing sides and lift the block out. When the base has been repaired you are ready to reinstall, or install a new, block.

I like to use a bar clamp when reinstalling that block. When the clamp is reversed it acts as a spreader. By placing the spreader in the opening, you can attempt to give yourself a tiny bit more room by opening up the space slightly. This helps a lot when installing a block somewhere other than an edge. A small block will just drop in place.

If you are using larger blocks it takes more effort to place one without damaging the base or your fingers. By using the bar clamp as a clamp you can prevent those problems. Clamp onto the block as high as you can while keeping a grip on it. Place the block into its place and release the clamp. It should drop perfectly into place.

Once you’re sure the repair is satisfactory sweep sand into the cracks and wash it in.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I will have the first landscape on a budget project completed soon.

It has taken some time as I’ve been looking for extra ways to save. Another reason is that I’ve added to my project. I have saved enough to  stretch  a little more out of my budget.

I should be finished and have a complete report after this Memorial day weekend. I will also be posting some pictures of the project.

If you go to the LANDSCAPE ON A BUDGET page you will see a recent post regarding my budget for this project.

A quick tip- Perennials make a great addition to the landscape.They are rather inexpensive to buy by the flat. They grow quickly and look wonderful in the landscape.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I just finished sharpening the blades on my electric chipper/shredder. I had expected it to be much more difficult than it was. This was the first time I’ve had to do it.

I was anticipating having to remove the cutter head and then the individual blades. I was able to remove the cutter head with just one bolt. The blades stayed right in place while I sharpened them with a small file.

The whole process only took about five minutes.

It sure is easier to maintain our power equipment than repair it.

Quick tip: When sharpening a blade I always file from the cutting edge -away from the blade. This prevents any chance of the cutting edge becoming rounded by the file. I use this approach with all blades.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

What types of things can be added to a compost pile? Many things from the house as well as the yard and garden.

I keep a five quart ice cream pail under the kitchen sink. This is where I keep all the kitchen scraps until it is emptied into the compost pile.

Most kitchen scraps can be composted. Examples include spoiled fruits and vegetables, fruit and vegetable scraps, stale bread, peanut shells and coffee grounds to name a few. You’ll be amazed at how many things can be composted.

Meat scraps are not recommended for composting, or anything with high salt or sugar contents.

Shredded paper makes a wonderful addition to the compost pile. With a heavy duty paper shredder you can even shred light cardboard. From cereal boxes to cake mix boxes- and everything in between.

Adding a layer of shredded paper on top of kitchen scraps helps to keep any odors down.

Weeds, small pruning scraps and garden waste can be added to the pile. Sod scraps, straw and pine needles can be added as well. You will find many items to add from your yard and garden.

I add some grass clippings and leaves, but use those mostly for garden mulch.

An occasional addition of fertile soil adds beneficial “stuff” to the pile.

As your container fills up, turn the material occasionally. I found that a second container is a great help. The compost mixes well while being shoveled from one container to another. You may even find yourself wanting to add a third container. This is helpful to start a new batch while the other is being mixed between two containers.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

How do I start composting?

I have been asked that question a number of times. It is very easy to do. But before I describe how to go about it, lets talk about how it works.

Decomposition of organic matter is a natural process. We can speed it up by composting. This is done by adding a variety of items to the pile while maintaining some control over heat and moisture.

Heat is created in the composting process. When heat is lost in a compost pile it needs to be turned and mixed. Try to keep the materials as moist as a wrung out sponge.

I began my first compost pile in a garbage can. That is still the method I use today.

Start by finding a suitable location for your container. Add a layer of soil or sand in the bottom to keep the container from blowing over in the wind. Keeping the lid secured keeps the rain out as well as any wild visitors.

In part two I will provide a list of some items for composting. Some tips will be included to help you be successful.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I just completed building and installing a trellis in my front landscape. This is a part of my ongoing landscape on a budget project.

My total cost for this project was absolutely nothing.

I had a small pile of boards from a piece of stockade fence stored behind my garage.  Three of these boards were used as the uprights. Two more were cut in half and used as cross braces. The boards were screwed together to form a trellis six feet high and three feet wide.

I dug three small holes to anchor the trellis. A used fence post I had on hand was driven in behind the trellis for extra support. The stake was secured to the trellis.

Morning Glories and Sweet Peas were sown around the base.

This is an easy project with wonderful results. Re-using the boards gives a weathered look. This project doesn’t even require a tape measure. Any cuts  or uprights that are crooked seem to add to its charm.

When renovating or adding to a landscape, the goal is to make it look like whatever was added has always been there. This project accomplishes that.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

There are times we forget things. What variety of tomato was our favorite last year? What was the name of that plant by the garage?

Here’s a suggestion to help with that.

When adding a new plant to the landscape, note its location and name on a sheet of paper. Keep the paper in a three ring binder. Take the tag from that new plant and punch or drill a small hole through it. It can then go in the binder as well.

You’ll not only have a name and location, but all the information pertaining to the plant. The best part is it will be all in one place.

This same procedure will work in the vegetable garden as well.

I’ll see you in the backyard!