texasmesquite

Jamie's new show? I got to see one show. I wanted to go outside and build a raised vegetable garden. How about you?

islandtime

I've been enjoying his new show, but then I've always liked Jamie and his enthusiasm. I've been gardening in raised beds for 6 years now, and it's one of the best methods. I have 4 beds, each 4'x 8', and I alternate crops to avoid nutrient deficiency. Right now I'm enjoying kale & collards. I've started spinach indoors to be transplanted outside next month, and will plant sugar snaps at that time also. There is a great deal of satisfaction going out to your garden and harvesting fresh ingredients for your next meal. Jamie's got the right idea, and I'm glad it's been turned into a show. Looking forward to the mushroom episode (Feb 2).

texasmesquite

Elle - That's wonderful you can do that. How high is your beds? Do you have them built up from a wooden frame?

islandtime

They are raised 1 foot, and are framed in wood. I treated the wood with a non-toxic sealer before laying them 6 yrs ago, so they would last longer. I also have a 4-ft high framed compost pile where I dump grass clippings, leaves, kitchen scraps (vegetable peelings, banana skins, egg shells, coffee grinds), which turns into the most wonderful rich compost. I pile that on the garden beds before each planting, enriching the soil and eliminating the need for fertilizer.

Forgot to mention I put in elephant garlic bulbs last fall, which will start growing sometime in late Feb/early March. I don't use much garlic, but will give a lot of it away when it's time to harvest in July.

One problem I encountered...stray cats using the beds as their litter box, but nipped that right away by periodically sprinkling very hot pepper (such as cayenne) all over. Doesn't hurt the plants or the cats, but they don't like it, and stay away. Works for squirrels, too!

texasmesquite

Thanks Elle for the information. I will remember the pepper flakes. My problem has been deer. I finally put wire cages around my newly planted pine trees (25) and they left them alone. I am thinking of doing treated landscape logs and make it 3 high.