Planning a Summer Garden Day #2: Building Garden Boxes

Oh how I wish I could build on what I had done last year! A friend of mine had a plot that she rented and this was how it looked. But this year, I get to start from scratch. That's the joy of being a military spouse.

I have learned not to shirk...otherwise I'd never do anything. Instead, it's my policy to go for it! So here is my plan:

3-8 ft. x 4ft. boxes in my back yard. **Ended up only having energy enough to build 2 large boxes, at least for now.
1-2 ft. x 8ft. box for herbs in the front yard. Possible to convert to a cold weather box.
**I used wood that is 10 inches deep (on it's side) but that's not really necessary. I found out I could have easily gone with 8 in. wide for depth.

Here is the way my yard looked starting out:

1. Things to consider as you decide box size and location of your garden.

Sun.

It's important to place your boxes where they will get the most sun. Once your dirt is in them they aren't moveable, at least not easily. (Vegetable gardens need 6-8 hrs of sun daily.) Take into consideration that trees now may have no leaves but they will later in the season. Imagine what areas may be shaded in the summer though they aren't right now.

Logistics.

Choose a spot that is convenient, accessible, and appealing to you.

Expense.

Time and money. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Start small when it comes to size. You can always add boxes later this year, in the fall or next year. Soil preparation is the most work and it may take more dirt to fill your box than you anticipate. Be sure that you aren't making more boxes than what you can afford to fill.

Size.

Now, keep in mind if you're a first time gardener that this is a fairly big garden I am planning.The only reason I can start with such a sizable amount is because I have been greatly blessed this year. My landlords are so supportive and even helped me obtain soil! In addition, I have wonderful military spouse friends contributing financially as well as helping me plan, prepare, and doing some labor too. If I was doing this alone I'd be starting out much smaller, say one 4 x 4 ft. square.

2. Purchase materials.

All I needed for these boxes was the lumber and nails. The cuts were done for me at the lumberyard. I like to make my garden as affordable as possible because expenses can really add up!

IMPORTANT: DO NOT buy treated wood for your garden if you plan to eat anything out of it. Chemicals will leach into your food.

 

3. Build it.

A little harder for me were the larger boxes. I built the first and my husband and son built the second.

One more step to go and the hardest part is over! Then the fun begins.

Coming Tomorrow: Prepare Your Soil. 

 This part is the hardest work in my opinion but so important. Don't skip this step!

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