How are your timber-framed veggie beds holding up? Mine, after more than a decade of faithful service, finally succumbed to the deteriorating effects of sun, rain, snow and ice. I recently tossed out the world-weary wood out and replaced it with new. But this time around, I did not build the beds myself. Instead, I bit the bullet and hired out the job to someone who actually possesses some carpentry skills! Meet the beds and the bed-builder in my latest action-packed video:
Thank you for watching! As mentioned, the new 8-feet by 4-feet beds are composed of rough-hewn (or “rough-cut”) hemlock, just as the old beds were. Hemlock is rot-resistant. The 2-feet by 8-feet beds that flank the central path are made of pine. The pine was replaced a few years ago, and is not currently in need of replacement. By this time next year the hemlock with display a lovely silver patina, just as the pine does now.
Also as mentioned, the beds are filled with equal parts top soil, sand, and composted manure. To insure continued fertility, most years I top off the beds with shredded leaves. As the leaves break down, they become “leaf mold” — the best soil amendment on the planet. Click here to read all about the benefits of leaf mold.
If you’d like to create a raised bed garden, please know that I have some helpful ideas for you! Click here for details.
Now back to my original question. How are your raised beds holding up? Are they due for replacement, just as those in my Kitchen Garden were? Talk to me in the comments field below. xKevin
Sandra Payette says
Great improvement, Kevin. John is a good man definitely a keeper. He does beautiful work. Your garden will be top notch this summer. Looking forward to some summer recipes from the harvest. You go, Kevin. xo
Mary Farrell says
Mine are holding up well, but they’re only 5 years old and made of 10″ Douglas fir boards. I has decent composted soil to begin with, so I didn’t need to import any. My neighbor, who is a professional wood joiner built them for me after I bought the lumber and the galvanized deck screws. I wish I had as much land as you do. I have only 4 beds, 2 are 4 x 12, and 2 are 3 x 12. I also do have 7 arches made of cattle panels which allows me to grow many things vertically, like squash and sweet potatoes which sprawl over entire beds if not trellised. Those new beds look gorgeous, but my favorite was seeing the beautiful lovage. Stay safe and well.
Karen Harght says
Hi Kevin, Could you please give me an answer on how to irrigate my raised bed. I have never been happy with drip hoses. And a sprinkler is a inefficient method of watering. Any preferences or ideas? I was thinking of making my own.
Thanks!
Karen
Amy says
I have a similar set up of raised beds but I also added large galvanized troughs that I plant in as well as 8 potato bags. I have a large windmill as the centerpiece in my garden and a small greenhouse to start my seeds. I’m adding a galvanized slop sink this year to wash all my harvest. I have peas, carrots, spinach and lettuce started under cold frames. (I’m zone 5b also.) while this is a way of life for me I am very thankful to be able to grow food for my family during this uncertain time! Love all your videos and posts, keep them coming!
Jeane says
I liked seeing the lovage, too. I planted lovage in my garden last year and am still waiting to see it appear again this spring, hoping it will grow big and tall (because I’ve tried actual celery a few times and had no luck with it. My garden beds were built with scrap lumber so it was no surprise they started rotting after just a few years. Last year I rebuilt all my raised beds with concrete blocks. I’m hoping to expand soon and put in three or four more . . .
Mary m says
hi Kevin,
gorgeous new beds, but I admit I was too distracted by the idea that you have someone doing them for you… obviously you are not as worried about Covid 19 in your neck of the woods as we are here in Canada… I rushed thru the video and was very happy and relieved to see that you did not seem to be near your builder…. I still think you should be staying in your own beautiful home and grounds with NO visitors until we are all free of this pandemic…
Kevin, do not wait until this strikes nearer to you… please keep yourself and your loved ones safe by physical distancing and avoiding unnecessary errands and staying away from people….Covid 19 is no joke… it is ravaging the world.!!
Mary M, Newfoundland, Canada
Belinda says
Kevin,
Our entire ADK garden is designed with inspiration from yours and, despite the sometimes rough weather, I’m happy to tell you it has been productive. However, our Hemlock boards are rotting at the corners. I sometimes think it is because we did not add enough sand to the mix. My husband is thinking that in a couple of years when we rebuild our boxes, he will try adding a 4 x 4 post in each corner and screwing each side into that. Any thoughts? With this virus, I’m not sure if we will make it to our NY home this year. I wish you continued success. Keep eating those healthy vegetables. I have learned so much from you and I hope you and Silver Fox stay safe through this virus scare.
Carolyn says
I love your emails Kevin! I had 4 beds built in pine about 5 years ago. After 2 years they really started to show their age. I bought steel hardware corners & drilled them to each box & that has helped me get more years out of them. I wonder if you were to drill these to your beautiful new boxes, if it wouldn’t make them last longer. Mine are kind of goofy because I thought of this way too late. Of course, I am in Arizona & we don’t even know what humidity is!
Joan says
The raised beds are beautiful. What type of fence surrounds the garden?
Teresa says
Did you put anything under your soil like land scaping plastic or is it just plain ground. We are going to do raised beds this year.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Joan – Fence is wire mesh attached to pressure-treated posts. For more details, click the link beneath the final photo in this post.
Hi Teresa – I put cardboard under the beds before adding soil. Landscaping fabric will work as well. More details about the creation of this Kitchen Garden can be found by clicking the link beneath the final photo of this post. Have fun with your project!
Suzanne Hulme says
Hi Kevin! I love your blog. Here on Long Island, hemlock is not easy to obtain, and cedar is pricey. Would you be able to share where you purchased your hemlock? I sometimes drive through upstate for sailing regattas and I would like to be able to stop and get hemlock.
Thank you so much, and please keep posting!
mary ann kirchoff says
I enjoyed your video and I’m envious of your garden. I look forward to seeing how your garden grows. Vincennes, Indiana. Zone 6a/6b.
Ellen Collins says
Kevin, how wonderful your new garden beds look! I always love to watch your videos and always gain knowledge and enjoyment from them. Keep up the good work. I do have a question about lovage…as in, what exactly is it? I am totally unfamiliar with it. Do you just use it in place of celery or in what other ways can it be cooked or eaten?
Ellin says
They look beautiful, Kevin. Totally jealous. Some of mine are coming apart and they’re not all that old but I’m not replacing them yet. I wish I could afford to have someone else make them but I’m considering placing my house on the market so I have to see if that happens. Of course, I’ll wait until this pandemic is over. Love your videos and I thank you for your generosity.
Dot says
And how nice it is to have an actual shaded sitting area to admire your new raised beds! What a great idea! I KNOW you will be enjoying and sharing great recipes from all the wonderful food items that you will lovingly grow in your new raised beds!
Thanks for sharing!
Debbie Castelli says
Hi Kevin,
Enjoyed the video. I just had new garden beds made also though my space is much more limited. I don’t have the watering system you have but would certainly like to. I could not tell from the video if the tubing goes underneath the wood to hook up to the water or what. I’d appreciate an explanation so maybe I can do the same.
Thanks
Frieda Hickman says
Did you put landscape fabric under the raised beds?
Wish John was in Missouri. Looks Great!!
carol mccorkle says
Is there a video of your irrigation layout for the raised beds? Thanks, Carol