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vercetti2021

(10,150 posts)
Mon Apr 26, 2021, 03:13 AM Apr 2021

Raised Garden bed set up

So I'm asking for help on this. I'm making a raised bed this year for my vegetables. I wanted to expand my garden and need more room. So my cousin has his set up with your basic 2x6 planks. He did a full 2x6x8 on it, two planks on both sides. I wanted to make mine just 2x6x5 since I don't have a lot of room. But this is all pretty basic and I know this already.

But when it comes to this, should I use landscaping fabric to cover the bottom and sides? And should I use big push tacks or staples to keep it in?

Also I want to rig a PVC sprinkler system, and I legit do not know how to do piping like this. I see a lot of designs. But I need a simple design to mount the piping to the back and have a sprinkler on both sides.

You can tell I've never done something like this before.

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Raised Garden bed set up (Original Post) vercetti2021 Apr 2021 OP
Have you checked you tube, V? SheltieLover Apr 2021 #1
Checked YouTube countless times vercetti2021 Apr 2021 #4
I wouldn't use it on the bottom. Definitely Phoenix61 Apr 2021 #2
Okay vercetti2021 Apr 2021 #3
I pulled out everything that was growing Phoenix61 Apr 2021 #5
on the weeds - Kali Apr 2021 #6
I bought a great kit - 2 planters - rolling carts - waist height Laura PourMeADrink Apr 2021 #7
I just put in new garden beds. I used wood one year and it lasted @ 2 years in VA. 58Sunliner May 2021 #8

vercetti2021

(10,150 posts)
4. Checked YouTube countless times
Mon Apr 26, 2021, 07:24 AM
Apr 2021

Pinterest, lowes.com, tons of different DIY sites I just can't find anything like I'm imagining in my head. I mean obviously you go with 3/4 PVC piping for this. I'm going to have to probably design this myself.

But mainly it's just how am I going to make sure that no weeds come up? I mean I could use chicken wire but that's really expensive and I need like do this on a budget

Phoenix61

(16,949 posts)
2. I wouldn't use it on the bottom. Definitely
Mon Apr 26, 2021, 05:10 AM
Apr 2021

need it on the sides or the dirt will wash out between the boards.

vercetti2021

(10,150 posts)
3. Okay
Mon Apr 26, 2021, 06:22 AM
Apr 2021

I had a worry about weeds growing up from the bottom, reason I wanted to use it on the bottom. What would be best to prevent weeds?

Phoenix61

(16,949 posts)
5. I pulled out everything that was growing
Mon Apr 26, 2021, 09:00 AM
Apr 2021

there and dumped dirt on top. I’ve not had anything come up although we’d appear on the top from time to time.

Kali

(54,990 posts)
6. on the weeds -
Mon Apr 26, 2021, 01:32 PM
Apr 2021

that depends where you are. some weeds are blocked by fabric, others not so much though it will slow it down. talking about you, bermuda grass!

I did some fabric grow pots last year and just set them on the plastic bags my soil came in. that worked pretty well but again depends on climate, local vegetation, drainage etc.

not sure what your design is for pvc, but it is incredibly easy to work with and fairly cheap (to fix breaks or mistakes) especially if you have ever dealt with metal plumbing! you will think you have gone to heaven.

 

Laura PourMeADrink

(42,770 posts)
7. I bought a great kit - 2 planters - rolling carts - waist height
Mon Apr 26, 2021, 04:56 PM
Apr 2021

I love them. So easy to tend to. Yes, you need the fabric liner. Since mine have wooden bottoms, needed drainage holes.

Do you really need a watering system? Could it take more than a couple min to water?

58Sunliner

(4,339 posts)
8. I just put in new garden beds. I used wood one year and it lasted @ 2 years in VA.
Fri May 7, 2021, 07:37 PM
May 2021

I would use galvanized metal if possible. I do have Bermuda grass and I struggled with it because my sides were not high enough, and it grew under as well. What a hassle. I now have beds min 24 inches high and wood chips around my beds. I also use cardboard around them as well under the chips. I get it from the recycle dumpster of an appliance store-2 layers thick and I use landscape pins to hold it down. If you have a good exposure and are not grossly affected by shading within the bed using a higher side wall, then I would do so. You may not have to fill it very much. I would use cardboard instead of landscape fabric in the bed bottom and don't pin it. Roots will bind in the fabric. You might look at auctions in your area. I picked up 48" x 48" x 96" galvanized shelving units from a commercial business that we cut in half and reinstalled the center shelf for a wall support. I paid @$18.00 per unit for 18 gauge steel.

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