My Backyard Organic Fruit and Vegetable Garden (MBOFVG) 2011

The original bed needs some attention--the kale has gone to seed and the soil looks like the wood chips used to fill playground areas.

The new bed has the exact dimensions of the original and was constructed using the same materials and methods. The key difference is the depth (height) of the frame. This frame was sunk in almost four inches instead of sitting on the surface of the ground. This saved me from having to procure 20 cubic feet of soil, PLUS I will be using the clayey, water-retaining soil that was already there. This should pay off in increased soil life and a reduced need for irrigation. I did work in six cubic feet of compost. I also had to use the sod I tore out as temporary mulch since that was the only suitable (free) material I had. Take a look:





Now all we need is some warmer weather.