Outdoor Storage » Greenhouse

Raised Bed Vegetable and Flower Gardens

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:43:12 +0000

The popularity of urban gardening has exploded over the past couple of years, due in part to increased awareness about food safety, the financial stresses of the economy and a growing desire to be eco-friendly.

Some of the most enjoyable, user-friendly gardens, like vegetable and herb gardens or cut-flower gardens, perform exceptionally well in raised beds. Plants tend to perform better in raised beds than in regular beds because there is less soil compaction (since you’re not treading between the plants) and they allow for excellent drainage.

“I’ve been gardening in raised beds for over 30 years, and I’m convinced they’re the best way to grow,” says Paul James, HGTV’s Gardener Guy. “One of the things I like most about raised beds is that they warm up faster in spring and stay warmer longer in the fall, which means a longer growing season and an extended harvest.”

While raised beds are extremely functional, they can also add style to your yard or garden. The organized appearance of the beds lends a handsome structural element. A small vinyl storage shed will keep your garden tools, fertilizers, hoses and other paraphernalia organized and out of sight.

Quality, durable materials last longer and look better. Western Red Cedar is a strong choice for building garden beds because it is easy to work with, rot-resistant and ages beautifully, maintaining its shape and strength over the years, even when exposed to extreme weather. If you’re concerned about the environment, you can take comfort in the fact that it is an authentically sustainable, renewable green building material.

Making your own raised garden beds is an easy and fun project – having a helper will make the job easier. Follow these tips and get growing.

* Plan ahead to keep the bed size manageable. A bed measuring about 3 feet by 6 feet is a good size. You’ll want the bed to be at least a foot high – if you want it higher, just add another board, but keep in mind that you’ll need to add extra soil.

* Buy the materials you’ll need: Western Red Cedar boards (2 x 6 work well) – four 3-foot lengths and four 6-foot lengths; Western Red Cedar posts (4 x 4), for corner supports, cut to 18 inches each; 3-inch galvanized screws, about 35 to 40.

* Cut the ends of the 18-inch post lengths to a sharp point with a saw – these pointed ends will go into the soil to support the bed.

* Lay two post lengths down and place two 3-foot planks on top of them (to equal 12 inches in height) and line up the edges along the sides and to the top of the posts (the unsharpened end). Pre-drill holes using a bit that is smaller than the screws, then put in the screws. Repeat with the other 3-foot boards and 18-inch posts to form the other short end of the bed.

* Now you’re ready to add the long sides of the bed. Place one of the short sections you just made on a level surface, with the pointed ends up. Line one of the 6-foot boards up so that it is flush with the face of the short end, pre-drill holes and then add the screws to secure it. Repeat with a second 6-foot board to equal 12 inches in height.

* Align the second short (3-foot) side of the box with the 6-foot board so that the face is flush with the end of the boards. Pre-drill holes and then drill in screws to secure. Finally, add the other two 6-foot boards on the opposite side to complete the final side of the bed.

* Flip the box over – it’s now ready to install. Before you put it in, prep the area you’ll be using by turning over the soil and then leveling it out as best you can. After you’ve installed the box, fill it with a blend of soil and compost that is best for the type of plants you’ll be growing.

This is just one way to build a raised bed garden. You can add more boards to give the bed extra height or length, or put a cap on top of the boards to provide a place to sit as you garden.

Neptune 4-Tier Mini Greenhouse

admin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:54:53 +0000

NEPTUNE
4 Reviews
Greenouse
4 Tier
$46.99
4 tier mini greenhouse. Wire grid shelving and a roll-up door. Sets up in minutes. No hardware required.
Get It Now

Ideal for year-round gardening. A transparent plastic covering, wire grid shelving and a roll-up door for efficient access. Greenhouse comes with clear plastic cover. Portable.

Sets up in minutes, easy to assemble interlocking steel tubular frame (comes with instructions for assembly. The shelf can be removed. Wire grid shelving allows air to circulate. Heavyweight plastic covering has zipper and roll-up door for easy access. Covering increases greenhouse temperatures.

Gardman 5 Tier Heavy-Duty Greenhouse

admin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:22:38 +0000

GARDMAN
2 Reviews
5 Tier Greenhouse
Heavy Duty
$53.76
Sturdy and robust construction. Extra tall for better accessibility.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars GARDMAN 5 Tier Heavy-Duty Growhouse, August 19, 2009
By F. Malmgren
This is an excellent Product. It is very sturdy on level surface. It slants a bit after some heavy sun exposure on an uneven surface. However, no ventilation when zipped up brings the rating down from five to four. Anybody purchasing this product should consider adding a fan to avoid mold. I would also add two holes at the top covered by insects netting to allow some moisture to escape. The frame also allow for adding your own automated mist system which makes the product self maintaining.

I’ve grown 12 different types of hot peppers, cabbage, cucumber, onion, tomatoes, corn, and everything sprouts in matter of days.

Gardman Rainbow Garden R687 4-Tier Mini Greenhouse

admin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:14:26 +0000

Gardman
8 Reviews
Mini Greenhouse
Model: R687
$45.95
The Gardman Four Tier Mini Greenhouse can be positioned on a deck, patio, or balcony. It has a sturdy, tubular steel frame and a removable, clear plastic cover with full length roll up zippered access.
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Why ship fruits, veggies, flowers and herbs from afar when you can grow them right at home? Of course, getting a jumpstart on the growing season, as well as extending it into the fall, is always a plus. Ideal for pollinating plants, protecting starts, and displaying flora in full sun, this 4-tier mini greenhouse fits in the corner of the garden, on the deck, patio or balcony with ease. Its sturdy, tubular steel frame offers plenty of support for pots and trays. A removable, clear plastic cover with full-length, roll-up zippered front panel retains solar energy to bolster growth while making it easy to install and remove plants.

A fleece cover keeps plants alive when temperatures bottom out at -8 degrees F. Polypropylene construction ensures years of reliable use and won’t fade or crack in sun. Assembled in minutes with no tools needed, the purchase includes clear setup instructions.

Gardman R688 Walk-In Greenhouse

admin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:07:54 +0000

Gardman

Walk-In Greenhouse
Model R688
$99.65
Construct a temporary greenhouse right in your own backyard.
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Extend your growing season with a Gardman Complete Walk-In Greenhouse Kit. A greenhouse offers the plant enthusiast the advantage of earlier blooms and crops. Its controlled environment will allow your plants to thrive in a more even temperature and is perfect for cheating the weather. This kit includes everything needed to construct a walk-in greenhouse. The innovative polycarbonate glazing is safer than glass, offering no danger to children or pets.

The glazing’s twin-wall design is excellent for insulating and diffuses light to prevent scorching of young and delicate plants. The galvanized steel frame and aluminum frame are coated after drilling to leave no untreated edges behind. The steel base bolts together securely to form a stable, level foundation, while its thick metal creates five extra inches of head room. The Gardman Complete Walk-In Greenhouse will form the perfect safe haven for your plants. Install this greenhouse on a level surface to ensure proper assembly.