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Digging Deeper: Garden Bed Construction, Building an Elevated Planter
Master Gardeners Patty Bacon and Roger Steinert
July 11 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Gardening should bring enjoyment, not discomfort. As we age or experience physical limitations, some gardening tasks can become more challenging. One of the first steps in gardening for life is to make gardening more accessible by bringing the garden up to the gardener.
Patty Bacon and Roger Steinert, two talented carpenters, have built many amazing structures for the Woodcock Accessible Garden, including elevated beds. On July 11, starting at 10a.m. Patty and Roger will present a Digging Deeper presentation; they will talk about tools and materials for building planters. They will demonstrate the construction of a small three-by-four cedar elevated planter, giving tips on planning and proper assembly. To keep it lightweight, they will use one-inch locally sourced cedar for the bed with a reinforced bottom and sturdy legs.
Elevated beds are basically raised beds on legs. They are made with a sturdy bottom to support the weight of the soil. The height reduces bending, and the open space underneath the bed can be designed to allow room for a chair or wheelchair so gardeners can sit comfortably. The depth of the elevated bed should be limited to about 8 to 12 inches. The weight of the soil can be considerable, particularly when wet. Raised beds are ideal for shallow-rooted crops or flowers. Many, such as lettuce, arugula, spinach, and strawberries, can grow in as little as six inches of soil.
For added fun, the finished 3 by 4 elevated cedar planter will be auctioned off to the highest bidder at the conclusion of the program at 11:30 a.m.! Bids will start at $150 (to cover the cost of materials), cash, check, or credit card will be accepted.
The presentation is free and no registration is required. Dress for the weather, as the program is held outdoors.
