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Raised Beds & zucchini solution

Richard,

We solved our zucchini/space problems by cutting 3' circles in our yard,
dug out the sod, and augmented the soil with compost, peat moss and
vermiculite as well as a  bit of manure (not too much) Then we planted 3
zucchini or squash seeds in the center and let it go. The zucchini does
sprawl and starts taking over the lawn, but I still have all of my square
foot space. This is the same method we use for pole beans -- we make a
teepee, and for climbing cucumbers. Maybe this will help.

Last year we added a 5 x 12' raised bed to our garden. Our other bed is 10
x 12 divided into 6 squares w/ a 2' walk down the center. We used the
raised bed for root crops and basil. The root crops turned out well since
the soil was brand new, loose and rock free. Our neighbor bought a dump
truck load of new river bottom soil and had a lot left over so we got free,
really rich soil. Then we added vermiculite and compost. We also thought
the raised bed would be good for winter gardening since it will be easy to
add a dome cloche to it with thin pvc pipe and plastic. Alas, we didn't get
to the winter garden this year, but boy do we have some sweet carrots.

Anyway, when it comes right down to it for us, we haven't noticed that much
difference in the beds since we have good drainage and have worked the soil
in our ground level beds until it is quite friable and rich.

To quickly build our raised bed we rough turned the soil so the sod was
underneath, pulled out any big rocks, then set cinder blocks (packed with
soil and an occasional piece of rebar) around the perimeter. Then we dumped
the new soil and augmentations in, stirred the whole batch up, raked it
flat and planted it. The whole process took less than 5 hours with two of
us working.

>Thanks everyone,
>
>I just wanted to thank everybody  who replied to my question on raised
>beds. I think that when spring finally comes around I will prepare one
>of each. I will make one plain sqft bed and one raised bed and then
>compare the two of them to see which one if any worked better for me. I
>was originally only going to make two sqft beds to start with but I have
>to grow my zucchini and they will take up almost a whole bed by
>themselves so I might make three so as not to lose the space to the
>zucchinis. I'll have to see what I feel up to maintaining, I don't want
>to go overboard my first time and plant too much! Well thanks again
>everyone.
>
>Richard (Brooklyn, NY zone 6)



Natalie McNair-Huff
Happily Gardening in Tacoma, WA Sunset zone 5; USDA Zone 7/8
Publisher/Editor Mac Net Journal http://www.blol.com/web_mnj/
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