It’s no surprise that living in Ohio gives us short growing seasons. Unless, of course, we have a greenhouse or hoop garden. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t make the most out of every day. Gardening can often only be visualized as out in the sprawling country. As beautiful as that sounds (and as much as I’d like that myself) that isn’t an option for many. We like to adhere to the #mowlessgrow more mentality and have parked our DIY raised garden bed smack in our front lawn of our city lot. {{gasp}}

Now, this doesn’t look so pretty at the moment, does it? About 6-7 years ago we dug up our sod, tilled, amended, and built this DIY raised garden bed with reclaimed barn wood. Our goal was to use reclaimed wood to reduce waste, save on budget, and prevent a toxic burden on our land and in our food.

BEDS

The beds have held strong until this last winter. We had a tough winter with arctic blast winds over 65 mph. Talk about a fun ride! eep! Here’s a picture of our garden the first year we gave it a go. We were beyond blessed by our efforts and relished the fantastic rewards of our hands.

Since then, we have continued to grow plenty for our family of 8 to enjoy, but the best part is sharing it with others. What was kinda funny was the looks and questions we got from the average passerby when removing our sod in an unusual fashion. It got to where I started telling folks we were installing family burial plots. bwahahaha! One even asked if we were putting in letters to support or local university from an aerial view. um…NO.

A LOOK AT THE DAMAGE

As you can see our strawberry bed at the closet corner fell completely down by the snow and wind. But the most amazing thing to me is the garlic stood strong and carried on! We plant the cloves in the fall and it quietly flourishes below the soil. It begins to peek out in the middle of the winter, getting covered with snow up on snow, blasted by arctic winds, and continues to grow. Most of that growth is underground, hidden from our eyes.

Then, as spring warms up, the stems quickly push toward the sky reveling in the warmth and glory of spring. Isn’t it just like how Peter 5:10 describes, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” If you are in the midst of suffering, have hope. God is ready to help you thrive!

Another ill fate of our garden is that our cedar grape arbor post was snapped over in those high winds.

GRAPES

Thankfully, our grapes vines are steadfast and continue to stand on their own. I’ve created a video tour of our garden below, as well as share the outcome of our repair work this year. Feel free to take a peek.

As spring rolled around this year, we knew we had much unplanned work ahead of us. I am so thankful we are physically able to jump in and get the job done.

TIME FOR RENEWAL

First, we set out to replace our DIY raised garden bed sides with heavier untreated 2″ x 8″ pine boards. This allowed us to strengthen and give depth to our current beds.

Initially, we had planned to also add a 2″ x 4″ mitered frame to the top edge for more depth and decoration. However, as soon as we finished putting these in our area entered a sort of monsoon season and the rain has kept us behind. So, we may add that part next spring. For now we already have to begin our preparations for winter. Summer is too short.

If you look close, you’ll see how JC and I rebuilt the beds using a post made out of untreated 2″ x 4″ pine in each corner. We also use the posts along the long side for added reinforcement.

We use a 3″ decking screw to attach it all and withstand the brutal weather we get. Also, notice our joints are blunt. We could have mitered the boards too, however, that is what we’ll do to the frame we’ll add on top next season.

Now that we’ve repaired the beds, it’s time to replace that broken grape arbor post. Thankfully, I have just the man ready for the job. tee hee. A post hole digger is your best friend in this matter.

We are using 8′ cedar 4″ x 4″ posts, so that means we sink the posts 2′ into the ground. If you notice, we have a paperboard form inset in there that will help reinforce the concrete we will be adding. No premixing needed. Just dump in, add water, mix a bit, and you’re set. The video shows this best.

GRANDPA TO THE RESCUE WITH POO!

Yes. ahem. You read that right…gardener’s gold…aka. manure. Sweet, blissful stuff that makes everything grow and flourish like none other. First, we put down the compost we grab from our own bins out back. You can see self-built bins as a gift-to-self on my 40th HERE. Then, we add the manure.

This ain’t your straight out the cow stuff. You’re looking at composted manure that is aged to perfection and isn’t near as stinky. Also, it is fortified with calcium. You see, we have a herd share from an organic dairy farm and they offer us a truckload of this goodness each year. It’s a combination of horse, chicken, and cow. Many ask my preference, and I’d say this is it. Each have their benefits, and the added calcium helps restore what last years’ growth depleted.

Here’s where my awesome Dad comes in. He has the wheels to connect us to the farm, cause Lord knows JC wouldn’t be too happy if mama comes home with a suburban full of this. Thankfully, it’s a quick unloading that we all thoroughly enjoy as it brings us together to work as a team. Sweet memories!

Once the manure is on, we let the ground rest for about 2 weeks, if possible. It’s great for it to have that time to build the bio-culture.

Not everyone is as helpful. haha. The trick is keeping her and her neighborhood friends from adding their own manure. tsk.

Doesn’t it look healthy? I get so excited at this sight. The scent even (yes, it’s still poo) makes my heart happy.

If you can’t tell, I’m so in love with this crew (including my oldest & the cameraman too!)

WAITING FOR THE FRUITS OF OUR LABOR

We have since planted our tomatoes, peppers, basil, cabbage, bok choy, cilantro, dill, beans, pumpkins, and flowers. Our garlic needs to finish and we’ll pull it soon. Our strawberries are coming on strong, and our grapes our just getting started.

With the non-stop rains we have had it will be amazing if we get much of a crop. However, I will say that companion planting is such a blessing to making use of every inch of the space. My go-to book on the matter is called Companion Planting for the Kitchen Gardener. It is chock full of information for any size garden.

Here is their current state, while below is their progression through the summer.

Are you getting hungry yet? I am! We are waiting for our tomatoes to reach the trellising stage. We like to grow up and use vertical growing. My favorite garden books are by Eliot Coleman.

GARDEN WRAP-UP

I hope to inspire you and gave you a hunger for gardening. I’d love to hear what you do in your own garden to create a sanctuary for food, flowers, or just plain fun.

By pinning and sharing you are helping others thing outside the lawn and grow their own food. Who knows…maybe they’ll even share with those who need some too.

Up next, it’s reduce, reuse, REFASHION time! I’ll be sharing what you can do with those belts hanging in your closet. Head here to see.

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Also, more projects like our DIY raised bed garden: