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The problem became the solution

 
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Location: N. California
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The first raised bed I built was pretty crummy. I didn't know what I was doing, and try to use the least amount of wood. I joined the corners with the little metal corner things.  It actually lasted a while. My biggest mistake was covering the top with chicken wire, to week the chickens out. Things like hollyhocks, and other flowers grew thew the wire.  Bermuda grass found every crack and hole in the wood. The wire made it almost impossible to weed. The weeds would just break and be back tomorrow.
With a great deal of effort I removed the wire.  My son moved it and dumped it with the bobcat.
Some damage was done, but it needed some tlc anyway.
I reenforced it, lined it and with new weed cloth.  I pulled as much of the surrounding Bermuda grass as I could. Put down a heavy duty piece of cardboard, and covered it with weed cloth.
It's ready to fill.  It would cost a lot of money to buy soil to fill this bed.  
Last year we had to remove a oleander that was endangering our dogs.  The wood has just sat. Oleander is very poisonous. About the only way to safely get rid of it is to compost it.  In my climate it takes a long time to compost pretty much everything.  ( I had a 3 year old wood chip pile that still looks like wood chips) maybe to hot and dry?  I didn't want to put it in beds with eatable plants. Maybe ok, but why take a chance.  So this bed is perfect. I grow uneatable flowers in this bed (eatable flowers go in the veggie garden). Of course it didn't use all the wood, but several large pieces.  A great way to use the dreaded oleander. ( Going to have to build more flower beds). I filled it up 3/4 with soil I dug out of the chicken yard, and topped it off with a bag of purchased compost ( probably add one more). Now I'm back in business. It's a little late, but I'm going to fill it with flowers anyway. I can't wait.
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Posts: 219
Location: East Beaches area of Manitoba, Zone 3
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That's a great solution! Great way to take care of something poisonous.
 
Jen Fulkerson
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It's not a very good picture, kind of at the end of summer, so mostly only unruly cosmos left.  I will try to do better this year.
IMG20230728100943.jpg
Late Summer 2023
Late Summer 2023
 
For my next feat, I will require a volunteer from the audience! Perhaps this tiny ad?
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