Idea!!

[Plocket]

I've just had an idea that I want to run past you guys - basically to find out whether I'm barking mad or whether it might work.

I feel a bit mean that LP only has a container garden about 2ft in diameter, and have been trying to think about how I can give her more soil to garden in. I did consider digging out a bed in the bit of land outside our garden wall, but that is rather impractical because then she can't dig or potter unless I'm out there with her. So I've had the idea of constructing a raised bed on a bit of patio that we don't really use much. However it's in a spot that doesn't get any sun.

I've got two concerns: firstly is a raised bed a sensible idea - I could make it 1m square but would need an idea of how deep to make it; and secondly what could she grow if I did make the raised bed? It would be nice if she could grow some vegetables in one corner, and some flowers.

I really would appreciate any comments - thanks! Px

[sweetleaf]

If theres concrete under the bed it changes things but it really needs to have about 9" depth for a flower/veg bed. she could start with radish and salad veg, cut and come again lettuce, spring onions etc and use her container for carrots! I always suggest Radishes for a childs first real crop, as it crops quickly and keeps a little ones interest, even if they dont find that they like the flavour in the end. It must get some sun though or it wont work.

[Chuckles]

What a lovely idea to let her have a bigger area. A raised bed would be fab and think 12-18" deep would be more than plenty, remember you've got to fill it. If you put it against your wall or a fence she could grow sweetpeas and Sunflowers at the back . Some trailing flowers around the edges and some lettuce or something in the middle. If you had it free standing you could maybe fix a piece of trellis to the back for climbers and a couple of those half circle wall baskets on side/front for flowers and she could then grow more veggie bits in the main bed. Oooooooh I want to be a little girl again and have one.

[Plocket]

It would have concrete paving slabs underneath unfortunately - I don't have spare ground space! It won't be against a wall either but she'll be able to walk all round it, and see it from the patio doors. I like the idea of fixing trellis on it though - that's a neat idea. As I've been still thinking about it I might have to make the raised bed a rectangle shape because I don't want to block the patio door too much.

The next problem is what to make it out of! Mum and dad have some crates that their wall stones came in - I guess I could use one of those.....

[sweetleaf]

BB`s right in what she says if you want to grow deep rooted stuff 9" is good enough for the stuff I mentioned but if you make the bed permanent, do it BB`s way!


BB I like the way you think

[Alicat]

Plocket can I come back to you on this one I've got to fetch the kids from school.

[Plocket]

Mum and dad are going to save a couple of the crates for me so I can use them to start off my raised bed. I'm probably going to make it at least a foot deep too.

Catch you all later - I'm off to get my sprog too!!!

[sweetleaf]

greety said:

What a lovely idea to let her have a bigger area. Oooooooh I want to be a little girl again and have one.

You are, and you have! ;D

[sleepysunday]

Some dwarf sunflowers at the back, radishes, cut and come again lettuce, a small bush tom.

[Chuckles]

sweetleaf said:

greety said:

What a lovely idea to let her have a bigger area. Oooooooh I want to be a little girl again and have one.

You are, and you have! ;D

An old girl young at heart and I have haven't I

[Chuckles]

Glad you started this thread P

Just thought I could have some of those half circle baskets on the flower garden side of my raised beds. Ooooooh lovely gubbley ;D ;D

[Spruance]

Plocket, I notice that you have a half barrel in use as a water feature. How about using something like that for LP's raised bed?

[Plocket]

You've all given me some great ideas, but can I really grow the stuff you've suggested in a spot that gets no sun?

[Chuckles]

I've grown the mixed leaf lettuce and sweet peas in a raised bed at the back of my GH, it has a panelled fence on 2 sides which have a huge holly tree and a sycamore hedge behind them, a shed on the other side then the GH. All in all it only got the sun when it was high in the sky.

[Plocket]

Well that's positive - I'm going to have to be carefull about what she grows because although this spot isn't actually shaded, it really doesn't get the sun except in the height of summer. We really are very limited as far as space in the garden is concerned, and it's a north facing garden anyway!

[Plocket]

spruance said:

Plocket, I notice that you have a half barrel in use as a water feature. How about using something like that for LP's raised bed?

Hia Spruance! She already has a round pot garden about the same size as the water garden and for the spot I'm thinking is suitable, I think a trough type construction would be better. Instead of thinking square now though I'm thinking long and thin so it can edge the grass - it could be a maximum of about 4ft long then. I'd probably have to move my rotary washing line yet again though ;D

[Chuckles]

plocket said:

I'd probably have to move my rotary washing line yet again though ;D

One of these any use to you, I replaced my rotary and now have 2 of these and they are great, reel em in and reel em out ;D

www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8505820.htm

[sweetleaf]

I have one of those too! I was looking for another as the springy thing died that helps to retract the line.thanks BB!

[Plocket]

Funny you should mention those but I was thinking about them only recently! I didn't think they'd be that cheap either. If I did get one of those things it would go in the garage ;D

[mickthecactus]

P, my 5 year old (who was a 4 year old last year), had a strawberry plant which he loved as he could see the berries change plus a sweet corn plant where he could see the cob grow but his greatest fun was french beans. He dug holes all by himself, dropped the bean in by himself, watered and covered them up. Result - beans! Now a very satisfied gardener!

[Plocket]

That's how I started LP off - it's SOOOO satisfying isn't it? Last year she did our runner beans, our peas, our potatoes and planted the strawberry plants herself. She's really got the knack now. I daren't tell her about this plan in case it doesn't come off - I don't want her to be disappointed. The other reason I got her involved with growing the veggies is that she was a bit fussy. Now that she's seen the plants grow after she planted the seeds, and harvested the vegetables, you wouldn't think it was the same child. I'm not sure we got to cook a single pea last year because she must have eaten virtually every single one as soon as they were picked!!!

Actually I've just sat her down to a stir fry that she's just made pretty much by herself. This time last year she would have turned her nose up at the fresh vegetables going into it, but as she was doing the cooking herself, and knew about the veggies (mange tout, baby sweetcorn, spring onion) and chicken she loved it. We also added cashew nuts which she loves - and she says she wants it for tea every night. It's amazing how much children learn by doing things themselves!!!

[Margi]

Plocket, I don't mind if you want to give her the Margi bed... you could just distribute the other stuff around the garden?

Margi x

[Plocket]

WHAT?? She's not having MY Margi bed!!!!! Besides, as you well know, there isn't room for all the "Margi" plants elsewhere in the garden. It just means I'll have to extend the garden with a trough or raised bed for LP - what a shame!!! ;D

[Margi]

Whew! What a relief!!! Go for it with a raised bed though... I'm sure she'll love her special garden!

Margi x

[Plocket]

Don't breathe a word to her - I haven't dared mention it!!! ;D

[Chuckles]

Oooooh i can't wait to see what you do for LP, I think it's a fab idea to get youngster involved with gardening and all that goes with it. Some kids just don't have a clue about where things come from or how they grow etc it's very sad. Saying that some grown ups don't either

Have Bookmarked this thread so I don't miss anything ;D ;D

[Plocket]

Aw bless you Busy Bee! It might be a while before I do anything though!

The main reason I started growing vegetables was to get LP more interested - and it was way more successful than I imagined. And such a joy!

[blodau]

Hi P. Don't know if this is any help but did you see the GW special that Sara Raven did on medicinal herbs? I think she did those in a big rectangular planter. You won't want all herbs like she did but the planter might be the kind of thing you're looking for.

Blod

[Plocket]

I'm afraid I didn't see it Blod - I'm not really a fan of Ms Raven ;D I guess I could do a bit of searching though and see if I can find some planter instructions. I was kinda thinking along the lines already suggested (only after it was suggested mind!), of having four corner posts and putting planks between them. I might even raid dad's garage and see if he's got any suitable wood - he seems to collect the stuff ;D

[4pygmies]

I know you're tight for space but how about an adaptation of an auricula theatre? Then you could give her pots to decorate before she plants them up, and because she's going up, she could grow things like tumbling toms, dwarf runner beans etc mixed up with a few hanging basket plants. A bar across each shelf would stop them falling forwards. I know it sounds a bit OTT but I have always wanted to make a puppet theatre for plants with clear shower curtains to pull across (front and back) to protect the plants in Spring. Maybe you could adapt a mini patio greenhouse? Just a suggestion!