raising the bed

With summer around the corner, it was time to attempt a garden once again. This time, I would be more methodical, carefully cultivating the ideal environment to grow vegetables. This time, when I selected a plot, I needed to pick the SUNNIEST part of my backyard (I neglected to think about sun on my first try.) I spent a few weeks observing the sun at different times during the day. Which parts of the backyard were sunny in the early morning? Mid-day? Afternoon?

I noticed that my previous plot only received a handful of hours of early morning sun. But across the way, to the right as I exited the kitchen, was a spot that got sun all afternoon. The sun cleared the right fence just before noon and blanketed the entire spot before setting behind the trees around 6pm. Six full hours of sun. While this is still technically considered "partial sun" (between 3-6 hours), this was the sunniest spot in the backyard. Only one problem: the spot was home to a huge flowering bush. After some gentle diplomacy with the neighbors, I was granted the go-ahead and uprooted the bush. A sunny, dirt plot remained.


The dirt was hard and rocky. Only the best soil would suffice for my new garden so I decided to build a raised bed. The raised bed method offers a way to ensure rich soil for the plants in a controlled environment. I enlisted my friend's help because he knows how to build things. First, we measured the area. It was a trapezoid shape.


Then we scoured the East Bay, looking for the right type of wood for the bed. We considered buying copper-treated pine from Home Depot, but when the salesperson said that even he wouldn't eat veggies from a garden using that chemical-treated wood, we opted for redwood instead. Redwood has a nice look and it withstands the weather better than other woods. We went to Economy Lumber in Oakland to find the right size. We bought 1"x12" pieces, each 10 feet long. This size makes a bed that is 10" deep. With the help of some power tools, we made the trapazoid-shaped walls with long 3'1/2" screws. Then I lined the bottom and sides with a thin plastic lining. I made sure to cut big holes in the bottom for drainage.





We calculated that we would need 40 cubic feet of soil to fill the bed. At American Soil in Richmond, they sell bulk soil by the cubic yard (27 cubic feet.) Luckily, my friend's truck could hold one cubic yard (just barely.) I bought a yard and a half of multi-purpose soil which contains wood fines, WonderGrow organic compost, chicken manure, rice hulls, clean lava, minus lava and loamy sand. We had to make two trips to American soil and unloaded the soil by bucket to the backyard. We hauled over 60 back-breaking buckets!!! The soil was hot and stinky (probably due to the chicken manure...) We hosed down the soil periodically as we filled the bed.



How lovely! My new raised bed filled with luscious soil.


A few days later I went to my beloved Berkeley Horticultural Nursery and bought the following starts: rosemary, Berggarten sage, Italian flat-leafed parsley, Italian oregano, German Winter thyme, purplette onions, "Wings of Night" lavender and 5 types of tomatoes (Sweet Million, Early Girl, Flamme, Green Zebra and Japanese Black Trifele.) I planted yellow & orange Sunshine carrot seeds, Bright Lights Swiss chard seeds and Detroit Dark Red beet seeds. I also planted the basil that wasn't too happy by itself in the kitchen and some good ol' Colonel Kentucky mint (solo in a pot of course.)




Many, many thanks to my friend who made this raised bed possible. We spent two days on the project, about 5 hours per day. Without his know-how, truck, tools and selfless generosity, I would have been bedless. Now these new plants have every chance possible for success. They are immersed in fresh, nutrient-rich soil and bask in 6 hours of afternoon sun in a raised bed. I've made their bed and now they can lie it while growing me some yummy veggies!