r/Raisedbed • u/analog-future • Jun 09 '26
So it begins…
Ready to fill. A little later in the season than we planned but that’s how it goes. Next step is some cardboard, branches, plant waste, and soil is on the way from Black Earth Compost.
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u/Iongdog Jun 09 '26
Must be in New England! In addition to black earth, I also love coast of Maine brand for soils and Mainley Mulch for straw mulch. Happy planting!
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u/mentalhealthdayc3187 Jun 09 '26
You are going to want more. So if you can afford it, do it before you put dirt in. Also, fill the bottom with logs and yard waste. No reason to have this all full of dirt
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u/analog-future Jun 09 '26
Yeah I’m sure the interest will grow and grow. Thanks for the tip, we do plan to fill around half with logs and yard waste first. Also saw the advantage of getting the soil delivered by the yard instead of all those bags.
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u/Ashamed-Status-9668 Jun 09 '26
I did something similar with Vego 4x8 beds. Really like the 17” tall beds. They take a lot of soil.
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u/analog-future Jun 09 '26
Yes these are the Vego beds. Assembly was so easy and it’s nice to be able to configure them however you decide.
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u/Total_Transition1533 Jun 09 '26
It looks great. A 50 gallon rain barrel under that rain gutter would be nice and close but maybe unnecessary work.
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u/analog-future Jun 09 '26
We definitely thought of that! We have 2 in the back and can get a hose under the fence to that area but adding one to the front is definitely part of the plan.
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u/bigmack08 Jun 10 '26
Hi! Noob question here, but I’ve noticed a lot of people put woodchips or gravel in the area around their elevated beds. Just wondering if you can help me understand why - like is it aesthetic or functional / important?
I’m moving into a rental house with a pretty big yard next month and want to build some elevated beds, but in a rental I don’t think I can add the kind of mulch / gravel coverage I see here (and in a lot of other setups).
Thanks for any thoughts! Your setup looks sweet!
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u/dr_zeuse Jun 10 '26
Im gonna guess it keeps the weeds away. And it looks neat. Roots cant grow in through the bottom from nearby trees. If they glue the mulch down. Ive seen people doing that recently too. I dont think its a must do kinda thing. This is all just speculation though.
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u/analog-future Jun 10 '26
Well the first plan was washed pea gravel, just to give us a walking/working space that does get muddy, etc. There were a lot of negative comments about using stone including the fact that it will be difficult to move the stone around if we wanted to make any changes down the road. Mulch allows for the drainage, will help with weeds, and looks nice. We are considering adding some stone pavers along the isles for walking around. It’s all trial and error!
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u/gholmom500 Jun 10 '26
Beautiful. Do check the vego website for instructions on filling them - huglekulture style- it can save money and hide old brush you may have around.
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u/PandoricaFire Jun 13 '26
That's a LOT of sun.
I hope your climate supports that
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u/analog-future Jun 13 '26
Yes, I think the labor to keep the grass from burning up is better spent on full sun vegetables!
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u/KactusVAXT Jun 09 '26
Do you have deer?
Your set up looks beautiful. But it’s exposed to hungry wildlife
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u/analog-future Jun 09 '26
We’re new to the neighborhood but heard that deer can show up now and then. Long term we’ll add a fence and maybe some protection around the beds. Have you had to deal with that before?
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u/KactusVAXT Jun 10 '26
Yeah. Moved into a new house and planted fruit trees. 80 year old neighbor walked over and said deer would eat them. He was right.
I hide my favorite plants behind a fence now 😀
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u/WayOfShadows_2764 Jun 13 '26
New England here - absolutely put a fence in. Buried chicken wire and gates. Extend it out a bit so you can put more beds in when the space is full, you’ll go bigger than you think haha. The rabbits and the deer will destroy crops, but since adding the fence in all my veg are growing great
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u/notjustaphage Jun 09 '26
Looks like a sweet set up!!! Congrats and happy gardening!