MamaHawk
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2024
- Messages
- 121
- Reaction score
- 33
- Location
- A corner lot in Akron, OH
- Hardiness Zone
- 6b
- Country
Hi all,
My husband and I are working on slightly-raised beds this year. We're trying to determine the best place for them, but it's tricky because each area with the most sun has a drawback to it somehow or another.
This is the sketch I made last year. The big tree in the bottom right has been removed, but we're planning on putting a shed right behind the garage (above the tree) so it's not totally open space to plan in. There is a trampoline we can move to wherever as needed, hence the sketch under the tree (really light, sorry about that).
Currently we're considering doing two 2x8 beds along the far left side of the property to create a sort of boundary for the toddler, plus another 2x8 or so at the bottom right (below the "tree") for the same reason. The front property (as of right now) gets shade until about 10am, but then is in the clear until probably 6-7 when the trees across the street cast their shadows over. The spot by the "tree" would get effectively constant sun probably after 10-11 due to a tree. We're also considering a small section on the back bottom right of the house (the little nook cut into the house) because currently it's just wasted space/toy storage on a terrible clay-rock slope. We might just build that up with some pavers to support a rain barrel and maybe extra plants, but that's TBD. That area gets sun morning to probably 4-5 when the house shadows the area.
The question is, should we bother with narrow beds in the first two areas that we can build out later if we like the spots, or is narrow a bad idea for some reason? The beds themselves wouldn't be much higher than two inches above the actual ground, which would also be used. I couldn't really do hugelkulture (spelling?) at this stage because they're so low, but we have to start somewhere! Any support or warnings for these plans? I'd appreciate it!
My husband and I are working on slightly-raised beds this year. We're trying to determine the best place for them, but it's tricky because each area with the most sun has a drawback to it somehow or another.
This is the sketch I made last year. The big tree in the bottom right has been removed, but we're planning on putting a shed right behind the garage (above the tree) so it's not totally open space to plan in. There is a trampoline we can move to wherever as needed, hence the sketch under the tree (really light, sorry about that).
Currently we're considering doing two 2x8 beds along the far left side of the property to create a sort of boundary for the toddler, plus another 2x8 or so at the bottom right (below the "tree") for the same reason. The front property (as of right now) gets shade until about 10am, but then is in the clear until probably 6-7 when the trees across the street cast their shadows over. The spot by the "tree" would get effectively constant sun probably after 10-11 due to a tree. We're also considering a small section on the back bottom right of the house (the little nook cut into the house) because currently it's just wasted space/toy storage on a terrible clay-rock slope. We might just build that up with some pavers to support a rain barrel and maybe extra plants, but that's TBD. That area gets sun morning to probably 4-5 when the house shadows the area.
The question is, should we bother with narrow beds in the first two areas that we can build out later if we like the spots, or is narrow a bad idea for some reason? The beds themselves wouldn't be much higher than two inches above the actual ground, which would also be used. I couldn't really do hugelkulture (spelling?) at this stage because they're so low, but we have to start somewhere! Any support or warnings for these plans? I'd appreciate it!