Raised Square Foot Garden

Jersey is guarding my vegetable garden against all the rabbits! (big rabbit problem in my yard)  Making a raised garden was a lot of work, and a team effort with my kids. The 4x4' box is made from 2x10" boards, topped with 1 foot high removable fencing to discourages rabbits, since Jersey can't stand guard all the time. The fence was made from furring strip that was laying around the attic, and welded wire fence that was there before I built that picket fence. (see previous blog Picket Fence and Gate)

Here's a great link to a beginner's guide to square foot gardening. They say it costs about $50, but mine was probably double that. I also learned a lot from My Square Foot Garden. 

Here's my soil mix:
Pearlite 10 x 8-qt
4 cu ft. peat moss (expands when you unpack it)
5 x 40-lb bags of cow compost

The plants are the cheapest purchase. Here's a little plan of my plants:

‪#‎GetBuilding2015‬ and ‪#‎BuildGrowLove‬   #AnaWhite #GetBuidingCaren #DIYHallofFame

Picket Fence & Gate

This is the area that needs a gate. Currently welded wire fence. I open and close by wrapping the wire around the post, not a secure closure, and the dog gets out sometimes.

Building materials delivered

Showing off my double gate

I finished my fence & gate! It was a lot of work, not much money, and a fun family project. Altogether I spent $175, including treated lumber, concrete, hardware, screws, and posthole diggers. It was fun teaching my youngest son how to use power tools!

1. Plan, plan, plan
2. dig post holes down 2', below frost line (we needed 3)
3. place 4x4 posts, measure for height, & cut down to size
4. place 4x4 posts, cut side down in holes, level & plumb, align all posts squarely
5. put in dry concrete, add water, check level, plumb, & alignment again
6. let concrete cure 2-3 days (I waited a week, because I'm a weekend builder)
7. cut fence panel to size, drill pocket holes top & bottom rails, screw into posts
8. cut the second fence panel to make double gates (mark rails where hinges will go)
9. carefully measure, cut, & screw diagonal braces from spare pickets. This will keep the gate square
10. add hinges & latch
11. temporarily screw gate panels together with a 2x4x8, leaving 1/2" gaps for hardware
12. temporarily screw the 2x4x8 to the posts
13. screw hinges to post
14. remove 2x4x8
15. all done! 

#GetBuilding2015 #AnaWhite #GetBuidingCaren #DIYHallofFame

I used the cut pieces of 4x4 posts to raise up the whiskey barrel planter & pump.