Building a raised bed garden

Our volcanic soil is fertile, but rocky. Plants do very well for the first couple of years then the soil runs out of nutrients. Raised bed gardens are an ideal solution for this. First I dug out an area roughly the size of the finished bed. I edged it with concrete block. 

Next, I cut the treated 2x4's to size.

I stained the lumber to match the house. I also used a rubber paint on the concrete blocks.

I repeated the same process for the other beds.

The second layer of wood is for a hinged lid. 

The beds are 56cm (22 inches) deep. This should deep enough to grow potatoes and carrots. 

After all of the pieces are cut to size, I attached the first layer of wood with adhesive. The blocks keep everything thing flat and level while the adhesive dries overnight.

The soil is made locally at a farm which consists of horse and cow manure, and rice hulls. I also throw some garden soil in to balance the mix. The purchased soil is well rotted and has no smell. The plants love it. We use it all over the yard. A K-truck load is only 1000 yen...super cheap!!

I drilled some holes for the frame supports.

Next, I installed the PVC frame supports. Just a single wood screw is all that is needed.

Slip a few T-fittings onto the PVC pipe and bend the pipe to fit into the frame supports. The pipe bends easily especially if it's warm outside.

After the hoops are bent, add the cross bracing. No glue is required. Just snap everything together.

These clips lock everything together. No clips...tye wraps will work.

Here's the finished supports. The frame can be covered with plastic to keep seedlings warm in the early spring. Netting can also be used to keep the insects out.

Here's a view of the hinges. I grounded one side of the hinge pin so that the pin can easily be removed. With the pin removed, it's easy to remove the top (hoops) for storage. This is important when growing melons and other plants that require a trellis.

Here's some komatsuna being grown under netting. I'll be planting cabbage, daikon and brocolli for a fall harvest. Next year I have a bunch of "unique" things I want to grow. Stay tuned...