Several of you have asked how the covers worked. I have posted bits here and there with weekend updates but thought I'd write a bit more.
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| Plastic corrugated panels on raised bed |
We put the covers on, plastic panels and weighted them down with 2 to 4 bricks (we tried experimenting to see what worked), on the corners.
After one particular thunderstorm, here is the result. This bed that had one brick ON EACH CORNER and it still blew away. Not sure what our solution will be. I think because of the wavy nature of the panels, a path for the wind is created and the right gust just send them airborne.
We also had a few crack and break, I guess because they get brittle in the sun. Of course, being flung across they yard probably doesn't help. We will have to replace a few of them. I'm thinking of some sort of clip or bracket.
As for what they were intended to do, when they stayed on, they kept the weeds at a minimum or nonexistent entirely. The ones that have weeds are the ones where they came off during a storm and then the bed got rained on for a week before we could get out there to put them back on. The weeds love that kind of weather and neglect, ha.
Anyway, not a failure by any means, just need to figure out how to make them more durable. They've definitely made my Spring job much easier than it would have been.
Maybe you should get some elasticated bungee straps cords (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/30cm-12-Inch-8mm-Elastic-Elasticated-Bungee-Straps-Cords-Strap-Plastic-Covered-Metal-Hooks-for-Fastening/32323478394.html). With the hooks at the end, fixed to hooks on the wooden section of the raised beds it may prevent your covers from being blown away.
ReplyDeleteI think this might be the most ingenious thing! THANK YOU!
DeleteCompletely clearing the beds from all weeds, etc., putting a good layer of leaves on top and then I would suggest maybe using some heavy duty black plastic in place of the panels, covering the whole bed and weighing it down or taking boards, going all the way around the outside of your raised beds and screw to secure boards to your bed frame.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhJf4qiN16Q
Steps:
1. Remove all debris and dead leaves from the garden bed with a spade fork and garden rake. Use a wheelbarrow to move the debris to the compost pile.
2. Spread 2 inches of compost over the garden bed with the rake.
3. Sprinkle ground limestone over the bed to raise the pH of the soil to an acceptable level (about 6.8). Lightly work the limestone into the soil with a spade fork.
4. Spread winter rye seed over the garden bed, then rake it into the soil.
5. Water the garden bed everyday for three straight days.
6. Come spring, use a rotary tiller or spade fork to turn the rye grass into the soil.
How To Prepare Raised Garden Beds for the Winter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vC-iEBbrys
DeleteThank you for this, great words of advice and great video. Thanks again!
DeleteCongratulations on your plan being mostly successful! With anything gardening I count mostly successful as a win!
ReplyDeleteThat is a win huh? All gardening can be hit or miss, ha.
Deleteyou could put "c" clamps on the ends of the wooden frames and run pvc pipes down the ribs and through the clamps to hold them in place.
ReplyDeleteNow that's a cool idea too. Thanks!
DeleteAnything which reduces the need to weed without using poison is a win.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that! It's a win win...win for us win for Earth
DeleteA cinder block on each corner and along each side? They are much heavier than the bricks.
ReplyDeleteYou know that's true. I didn't think about heavier. Thanks!
DeleteI for one love both the bungee cord & C clamp idea - easy on/off & not a big $ investment. The only thing better than coming up with a great idea such as your covers, is tweaking it to make it perfect :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a great idea huh? I am going to work on that this weekend (hopefully, after he bees of course)
DeleteWell, what my husband would probably do is screw the panels to 2x4 frames. Or you could probably split the 2x4 to 2x2 to make them lighter. But that would make it possible to fasten them down with some sort of hardware hooks.
ReplyDelete