Raised beds. I will not be offended if you do not post this, but I feel compelled to share.
I would not go to the time, trouble, and expense of using lumber or any containment for raised beds. We plow new ground, till it into soft dirt, shovel the loose dirt off the hardpack (two shovel-widths or 12 - 18" wide) and onto the raised bed area and to form furrows to walk in, and plant. The rain does very little to alter this, but if it does, you just shovel or rake the edge up to where it was. Paul Grahovac www.meetup.com/Grahovacs-Army-of-Volunteers-Gardening-with-Urban-Farmers* * *785-393-1816 cell* ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: <[email protected]> Date: Thu, Jul 7, 2011 at 2:44 PM Subject: Community_garden Digest, Vol 1309, Issue 2 To: [email protected] Send Community_garden mailing list submissions to [email protected] To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to [email protected] You can reach the person managing the list at [email protected] When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Community_garden digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Post Question regarding raised bed construction (michael fink) 2. Post Question regarding raised bed construction (michael fink) 3. Growing Food and Justice Gathering in Milwaukee, WI (jim embry) 4. Re: Post Question regarding raised bed construction (Joan Huyser-Honig) 5. Re: Post Question regarding raised bed construction (Don Lambert) 6. Re: Post Question regarding raised bed construction (Ken Hargesheimer) 7. Partnering with local USDA offices (Susan Finlayson) 8. Re: Partnering with local USDA offices (Guy Serbin) 9. Re: Partnering with local USDA offices (Messacar, Nicole - LaPorte, IN) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 13:12:26 -0400 From: michael fink <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: [Community_garden] Post Question regarding raised bed construction Message-ID: <cajmn_bymffeyyptac6ga6uquaztx22apbim_kdermzgbdkw...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 We are in the process of building some raised beds for local elementary school in Charlotte, NC. The wood has been purchased and cut to have 12' x 4' x 10" raised beds. What is the beds method for getting and keeping the structure together: nails, screws, rebar? Thanks, Michael Fink ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 13:13:52 -0400 From: michael fink <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: [Community_garden] Post Question regarding raised bed construction Message-ID: <cajmn_bz_kp+gv2tjknfnsbrdnkh1y9ej5xxxpnl8thtkeh0...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 We are in the process of building some raised beds for local elementary school in Charlotte, NC. The wood has been purchased and cut to have 12' x 4' x 10" raised beds. What is the beds method for getting and keeping the structure together: nails, screws, rebar? Thanks, Michael Fink ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 14:00:27 -0400 From: jim embry <[email protected]> To: ACGA <[email protected]> Subject: [Community_garden] Growing Food and Justice Gathering in Milwaukee, WI Message-ID: <caaznuxwtxzrhlwyinrpgeqszkkcpz77h82utojsd+pjyok-...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252" * * * * *JOIN US!!* *EARLY BIRD RATES END JULY 31* *Growing Food and Justice for All Gathering 2011 Sacred Soil: Cultivating Seeds of Community Transformation September 9th - 11th, 2011 Come early for the Intensive Leadership Facilitator Training September 7th - 8th, 2011 * * * *Location: *Tommy G. Thompson Youth Center Wisconsin State Fair Grounds Milwaukee, WI * *** *Register for the 4th Annual Gathering! **EARLY BIRD RATES END JULY 31* *Registration * https://www.growingfoodandjustice.org/Gathering_Registration.html *Lodging* https://www.growingfoodandjustice.org/Lodging.html All participants must make their own arrangements! *(Onsite lodging is highly recommended for the spirit of the event and to build community)* *The Growing Food and Justice for All Initiative (GFJI)*, hosted by Growing Power, Inc. <http://www.growingpower.org/Gro> founded by Will Allen is a new comprehensive network that views dismantling racism as a core principal that brings together social change agents from diverse sectors working to bring about new, healthy and sustainable food systems and supporting and building multicultural leadership in impoverished communities throughout the world. The vision for this initiative is to establish a powerful network of individuals, organizations and community based entities all working toward a food secure and just world. -- *jim embry 859-270-3699 Lexington,KY Sustainable Communities Network*, http://sustainlex.org/ Bluegrass School & Community Garden Network, "Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing." ~Arundhati Roy "Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable ... It comes only through the tireless efforts and passionate concern of dedicated individuals ... This is no time for apathy nor complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action."~? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive. ~Albert Einstein "We didn't inherit the earth from our parents. We're borrowing it from our children." Chief Seattle (1788-1866) Suquamish/Duwamish Chief *In modesty and humility, be like the Earth! In tolerance for others, be like the sea! In generosity and helping others, be like a gentle breeze! In compassion for others, and especially for yourself, Be like the Sun!* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: < http://list.communitygarden.org/pipermail/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org/attachments/20110707/dafd5c0b/attachment.html > ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 14:01:02 -0400 From: "Joan Huyser-Honig" <[email protected]> To: "'michael fink'" <[email protected]>, <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Community_garden] Post Question regarding raised bed construction Message-ID: <000c01cc3ccf$d668f000$833ad000$@com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Michael, When we enclosed the beds at our church community garden this spring, we first coated the untreated wood with linseed oil (from Lowe's or Home Depot) so the wood will last longer. We nailed boards together with 16-penny nails aka 16D framing nails or box nails. We also pounded in wooden stakes--1" x 2" x 18"--on the outsides of the beds so the beds wouldn't bend. We put three stakes along each long side of the bed. (Our beds were 16' x 4' x 6".) All the best, Joan Huyser-Honig -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of michael fink Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 1:14 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Community_garden] Post Question regarding raised bed construction We are in the process of building some raised beds for local elementary school in Charlotte, NC. The wood has been purchased and cut to have 12' x 4' x 10" raised beds. What is the beds method for getting and keeping the structure together: nails, screws, rebar? Thanks, Michael Fink _______________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [email protected] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_g arden_list.communitygarden.org ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1388 / Virus Database: 1516/3749 - Release Date: 07/07/11 ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Thu, 07 Jul 2011 13:28:59 -0500 From: Don Lambert <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Community_garden] Post Question regarding raised bed construction Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Sounds like you are using 2x10 inch lumber. For attaching corners we have tried many methods over the past 20 years, like screws, metal brackets, nailing to corner 2x4 or 4x4s (like short posts), but the method that has really bested them all is to use 40d ring shank pole barn nails with no brackets, just nailed through the ends. Our local Home Depot carries ring shanks in 30d which are too small to hold, and 60d which are so large that splitting occurs, so we have them special order a case of 40d (6") for us. Some pre-drilling is needed, but only if knots are in the way. The main problem with screws is that they tear the wood and stop holding after a couple of years. Brackets and extra wood pieces trap moisture so that boards rot wherever contact occurs. Simply nailing with the right nail, the 40d ring shank, through one board into the end grain of the other gives the smallest joint surface contact and least rotting. We use 2 nails per corner with 6" lumber. You could use 3 for the 10". Which ever board receives the nail into the end grain, will absorb the most water and therefore rot first. We always nail into the ends of the short 4' end boards, and after several years may need to replace rotted bed end boards, but the 12 footers are still in good shape. I realize Michael, that if you and I do not have the same model in our heads as to what these beds look like, them nothing I have said makes any sense. Good luck, Don Lambert On 7/7/2011 12:13 PM, michael fink wrote: > We are in the process of building some raised beds for local > elementary school in Charlotte, NC. > The wood has been purchased and cut to have 12' x 4' x 10" raised > beds. What is the beds method for getting and keeping the structure > together: nails, screws, rebar? > > Thanks, > Michael Fink > > _______________________________________________ > The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org > > To post an e-mail to the list: [email protected] > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org > -- Don Lambert Executive Director Gardeners in Community Development 972-231-3565 www.gardendallas.org ------------------------------ Message: 6 Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 13:51:29 -0500 From: Ken Hargesheimer <[email protected]> To: Don Lambert <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Community_garden] Post Question regarding raised bed construction Message-ID: <CAPrvwRRTJn4K=75e1n6gi0ma7w7mr+prfph-vwxwmrz1edo...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" I used sides on the beds when I first made them but no longer. Not necessary. It is for looks only. Get the tree trimming companies to deliver to free trimmings to put in the paths. I suggest to use framing metal pieces [I have forgotten what they are called]. That way the screws go into the side of the lumber and not the ends and split, etc. I suggest that you use galvanized screw shank nails. Will not pull out. Ken Hargesheimer -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: < http://list.communitygarden.org/pipermail/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org/attachments/20110707/9cbbf690/attachment.html > ------------------------------ Message: 7 Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 13:30:20 -0600 From: Susan Finlayson <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: [Community_garden] Partnering with local USDA offices Message-ID: <capd_gl_qfjn0j_v2gbknocupottcvy_jkkajkfnakzj1qwk...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hi all, Does anyone have ideas for good ways to partner with local USDA offices? Some of our community gardens have interacted with the USDA through the "People's Garden" initiative. This has mostly entailed a few local USDA staff volunteering in our gardens over the last couple years. Recently they also approached us about participating in the "Feds Feeding Families Food Drive." (We already donate our extra produce to local food pantries, so it seems participating would probably just add more complexity at this point...) I'm wondering if there are more meaningful ways to engage USDA staff that we are not thinking of? -- Susan Finlayson Network Coordinator Wasatch Community Gardens 824 S. 400 W., Suite 127 Salt Lake City, UT 84101 www.wasatchgardens.org (801) 359-2658 x12 Wasatch Community Gardens' mission is to empower people of all ages and incomes to grow and eat healthy, organic, local food. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: < http://list.communitygarden.org/pipermail/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org/attachments/20110707/bf3caf8f/attachment.html > ------------------------------ Message: 8 Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 15:38:02 -0400 From: Guy Serbin <[email protected]> To: Susan Finlayson <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Community_garden] Partnering with local USDA offices Message-ID: <cafqdjgt1-hucjtfsp2f1tk+v8zamsxgb-btdgtwlod4pg5g...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Are you in touch with the local county extension office? You may also want to contact Utah State University's Cooperative Extension service (http://extension.usu.edu/) and see how they can help out. Best regards, Guy Serbin On Thu, Jul 7, 2011 at 3:30 PM, Susan Finlayson <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi all, > > Does anyone have ideas for good ways to partner with local USDA offices? > > Some of our community gardens have interacted with the USDA ?through the > "People's Garden" initiative. This has mostly entailed a few ?local USDA > staff volunteering in our gardens over the last couple years. Recently they > also approached us about participating in the "Feds Feeding Families Food > Drive." (We already donate our extra produce to local food pantries, so it > seems participating would probably just add more complexity at this > point...) > > I'm wondering if there are more meaningful ways to engage USDA staff that we > are not thinking of? > > -- > Susan Finlayson > Network Coordinator > Wasatch Community Gardens > 824 S. 400 W., Suite 127 > Salt Lake City, UT 84101 > www.wasatchgardens.org > (801) 359-2658 x12 > Wasatch Community Gardens' mission is to empower people of all ages and > incomes to grow and eat healthy, organic, local food. > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: < http://list.communitygarden.org/pipermail/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org/attachments/20110707/bf3caf8f/attachment.html > > _______________________________________________ > The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org > > To post an e-mail to the list: [email protected] > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: ? http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org > ------------------------------ Message: 9 Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 19:42:16 +0000 From: "Messacar, Nicole - LaPorte, IN" <[email protected]> To: Susan Finlayson <[email protected]>, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Community_garden] Partnering with local USDA offices Message-ID: < e4b9aec261da9a429d70b75b2d16bf8f01d...@001fsn2mpn1-008.001f.mgd2.msft.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Have you looked at your Soil and Water Conservation District? Most of them are "housed" in USDA Service Centers and often are always looking for ways to partner with other groups and agencies. They are really the "boots on the ground" for conservation. I am the Education Coordinator for our SWCD. Its usually easier to connect with us than the USDA because we are designed to be the liaison between the feds and the community. Also, look specifically at the NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service). Nicole Messacar Education Coordinator LaPorte County Soil and Water Conservation District (219) 362-6633, ext.3-office (219) 324-8317-fax 100 Legacy Plaza West LaPorte, IN 46350 www.laporteswcd.com ? "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." ~The Lorax -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto: [email protected]] On Behalf Of Susan Finlayson Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 2:30 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Community_garden] Partnering with local USDA offices Hi all, Does anyone have ideas for good ways to partner with local USDA offices? Some of our community gardens have interacted with the USDA through the "People's Garden" initiative. This has mostly entailed a few local USDA staff volunteering in our gardens over the last couple years. Recently they also approached us about participating in the "Feds Feeding Families Food Drive." (We already donate our extra produce to local food pantries, so it seems participating would probably just add more complexity at this point...) I'm wondering if there are more meaningful ways to engage USDA staff that we are not thinking of? -- Susan Finlayson Network Coordinator Wasatch Community Gardens 824 S. 400 W., Suite 127 Salt Lake City, UT 84101 www.wasatchgardens.org (801) 359-2658 x12 Wasatch Community Gardens' mission is to empower people of all ages and incomes to grow and eat healthy, organic, local food. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: < http://list.communitygarden.org/pipermail/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org/attachments/20110707/bf3caf8f/attachment.html > _______________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [email protected] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [email protected] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org End of Community_garden Digest, Vol 1309, Issue 2 ************************************************* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://list.communitygarden.org/pipermail/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org/attachments/20110707/1948c5bd/attachment.html> _______________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [email protected] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org
