Building a New Raised Bed from Fence Boards in the Garden - Part1

[@333fastcat]

The thoughtfulness you use when opening your videos is artfully written and the shoe idea was humble, Mr. Rogers esque. Love your videos!!

[@suburbanhomestead]

Thanks for the kind words. And I'm honored to have that reference.

[@rosagapi]

I'm in love with this house

[@Sunshine-ox3hc]

I'm a female, but I LOVE your bedroom.j It's so charming with the antique looking items, the ceiling beams, the colors, the four poster bed. I love the artistic way you shot that scene with you in the bedroom.

[@10xfarmstead85]

Oh I love the color you painted the house!!!

[@suburbanhomestead]

Thanks. I think the color really suits it. Although I'm almost sure the original intent when first built was to be white. But I could be wrong.

[@ElinWinblad]

suburban homestead love it very Swedish looking 😊🇸🇪

[@10xfarmstead85]

suburban homestead The best part of owning your own home is the fact that you gonna make it what you wanted! Not what it was originally attende The best part of owning your own home is the fact that you got to make it what you want. It will be interesting to see what you plant around the house to complement that color. I’m sure it will be wonderful.

[@luckychicav7981]

Hello Siloé! I was so distracted by the crown mounding and ceiling in your room that I’m going to go watch the video again from the beginning. I Love your Gorgeous home! 😉

[@luckychicav7981]

Great video and perfect timing, I want to build something like this because I never saw what was beating me to my strawberries and dug in my sweet potato plantings this fall Thank you, can’t wait for part 2. 😉

[@suburbanhomestead]

I sure had fun, (and exercised patience) making crown moulding. Yes, you will like part 2. (and a subsequent video later on with the chicken wire movable panels)

[@osccvh]

🤤🤓😍 You *made* and installed the crown moulding... Wow Incredible Will a video of your journey follow?

[@osccvh]

@@suburbanhomestead? Would be interesting to see and know about it

[@jsalyersarts]

I got distracted by thw wall paint behind the headboard! It's beautiful, and I'd love to know how he got that watercolor effect.

[@omfug7148]

I prefer decorative neat veg gardens so I am eager to see how your new garden turns out..

[@Czibs111]

Love the way you used different angles in your filming ! Lets the mind expand on the scene!!

[@HuwRichards]

Hi Siloe, what a beautiful video yet again! I love seeing new beds being build because it means more food to be grown! I hope groundhogs don't cause as much nuisance this year. All the best

[@suburbanhomestead]

Hi Huw! There are groundhogs around this new place (they are all over maryland) but I hope they never discover my plants. It seems that once they learn about it they (and their families) never forget. Once you see the full bed built in the next episodes, you will understand what i'm trying to do.

[@MegaIheartme]

You transformed your last place into something magical, so I'm so excited to see what you do with this place! Please also show us updates on your house as most of us gardeners also love decorating our homes...😊

[@amyjones2490]

Just cover it with cardboard and cover that with soil and compost. No digging.

[@suburbanhomestead]

That is very true, I just wanted to start planting immediately this time.

[@dustysgarden2254]

Just watch out if you have invasive grass. I am struggling with Kikuyu grass even using the cardboard, thick, with straw then dirt. It has invaded my garden beds. The stuff is like the vine out of jumanji! My only hope is to dig out the grass that is there, to get the root system. Which means our come all the garden beds and we start again. So it definitely pays to know the grass you are dealing with first.

[@OO_sunflower_OO]

Lol I was just about to ask why not do this? Maybe I was missing something

[@rainrabbit9209]

We made a grape Arbor from a long pallet and old deck rails. I painted it with left over house paint. It's beautiful! (Wow, the ceiling detail in your bedroom. I wouldn't be able to sleep looking up at that amazing work.)

[@nicholeregul4906]

Your house is amazing, such craftsmanship! You do it justice with your life style.

[@a_sterling4514]

Got some major Mr. Rogers vibes at the opening of this video. :)

[@suburbanhomestead]

I can't help it. :-)

[@a_sterling4514]

@@suburbanhomestead I wouldn't have it any other way.

[@lovesteadfarm8759]

I love your videos so much and planted zinnias with my tomatoes this year inspired by your garden. 💗 Have you considered just laying cardboard or newspaper down to kill out the grass? Then you can layer soil directly on top and the dying grass will feed the undisturbed soil biota. I typically sheet mulch when starting a new bed and it saves a lot of extra work!

[@athela2023]

Your home is so beautiful, I love the mouldings and your choice of wall color as well! I look forward to seeing your following video

[@suburbanhomestead]

I hope you enjoy discovering the house through the new episodes.

[@miqf914]

How exciting to see your new start in a garden that has more sunlight for you to play with! May this adventure be full of fun, learning, sharing, produce, and beauty!

[@fourniersfarm]

I really am so happy I found your Channel

[@gypsyvanneraddict]

Just such a beautiful design! Muito Lindo!! And I love the red and white color of the house- you can just feel the love and intention!! Congratulations!!

[@suburbanhomestead]

Thanks

[@dewalediblegardens7800]

Love the artsy curved boards.

[@Pamela-jr3ht]

Another non-toxic approach (using non-treated wood) would be to char/burn the boards. It weatherproofs and bug proofs. Blessings

[@suburbanhomestead]

That's something to consider in the future

[@chasing_happiness]

So you just use a torch and lightly darken the outside or really char char it? Like black charred?

[@Pamela-jr3ht]

@@chasing_happiness cottagelife.com/design-diy/why-you-should-use-charred-wood-in-your-next-project/

[@tatianka30006]

First of all - WOW! Your house is beautiful!! The molding, the ceilings, the wall color, the furnishings!! Secondly - I'm loving the curves you're putting into the structure! I can't wait for the next video!! I think the plants will be very happy in that sunny spot you chose! Over time I'm sure the whole yard will look more and more amazing and gorgeous, just like at your old house!

[@suburbanhomestead]

thanks. I'm glad you like it. enjoy the journey

[@mountainvalleysunshine7228]

Hey you should look up "Shou Sugi Ban" probably the most beutiful way to preserve wood. Also that stone retaining wall is an excellent heatsink 😉

[@suburbanhomestead]

Thanks. It sure is a good heat sink for tomatoes. And I quite like the way it. looks. They don't make them like they used to anymore

[@ej4753]

Love your videos! and the learning process. I am a new gardener and need all the help I can get; can't wait for next video :)

[@suburbanhomestead]

I'm happy to hear that. Hope you success with your garden

[@lindadavidson2237]

I love the color of the house.

[@suburbanhomestead]

Although I generally don't like red, I like deeper terracotta/ russett red. I felt that it would fit the arquitecture well. I personally like blue, but a blue house kind of gets lost in the landscape.

[@MESHR9]

After watching a movie called Biggest Little Farm, I learned that installing a barn owl box can help attract owls that can hunt gophers! An easy and natural solution thanks to mother nature.

[@cheakychic1]

What a wonderful idea to add a bit of whimsy to the garden i love the way you finished the top around the bed I may have to try that on my new bed this year ...Every year for the past 3 years i have added one or two new raised beds

[@suburbanhomestead]

I'm sure you will like it more once you see the end result.

[@scotchcrofter9964]

Yay the start of s new garden.

[@naseeramohd]

I love gardening too. Really helpful those really love the nature

[@IglooGirl1]

Siloe i LOVE your videos..the way they are filmed & edited are such a pleasure & a treat to watch. Your thoughtfulness & perspective on the topics in the video are so well articulated . I am in love with your new home...it's got so much depth & beauty from the glimpses you've shared. I see the outside is now a beautiful red! I cant wait to see how things progress,....i cant help but feel the house feels happy to have someone love it & start restoring it...sooo many beautiful features. I"m just as excited for the garden vids! :D How do you have time do work & do all the house & garden stuff & film? so thankful you share this with us. Blessings to you!

[@HeyShayShay]

Well I'm super excited for this new series on starting your new garden beds- because I just moved to a "new-to-me" home outside the city and I am starting over with a new garden as well. I'm excited to apply the lessons I've learned from my last garden, like taller raised beds, pollinator plants, and sun exposure. I've learned so much from you, I can't wait to see what's next!

[@suburbanhomestead]

wish you success in your new garden.

[@faerth5471]

So excited to see the next video! Thanks for sharing 🤗

[@EastxWestFarms]

love your videos, Siloe! Concerning pressure treated lumber, we've been in a similar situation a month or so ago. We decided to treat pine construction lumber with tung oil. Our soil is quite different: heavy Houston Black Clay and not an awful lot of rain during summer.

[@v3nnicat]

Those look tall. Can't wait to see how they turn out.

[@suburbanhomestead]

I think you will like it, once you see the completed result

[@drive-byguitarlessons1858]

Looking forward to your next video. I love the way the raised bed was shaping up and I think I may go with your design for my new beds this year.

[@suburbanhomestead]

Joe, I think you will like the full design once you watch the upcoming episodes.

[@kitdubhran2968]

As far as things looking nice, I have a veggie bed built up roughly three feet across. It’s a natural shape, organic. More like a turnip shape than a square or rectangle. All the edges are stones, small logs and trimmed tree branches. “Rustic garden bed”. Also, next time, try to do the cardboard lasagna the way Morag Gamble does. She puts down all the compost/soil/amendments/etc and then newspaper or cardboard. Then mulch over the top to keep in the moisture. If you only use some kind of potting mix and add compost later you can just put it all out and start planting through the newspaper/cardboard layer right away.

[@marymcandrew7667]

Hi, great design on those boards! What may also work well for you, turn the sod clumps over right where they lay in the garden and let them dry a bit. But also I found what got the soil off best is just to beat the clump against the tines of my garden fork, right in the garden, lots of soil comes off where you want it. Also as others have said, the 'No Dig' method is really great if you can wait a bit to plant.

[@suburbanhomestead]

Thanks. Yes no dig is always better if you have time to wait

[@gogreenlocally]

Sheet mulching (aka lasagna gardening) can work well right over the top of the grass. If you like, you can solarize the grass before covering it up. Sheet mulching is essentially composting in place. Another option might be to look for a fence company scrap yard.

[@zelphmyster]

Good choice using PT wood. The science shows that it is now safe. Plus the fact that it is cheaper and made from fast growing pine makes it the best choice for a long-term wood bed frame.

[@demetriuspowell29]

Yup

[@suburbanhomestead]

That's what I thought, but usually I do prefer non-synthetic chemicals in the garden

[@DiazTheDuke00]

I was hoping to find this comment, thank you!

[@dopaminey9946]

Renovated an really old concrete flowerbed I inherited. Am trying to turn it into a smaller higher raised square bed with amended soil. My first plant is lemon balm because too many mosquitos back there - also southwest sun. Like you I just liked how worn and retro the concrete bricks are. Unlike you I use my eye without any true measurements (I prefer your method, but, oh well) Yours looks better than mine, but you know sentimental about old stuff being used as much as possible.

[@suburbanhomestead]

Recycling is the way to go. Lemon balm spreads a lot so be mindful of that. It will also not do too much to dissuade mosquitoes. I had a lot of them in my last garden.

[@dopaminey9946]

@@suburbanhomestead Wrong name. It's actually lemon grass which I've used before and seemed to work since it was a small garden; it becomes a monster which is what I want here in this a little bigger area. Anyway, agree with you about recycling. Thanks for the advice about lemon balm. Same as mint which I've plant in a large pot - can anything kill it?

[@LegumesEtFleurs]

You are very lucky to have such good soil. Ours is clay with a lot of gravels and rocks. Since the side of our house is sloping down, I will just be putting cardboards then add good soil on top of it. I am so tired of digging and turning the soil as I did early this month when the weather was warmer. Can.t sait for the next part.

[@suburbanhomestead]

I must admit it is a great thing to have access to good soil

[@bestbuilder1st]

Instead of using pressure-treated lumber, a healthier option might have been to look on Craigslist for free used cedar fencing. A week doesn't go by when someone isn't begging people to take it, for free and if you are patient you will get some good material. As a side note, I used some Douglas fir 2 x 10 boards I had lying around from an old project. I slapped some boiled linseed oil on them and they have lasted over6 years old now. Though they have greyed out, they show no signs of rot.

[@RiverPlaid]

I think that you would do well with the shou Sufi ban method of preserving your boards. On of your other subbies suggested it. The boards will last for decades and will be pest free. Check it out.🌸

[@suburbanhomestead]

It would be good. Although I was using very inexpensive fence boards. It would be hard to beat the price

[@CRHall-ud9mq]

Thoroughly enjoyed, and inspiring ideas to take from this! Thank you :-)

[@leslieMClass80]

Love your new place!

[@suburbanhomestead]

I hope you enjoy seeing it change

[@51rwyatt]

I missed that he moved. Gradually have realized it.

[@rajpatel23240]

Waiting Part 2🌱

[@suburbanhomestead]

I think you will like it.

[@melodyscamman244]

I've been told that non pressure treated posts will last longer if the end in the ground is "charred" by using a propane torch or open fire... Can't attest to it, but the "old-timers" practiced this method (I'll turn 70 in two weeks and this was told to me in the early 60s)... Oh, I was also told to plant TWO or more apple trees from seed... you can always graft on a variety you like, but apple cider vinegar can be made from ANY apple and can be used for food, for medicine and as a disinfectant. 😉😄

[@suburbanhomestead]

It would be interesting to try and see which method lasts longer.

[@brucewayne-cn4vd]

An easy way to remove sod is to cover it with cardboard and put soil over the cardboard.

[@suburbanhomestead]

very true. I just wanted to start planting immediately and not purchase soil, so I had to dig.

[@brucewayne-cn4vd]

@@suburbanhomestead Oh and I'm confused did you move into a new house?

[@anustwist6305]

@@brucewayne-cn4vd yess he did, watch the video before this one.

[@victorybeginsinthegarden]

Looks good, but have you checked your property for lead paint

[@CoffeeCakeCrumble]

Look at all that sun!! I think you're going to be overwhelmed with bumper crops 👊

[@suburbanhomestead]

Yes it is a marked improvement

[@davidhudson3567]

Pressure-treated wood is just fine because they treat it with copper and the FDA says it's ok for garden use.

[@princessperibanu380]

Hello! Goodness, you always work so hard. A suggestion for future beds...just turn sod upside down onto soil after cutting it out. It will break down quickly and you get to keep the so important bacteria in place. Then all you have to do is plop some potatoes (or whatever) in between each sod piece, maybe cover with hay or grass clippings, and then wait for a beautiful harvest. Can't wait to see how your season grows! :))

[@suburbanhomestead]

I agree. I've done that in the past and added a layer of cardboard to prevent weeds. I just wanted to jumpstart the season this time faster and wanted to fill the beds to the brim of the raised bed. You will see it next episode

[@ToyLuv88]

love these! what was the tool you used to cut the decorative features into the fence post?

[@dfhepner]

You could get untreated wood and use Tim-Bor which is a borax type of powder. It will soak into wood and keep termites out.

[@suburbanhomestead]

will it slow down rotting also with ground contact?

[@dfhepner]

suburban homestead yes. It will also help prevent fungus. Also use it on your house.

[@yvencia1150]

Thank you for sharing🤗🤗

[@CekodokPisangSedap]

ah i need part 2 asap !

[@suburbanhomestead]

Next Sunday. I plan to release 2 episodes a week from feb - june

[@jenniewilliams1668]

I love your video and I'm really enjoying the raised bed video. What are your thoughts on "No Dig" gardening. Warm regards Jennie

[@KerriEverlasting]

I'm at this stage. Under the grass here is a layer of nasty rocks put there for drainage. Which would be ok if I wanted grass to grow over the top of the rocks, but garden beds demand removal of the rocks, then deep excavation of heavy clay and sandstone before refilling with a mixture of healthier soil. It is a little soul destroying going so slow, I'll check back in a few years and let you know lol

[@suburbanhomestead]

Just do a bit at a time. Having a strong design is what matters.

[@christianhansen3292]

what are those pole posts called?

[@Vector_Ze]

Is that your smart fortwo?

[@lindaknittel7648]

Beautiful! I absolutely LOVE your new home! I know that you probably have plans to refinish the porch woodwork (because, let's be honest - that's your forté!) You truly are one of the most creative people out there, and I can't wait to see this raised bed finished. I can already envision how your yard is going to look, and its stunning! By the way, can I assume this video was shot awhile ago? It looked pretty warm there! Then again, you are in MD and even in northeastern PA we have been having a relatively mild winter, so perhaps my thinking is way off. Hope you are enjoying every day in your new home, and thank you - as always! - for sharing with us. :) And now I must wait.....patiently.....for your next EPISODE!! {:-o

[@suburbanhomestead]

Thank you. yes I am restoring the porch. most of my videos are shot at least 1 year ago. It takes time to edit to show progress when planting.

[@lindaknittel7648]

@@suburbanhomestead Ok, yes - I figured as much! I was wondering.....have you been doing all of the carpentry, painting, refurbishing work on your home alone? It seems like quite an undertaking, but I suppose if you are able to do it slowly, at your own pace, it's not so bad. I know a lot of the woodwork restoration takes time. I am excited to see all of the upcoming videos, between the new gardens and the house. :) Have a wonderful week, Siloé!

[@jgarno100]

Is this an old video? I don’t see your lovely front yard plantings.

[@suburbanhomestead]

This is my new home where I’m starting over

[@michaeltodd4686]

Isn't treated wood toxic?

[@Pete.Ty1]

👍

[@EdugeBDroN]

I can't draw a stick....I would need a projector and stencil to draw the curves...

[@ladyryan902]

Love your paintings...suggestion? Put up PayPal lots of people support you but lots of people can give 5 or 10. Only

[@rengiekago1850]

lol its already summer in southern California

[@torimarshall9599]

This is so wonderful! I'm making plans for my sliver of earth, and your videos are so inspiring. Thank you for them. On another note, what shoes are you wearing??

[@bevs9312]

❤❤❤👍

[@suburbanhomestead]

:-)

[@lizrobertson8512]

No dig...see Charles Dowding

[@candiwallace6605]

❤❤👍👍💃🌱🌱

[@cndgroff]

Put mothballs in ground hog holes. They will go elsewhere

[@syeduddin3114]

We want to see your garden not shoes

[@suburbanhomestead]

LOL