Two Years Later | Q& A

[@theFLshark]

Instead of rock, you can use burlap in the bottom. That will allow more drainage than the weed fabric and you can just compost the burlap at the end of the season.

[@captaindj9790]

I put thinner support boards between the legs just for fun. AND I put casters on the legs. My wife LOVES the fact that She can role it to different areas if she’d like.

[@loganhatch]

Thats a good thought! Going to apply this myself

[@billstahr1]

This was the first thing I built. I made it for my dad. He loved it so much I had to make him another one this year!!

[@johnmud5085]

Awesome vids!!!! I built this with these alterations... used 4 layers of natural burlap stapled to the frame and eliminated the wire mesh and landscape fabric. Worked perfect! Also, I planted a cucumber plant, zucchini plant, and one squash plant and trained them to grow up 2 A-frame trellises... awesome!!

[@janehepworth91]

Sounds good. Did you use more cross pieces than Mitch to support the burlap? How many years do you think the burlap will last?

[@Shanngella]

Oh burlap great idea

[@johnmud5085]

@@janehepworth91 Yes I used enough cross pieces to leave roughly 4" gaps for drainage. Drains great. I think the burlap should last at least 3 years.

[@lindashankle9645]

@@johnmud5085 burlap is a great idea. Thanks.

[@usnedo]

6:30 ​@@johnmud5085

[@muffin21958]

We have a plethora of old fencing lumber (redwood) up here in Northern CA 1x6: 4 @ 46 1/2" 13 @ 24" 4x4: 4 @ 30" So simple man, Thanks. I made the bottom solid, then drilled a bunch of 3/4" holes with a forstner bit. Then I added the screen, followed by a very porous fabric. 2 or 2 1/2" galv. screws to fasten plus 2 flat simpson brackets (3/4" screws) to merry the 46 1/2s in the middle. Built 2 for my wife for $10.00 Herbs are thriving, Look great! plus they match our fence. Thanks Mitch From Chris (42 year Union Carpenter)

[@ryanolson4284]

I Also built 2 side boxes for cucumber and other side for 2 tomatoe plants. Each with room to grow up. Each has those round metal trellis

[@hiyoutube-k1z]

Thank you so much for both videos! You gave us a sturdy & easy to construct design for our raised beds & the Q&A helped us put some thought into a drainage solution. We lined the bottoms with 1/4 inch hardware cloth, then put burlap over that. So far, seems to be draining great & keeping the soil in. Will come back with an update if it ends up not working out. Thanks again!

[@yvonnes154]

How did the burlap work?

[@jordanrussell9607]

Was looking for a simple elevated bed to build for a greenhouse for my mother, as she's getting older and can't kneel in the garden anymore. Both videos were great, I think I'm going to give this a try. Thanks so much!

[@maryannholmgren3076]

that's a good idea, I'm probably at "moms" age and yes we love our time with plants, just harder to swat and get back up lol. Hope it turned out for you and her.

[@williamlee95]

This is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Thanks so much Mitch!

[@patlee7949]

Hello ,enjoyed your tutorial so much I built two! I put window screen at the bottom. We will see how this works....Thanks for sharing

[@CB71SS]

I built a 4' X 8' raised bed for a co-worker and used 1" PVC in the bottom with holes drilled in it and 2 holes on each end for the pipe to stick through and he said he hasn't had any problems with too much water and said even in a heavy rain the excess water drains out.

[@frankhank3301]

I used the fabric in mine and I have not had any drainage issues. It actually drains pretty quickly and I now have other things growing under my boxes. No, not weeds. Just plants that were in the original garden bed box that I removed.

[@helicopterjones4352]

This was my first quarantine project with my son. We made it 5’ x 3’ and he LOVES it. It was a fun project and has been teaching him about gardening and giving him some responsibility of watering and taking care of his vegetables. Thanks for the DIY

[@MadebyMitch]

That is great! Thanks for sharing!

[@ingridgoldbloombloch3889]

Can you share your plans and a picture?

[@frankhank3301]

Same thing with me. I made three beds, and went 3 pickets deep instead of 2. My plants are looking great. Ive had some casualties due to frost. Ive since made a set of cornhole boards, an above the sink plant shelf, and have several more projects in the works. AInt the lock down fun....

[@AngelAlpine]

I built this with the guidance of your first video! I’d be more than happy to share pictures with anyone! I went 24” W x 48” L and the legs were 36” in height. We wanted it a little lower as it would already be lifted on higher ground. I also added a shelf on the side with 2 2x4’s and some L support brackets. I also added a design hook on one end. Thank you!

[@jordanrussell9607]

The hook is a great add! That would be perfect for our irrigation system! Thanks for the idea!

[@DavePianist]

Hi! I just built an elevated planter box following your plan. Thanks so much for the information! Any update on your next attempt for the drainage? Like not using any fabric at all and just put gravel and then dirt. How does it turn out? Thanks!!

[@mikahl757]

Made this off your first videos material & cutlist, but I only used one of the 4x4x8s to make qty: 4, 30" 4x4s. But sure I'll have a use for it in another proj. Thanks and looking for next proj.

[@barbaradumler6503]

How about just covering the mesh with several layers of newspaper. It may keep the potting mix in long enough until everything settles. Also, I would add wheels to the legs. Great job.

[@jordanrussell9607]

Wheels! A great idea!

[@HDMOVIECREATOR2012]

Did you paint it with waterproofing solution? Or left it as is

[@PopularMechanics]

Nice work!

[@MadebyMitch]

Thank you!

[@Therapy72]

I'm going to borrow from this design, but will probably make it with three staggered 2x4s. Cedar planks are kind of pricey, but I do like your design. Perhaps a layer of lava rocks would solve your drainage issue?

[@blackriflemensorganization6139]

Looking to build 3 of these for a small greenhouse project. Your property is amazing! What part of the country are you in? Everything is so green!

[@MetaMarcy21]

I’m fairly certain gravel can cause root issues (see Garden Answer videos re: this)- why not a slightly finer layer of mesh in the bottom?

[@janehepworth91]

I think 1/4" x 1/4" is the smallest wire fencing [ hardware cloth or mesh] you can buy. But what about screening? Some of it is strong enough to keep animals from breaking through... any comments?

[@nicolegrosklos]

We lined with a roll of coco fiber

[@robertchisholm9337]

Liked your video. Decided to build one. I have a few questions. What type of gravel are you considering? I put a coat of water sealer because I was using untreated lumber will this hinder the soil? Will drilling holes in the support boards help with draining. Thank you once again for the video. RGC

[@MrLanceboil]

Great vid thx!!!

[@stigharding3534]

Going to build one and am perplexed by the calculations on how much soil. Using an online calculator the results were: 48 * 24 * 12 in = 8 ft³ not 4. Has anyone used built and filled this with bags? If so how many did you need?

[@Loganpvp]

If you don't have interlocking boards do you need to perform any extra steps?

[@josephzych1523]

Anyone use the rocks/gravel with success?

[@lauram.ford-marchelos2384]

Gravel will help with drainage but will seep dirt all over your concrete and not work out well imo.

[@dentonramsey30]

tip for everyone i just got done building these and i used cedar wood fencing for the side rails and bottom supports it is a little thinner (5/8” instead of 1”) and and a little less wide it comes in 3 1/2” and 5 1/2” but it works great and is much cheaper cheaper it is $2.27 for the 5 1/2” and i believe $1.97 for the 3 1/2” i bought 4 of the wider pieces and 2 of the smaller ones and it came out to $13.92 at home depot with tax i already had some cedar posts that were an odd size like 3x3 as opposed to 4x4 but they should hold up great

[@MadebyMitch]

Thanks Denton! 👍

[@rs-vl2im]

How did the gravel at the bottom workout for you Mitch? Better than the landscaping paper?

[@mwmingram]

I would be interested in this too.

[@charlessmith3151]

@@mwmingram me too me too

[@TWISMatic]

Mine was about $90 total compared to the smaller version on Wayfair which was about $240. Mine look way better.

[@barbaradumler6503]

If you put a trellis in the back you could do cucumbers. Nice video.

[@jsscanlon516]

Dude great vid, got all the mats for $60 at HD and building later today. Keep it up and luv the follow up vid.

[@simongilchrist3329]

All of my garden boxes are pressure treated. Never any issues. My research suggests you pretty much need to eat the wood before it harms you.

[@lornahardin4563]

Could you use a good heavy window screen in place of landscape fabric over the mesh, should have good drainage.

[@WingoTribe704]

Pre-boiled linseed oil!!!!! My fabric is doin tha DO!! I added worms to tha soil for aerating purposes

[@andrear3325]

Thank you for the video, it become a pandemic project for us as well. Question: do you completely empty it at the end of the season? Or what steps do you take when your done with it for the season? Thanks again.

[@fruitascension5089]

Thanks for this second video! I just found your first one and I was wondering about these other details! Yayyyy!

[@MadebyMitch]

Great to hear! Thanks for watching. 👍

[@tacooflove6175]

Same here 🙂

[@Blackshirtsguru]

Built mine last month following your original video

[@TWISMatic]

I made two of them for my wife, works like a charm. I have herbs growing in them

[@MadebyMitch]

That is great! Thanks for sharing. I'm glad it worked out for you. 👍

[@tedm4932]

I use composite deck boards and never have to worry about wood rotting. Works very well & price not much higher but worth it !

[@Animus141]

Super helpful, and glad it auto-played after watching the first one so I could see that you take out the weed mesh lol. Thanks, GL

[@aidasings100]

Do not use pressure treated because it leaches toxic chemicals into the soil! One can use rough redwood which will last longer and food grade wood seal to seal the wood to decrease evaporation of water from the soil out of the wood.

[@ragingmoon66]

Thanks so much for sharing. Built one today in about 2-3 hours. A feature I added was black corrugated drainage pipe along the bottom with holes drilled in the sides of the box. Looking forward to growing herbs in it this year.

[@djcrak]

What about lining the bottom of the mesh with tree moss? I heard rocks could cause problems with the roots growing. IDK. just thinking...

[@MadebyMitch]

That is a good thought. Thanks for sharing.

[@ileenkelly3346]

Can I Plant Mustard greens or Collards

[@kellyericwalker1210]

Any ideas on how I might modify this to make it a worm compost bin?

[@WingoTribe704]

I used pressure treated and spent under $30. Tha amount of alkaline and copper in tha wood is not harmful to the soil. Besides, our bodies contains copper and alkaline anyway

[@MadebyMitch]

Good to know! I never knew this. Thank you!

[@ireneurbon1751]

Can you plant potatoes in this?

[@cybermortal1983]

thanks for this, will be building this design soon. Gonna try the gravel for drainage.

[@evolved326]

Thanks man. I like your logo.

[@MadebyMitch]

Thank you Huy.

[@sandrarichardson2713]

Thanks so much for the update. I am wanting to do something along this line. Just a few plants close to the door for grabbing for cooking or a salad. On the drainage....I have seen one of these built with the slats fully across the bottom with a very small (nail size) crack between slats. But, also, the slats slanted about 1 or 2" down toward one side. This gave the box good drainage during downpours. There are some charts here and there on the internet that give plant heights and root depths. This info sometimes helps with being successful in what you want to plant---make the box deep enough or think about the height of the legs. Also some of the companion planting charts that let you know what to plant by each other and what not to plant by each other. Once you jot down the things you want to plant and scribble down the other info...you'll have a good personalized chart just for you. Jesus bless.

[@ryanolson4284]

Its 2023 and i just made one same size with all pressure treated. Cost was 65 dollars. (1) 4x4 8ft. (3)1x6 8ft. And (2) 1x4 8ft

[@VincentWarlock]

Just built your design for my wife's herb garden. Thanks for the update!

[@nomanejane5766]

dont think gravel is a great option, google perched water table. what a about cocoa liner lined with plastic (with openings for draining)

[@philackerly3174]

Thanks Mitch. Just what the wife wants. On my way to buy the lumber.

[@oscaraguilera3125]

Sorry to bother you Mitch, can you help me with something, please?

[@lindashankle9645]

Thanks for your great ideas and for sharing your videos. I purchased everything from watching your first video. Because I am a container gardener, I use the moisture control potting soil for containers and never have too much water. I'm wondering what type of soil you used that wouldn't drain.

[@chetisanhart3457]

How would onions and garlic do in that arrangement ?

[@user-sg9wn9np2j]

Do you leave the soil in it after the growing season...for winter?

[@readingwithms.reeree]

Can you just add sand to the dirt to help with drainage?

[@CarlosJamie]

Thanks for the video. I combined your plans with ideas from a few on KZbin and also from Instructables. So far so good. My biggest concern is the lack of cement I used around the legs and the possibility of termites. Any recommendations at this point?

[@georgiewhite956]

I'm glad I saw this before I started to build. Do you know how to make night tables and chest of drawers?

[@socaloutdoors7355]

Another great vid

[@scotthelland5169]

Ty

[@TheOnlyOwnedbyCow]

Surprisingly gravel is not a good choice for drainage in pots and planters. The water will settle at the bottom of the soil on top of the gravel. There are videos explaining this. Gravel is a great choice for other drainages, just not for this particular useage.

[@TheOnlyOwnedbyCow]

What about using a screen mesh like what would be used as a window screen? This seems like it would work but idk without testing.

[@dougcrowhurst2135]

You could try coconut fibre.

[@WayWoodworking]

Beautiful back yard. Good to see you back! Looks like the planter is holding up well!

[@MadebyMitch]

Thanks Tony! It's good to hear from you. I hope all is well.

[@teammilesdragonboat2018]

We made this project 4' x 6'. It looks really great. We added more slats at the bottom and an extra leg in the middle of the box to support the broader width. We plan to put heavy burlap on the wire to hold in the soil. Thanks for this DIY!

[@MadebyMitch]

That is great! Thanks for sharing. Great idea to add the extra leg in the middle and I would be curious to know how the burlap does. Thanks for sharing