Can I put a wood Bottom on a raised garden plot I'm building?

[WoodlandWoman]

For raised beds sitting on the ground that may bow, we drove stakes into the ground along the sides. It seemed to help for us. I think when we had the one that was waist high, we used metal t-posts. I think they were used as an upright support for some plants in that bed, too. It's been a long time.

My favorite raised bed is on the side of a hill and is more like a terraced bed. I built it with those cement stones that lock together, to make a retaining wall. I can sit on the edge of that one, while I work. I like that a lot. I put fragrant herbs at different spots along the edge to brush my fingers through, as a reward, when I'm weeding that one.

 

[NanaKat]

Let's go back to your first post....the yard is landscaped in rock over which you want to place a raised bed for veggies.....

What kind of rock are you talking about?

If is is a gravel or volcanic rock, check with your landlord about moving the rock to the side or to a storage spot somewhere in the in the yard. You will have the drainage you need for your veggies and can easily move the rock back when you move.
One or two 4 foot by 12 foot beds will give you plenty of ground to grow several veggies without breaking the bank or your back. Ours are made of 2 x 12 lumber and electric angle was cut for the corners and then bolts with nuts to attach the corners.

If the layout is boulders, then try using 1/2 whiskey barrels intermingled with the boulders. You can grow a different veggie in each barrel. Set the barrel on brick to raise it from the ground. Drill some drainage holes in the bottom. Your plants will not be snockered. No real construction is needed.

Now...California does have warmer springs than the rest of the country, so have fun....but don't overdo it. You will find that when the baby comes, you won't have the time to spend on the garden. Babies have a way of distracting us too.

 

[galanie]

No matter what kind of wood you use for the bottom, it will eventually rot. And scooping out the dirt will be harder than building up a new garden in the new place. Two feet of dirt.. No way in Hell I'd shovel that out. I've started and left gardens in 5 homes now and believe me, it's not that huge a deal. Even that great horse manure will rot away. It basically won't even be there in a couple years. I'm speaking from over 30 years organic gardening experience here (and former horse owner). Just bite it and make whatever the landlord will be ok with once you move. Trust me, making a new garden from scratch will be easier than what you are proposing to do.

 

[Egg Rookie 2010]

Yup...landscape fabric (and I have mine built with railroad ties lined with heavy plastic on sides) so they pretty much stack like lincoln logs. I used chicken wire on the bottom to keep out the gophers and then the fabric. I used a few concrete stakes to just keep everything aligned right. Try your local FREECYCLE group (this is a yahoo group you must join to enjoy the resource) I sing the praises of this group. It is based on recycling, being green and free stuff. I have given AND received some fantastic stuff. All you coop builders out there...this is the place to glean a ton of building materials!