So I want to start a garden...

[cbianco]

Ok...

I've wanted a garden for the past couple of years. I've never had the energy or know-how to create one. I've decided, this year is the year of the garden, for me.

So...

I have clay soil. The drainage stinks! I want to build a raised bed garden and bring in soil.

Questions...

1. Where should I start? I'm not good at building things and I'm not made of money.

2. Any good links? Yes I know how to use Google, don't be a smarty pants. I need simplicity.

3. What should I know about gardening in TX? I don't have a green thumb but I have desire.

Also...

I started a compost in my old large garbage can. I drilled holes for air and drainage and added worms. I know it won't be ready for a minimum of a few months but I like the idea of making my own fertilizer/super soil.

Lastly...

I want to plant strawberries in my flower bed. My flower bed has well amended soil. The bed recieves sunlight (direct) from sun up to sun down.

Any tips on if this will work and what I would need to do?

Thanks for any help you can provide me!

Christopher

[FireWater]

I can't help with the strawberries as I have never had much luck with them.

Now the garden I can help with. Easiest raised bed is w/ treated lumber. Using 2 - 2X6's or using single 2X12 is sufficient to raise it up and give you working room. Need to clear the area - don't want the grass working back in and if I remember you have bermuda (nasty grass)- then level it out. We can sink in some 4X4 posts on the corner for sure and some along the outside middle depending on how big you go with the lay out. A cap on the top is nice and adds to the aesthetics of it.
Gardenville is a great place to research ideas and get hardcopy info. Melvin Beck is the pioneer of natural gardening in this area and known nationwide.
I have all the tools you need and might even be available to supervise you doing the work and no cost.

[cbianco]

How many seasons do you predict that the treated lumber would last?

I know that HD, Lowes and WM sell resin/plastic raised bed garden kits.

Christopher

[kkiel02]

Yes sounds like a raised bed would be for you. Which as you fill it with dirt you can fill it with a nutrient rich soil. We have a pretty good growing season here. Rain as you know is iffy. We are on the hotter side of what most plants want but we can get away with growing them. So back on to the bed... A raised bed with great soil and you can ammend the soil each growing season with your compost and a tiller. For water I would use a soaker hose or drip irrigation, this allows for the least evaporation.

As far a strawberries you want a sandy soil to allow for drainage. They hate being water logged and the roots will quickly rot on you.

Just keep everything watered and if you ever need any books I still have them around here somewhere from college but alot are pretty in depth on soil science and plant anatomy.

Oh almost forgot to keep the weeds out which take water and nutrients away from your veggies. Good luck

[ErikH]

Lol I am staring my veggie garden this year too. Almost time to plant everything! I am going to use a soaker hose coming off of rain barrels.

[theedprado]

Best to plant strawberrys in the fall, I have about a dozen sequoia and chandlers that were started in pots a few months ago if you are intrested. Can also help with the weeds to put a layer of plastic at the base of the raised bed. Cinder blocks work well too.