Last Year's Deck Garden

Are you enjoying gardening season? After a long frigid winter, I am positively reveling in summer weather! Our deck garden is coming along nicely and I can't wait until everything fills in and plants start really producing.
A reader emailed asking if I gave a garden tour last year. Well it turns out that I didn't share one... Strange, I don't know how I missed that. So I thought I'd share what my deck garden looked like last year, then later when this year's garden is producing I'll be sure to share so you can see what I've done differently. 

What my deck looked like last year...

We have a lovely forested view off of our deck. It is very a lovely area to lounge, and I'm hopeful I'll have to to update it this year. I've been dragging my feet on this project...every time I go outside I end up plunking down on my lounge unable to get up. *grin*

This is the view from inside my living room to one part of our backyard deck. I love being to look out and see the beauty of the great outdoors. 

I was happy to find this little fold-up bistro set abandoned by the previous owners in the attic. It is a nice spot for an outdoor breakfast or evening tea. 

Last year I built deck beds and made them sub-irrigated so that I would only have to water once every few months! I also upgraded the container garden to be sub-irrigated.

My kids love sugar snap peas... I mean they REALLY love sugar snap peas. They would eat most of them, then collect just a few in the basket to bring into the house. The hubby and I barely had any peas last summer, so this year we're planting twice as many!

I love the color of cabbage...oh I love the taste too, but I really enjoyed watching them grow. 

I hope you enjoyed this little tour of my deck garden. I'm looking forward to sharing the upgrades I'm hoping to make to this year's garden!

Garden Fever Prt. 3: Building Raised Sub-Irrigation Beds

Why Raised? Why Sub-Irrigated?
Do you really have to ask? My raised beds sit on my deck and are as work-free as a garden can get! They are self watering, requiring a refill once every two months, and they help extend my summer planting season. Oh, and as for weeding, well...what weeding? *swoon* I love my little deck garden! I promise to give you another peak later in the summer when all my little seedlings are fully grown.

Soooo, have you created your self-watering container garden yet? Wait what? You didn't see that post? Well ok, then you must start with Part 1: Starting Seedlings of my Garden Fever series, then go to Part 2: Container Gardening, and this is the last post in this 3 part series. If you have, then please, by all means...onward!

Necessary Materials
Bed Building Materials
These are the materials I used to build one raised bed, however you can simply adjust the dimensions to suit materials on sale or your desired height, length, and width. There is one reason alone why I chose the type of wood I did...it was cheap. It was $1.89 per 8 ft. board cheap!!! So believe me, if I could have found taller cedar boards at that smashtastic price, I would have used them. *wink* Basically I spent $12 to build two raised beds after purchasing 4 - 8 ft. boards, one piece of framing wood, and some soil . I used leftover deck stain & seal left in my garage by the previous owners, and  I salvaged castors from a piece of roadside furniture. 

To Build One Raised Bed

• 2 - 1 in. x 7.25 in. x 8 ft. Cedar Board
• 1 - 1 in. x 1.5 in. x 8 ft. Framing Lumber
• One Salvaged Pallet 
• 1 1/2 in. Deck Screws
• Deck Stain & Seal
• Castors (optional)

Sub-Irrigation System Materials

• 3/4" PVC Pipe & Cap
• 4" Drain Pipe
• Thick Plastic Sheeting (vapor barrier)
• 1/2" Vinyl Tubing
• Top Soil
• Garden Soil

How-To Build Your Own Raised Sub-Irrigation Bed
Again, some things are just better shown in action...so I will show you via video how to build your bed, and install the sub-irrigation system. If you watched the video I did on how to create self-watering planters here then you should know the idea is the same, however the materials are a little different. 

Drainage Tip
If your garden is on a second story deck, or you just don't want it draining all over your deck floor, be sure to place a plastic drip pan under your vinyl drain tube. Or you can just do what I do, allow it to overflow into one of my planters. 

Create a Shade/Greenhouse Covering
I saw this idea on Pinterest and it really appealed to me.
Use the leftover PVC pipe to create holders for a "shade" useful for those especially hot days. 
This will be very helpful for your transplanted seedlings as they acclimate. They usually can't withstand an entire day of sun, but now that they are being kept moist from the roots up, and have a shade until they are ready, nothing can get them down! 

•  Use Two Hole Straps to attach the PVC to your beds. You can attach them to the outside of your bed. Or attach them hidden on the inside of your bed before filling with garden soil. 
• Purchase a thinner bendable PVC that can loop over top of your raised bed. 
• Create a shade by cutting garden cloth to size over the loops.
• **TIP: if you created long narrow beds like I did, push them side by side and loop your shade over both as in the picture below. 

Even better, late fall replace the garden cloth with the leftover plastic sheeting to transform your bed into a greenhouse and extend your growing season. Use your plastic sheeting in the early spring and even into the summer for heat-loving plants... it also can help to warm the soil up in spring before seeding into it. 

Enjoy your raised beds! I know I will...

Garden Fever Prt.2: Container Gardening

True to Ursula fashion, each year I am all-over-the-place excited to start my garden in spring, then comes vacation time... inevitably, my overly large garden takes a hit that it never fully recovers from. Some plants struggle to stay alive while I am out of town, or those insidious weeds make a power play for my poor little garden (and usually win), or worst Jack Frost comes to town early in the fall to rob me of part of my harvest! *sigh* However it happens, my garden has never quite  made it to my dreamy ideal... This year I'm preparing to go to battle. My garden will be ready to pack a punch to whatever decides to attack this year! I'm going for work-free, self-watering, organic & natural, bug-repelling techniques, and I'm sharing all the how-to's!
Last week I shared how I started my seedlings here, this week, I'm focusing on the container part of my garden, then  join me as I show you how to build raised beds here!

Container Gardens For Less

A container garden is easy to prepare and care for, but can cost a lot of money when you need to spring for lots of large pots. Save some money by opting for plastic planters and painting it to suit your design. And of course, search thrift and hardware resale stores for pots first! 
I found a ton of small plastic pots at a Habitat for Humanity Restore for pennies! Cha-ching! I also managed to find medium and large plastic pots at Walmart last year for $3 a piece as the  planting season ended, you can usually find their large plastic pots for $5 - $7, so it is still a cheap find compared to ceramic pots. 
Another fantastic idea is to use large buckets (like the ones you purchase in the paint section of the hardware store), or outdoor rubber storage bins. 

Painting Plastic Pots
The terra cotta paint color on these thrifty plastic pots wasn't doing anything for me. Well I say, when design fails...spray paint! 

IMPORTANT: When you spray paint your pots, please ensure your pots are empty, and please please do not spray paint the inside where your soil will  go. ONLY paint the outside and the inner lip to where the soil will start. It is better to ensure you are not contaminating your soil. A layer of clear protective spray paint will help ensure the paint doesn't scratch off over time. 

Before

After

Turning Your Pots Into Sub-Irrigation Planters (SIP's)
The challenge with container gardening is ensuring your plants stay watered...or maybe that's just me! Either way, there are many benefits to creating sub-irrigation planters... 
1. Eliminates the need for frequent watering
2. Aerates the soil
3. Waters plants from below, which helps most plants thrive and is especially good for plants such as tomato plants.

How SIP's Works
1. All SIP's require a space or container to store water under the soil in the base of your planter. Recycled milk or juice containers are often used, I use soup and butter containers...be sure to only use plastics rated at the safest EPA ratings of #2, #4, & #5.
2. Next it requires a pipe that goes from the surface to the underground container for you to fill your water storage container. 
3. It requires a medium that will wick the water up through the soil to your plant. Although many people use cotton, the soil itself can be that agent and works best!
4. Last it requires a method of drainage to prevent over watering and let you know when your water storage container is full. This can be a drilled hole at a specific height, but for planters (where the holes are at the base), a container or plastic tarp barrier to hold the water until it can reach a certain height before draining is needed. 

How-to Video
Here I will demonstrate how to turn your existing pots into sub-irrigation planters. It is a very easy process, and you can turn several pots into SIP's in an afternoon!

Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Drainage Important?
Different plants have different needs, but continuously over saturated soil can cause disease in even some of the most thirsty plants. So good drainage is key!  

Alternative Drainage Materials: Using a plastic bucket just smaller than your planter is the easiest method, however thick vapor barrier plastic used for painters tarp will work as well. An alternative to purchasing plastic is using grocery bags. It has the same EPA rating as the tarp plastic, and best of all, it's free! Just check for holes, and layer several bags.

How Does the Water Flow from One Storage Container To The Next?
Are you scratching your head wondering why the fill container and the reserve container aren't connected? The strips you cut in the bottom of those containers is all it needs...the water flows out of the fill container across the floor of the plastic tarp or container into the reserve container, and the rest is leeched through the tightly packed top soil all around it. Don't worry, trust the science of it...it works. *wink* With a little time, both containers will fill with water, and as the soil above loses moisture the water will continue to be drawn up as needed. 

Where Did you Get Your Water Storage Containers & Drainage Container?
The containers I'm using for water storage are recycled butter containers, sour cream containers, and soup containers you get from ordering take out! Look for safer plastics encircled by a #2, #4, and #5, which your thicker butter containers usually are.
The drainage container (also a safer plastic choice) was an old paint mixing bucket that had never been used...you can find buy them new in the paint section for about $2. 

How Do I know When My SIP is Full or Requires Refill?
The water will begin to drain out of the base of your planter. Then you will know that the fill container, the reserve container, and the drainage container is full. For the first few weeks check deep in the soil for moisture so you will know when your SIP's are empty in need of a refill. In the future you will begin to get a feel for how much water it can take, and how much time passes before needing to refill. 

Cap Your PVC Fill Tube:
Purchase caps to fit your PVC pipe. It will ensure that bugs and dirt can't get into your fill container. It will also prevent evaporation.


Container Gardening Details
Success in container gardening is in the littlest details... so here are a few things I recommend you do:

Choose The Best Soil
The benefit of container gardening is getting the soil right at the outset. Take that extra time to choose the best! In my family buying organic isn't usually a great financial option, so this is my chance to have organic fruits and vegetables!

Prevent Weeds
A couple minutes to add a bit of weed barrier will make life so much easier in the long-run, in addition it will help prevent moisture in the soil from evaporating as quickly increasing the effectiveness of your SIP's. 
You can use weed barrier/garden cloth, some leftover plastic from your SIP project, or even a black garbage bag. 
Place over top of your soil and your fill pipe, cut a hole to accommodate the fill pipe, then tuck the edges into the soil. Cut an X where you will plant. 

For plants that require less moisture to maintain health, try different types of "weed barriers". Mulch, *gravel, or even *river rocks make a pretty barrier. These do require some maintenance, as weeds can still sprout, but it makes a difference as opposed to not using any barrier at all. 
*Gravel or rocks can be used for plants that love heat only...the rocks will reflect sunlight onto your plants and absorb heat into your soil. Be careful to keep vegetables that "hang" off the rocks or they will burn. 

Make Plants Movable
There are benefits of being able to move your plants as needed, and once you add water to your SIP it will be quite heavy, so adding a castors is beneficial! 

• In the case of an unexpected frost, I like to move my plants into the garage. 
• Newly planted seedlings can't take direct sunlight, so I may keep them in the shaded part of my deck until they are ready for full sun. 
• To extend my gardening season I can start them early indoors (garage or sun porch), move them outdoors during the summer, then back indoors again during the winter months. 

I love the idea of placing all your small potted plants together in a garden wagon. Since I have a variety of pots too small to turn into SIP's, it is beneficial to have them all grouped together so they can be spray watered all at once. A wagon would make it easy to contain them, and to pull in and out of a garage or sun porch if needed! I'm keeping my eye open for wagon sales. 

What great tips do you have for creating the ultimate container garden? I'd love to know! Next week, I'm adding raised beds to expand my container garden into my dream deck garden!

Garden Fever Prt.1: Starting Seedlings

It is definitely spring, and I've got garden fever! Yep, it is that time of year when I have gardening dreams of grandeur. And every year my plans fail miserably as I struggle to keep my unruly garden plot. Well this year I've decided to try something a little different... a minimal work deck garden! That means building raised beds that can sit on the deck, buying and prepping pots, and starting my seedlings!
Hmm, I'm thinking it's time for another little series...how about a garden prep series! I'd love to share the process as I dream big but go practical this year. 

So it's time to get to it! How about you? Have you started your indoor seedlings yet? If not, c'mon, it's time to get a jump on it...hmm, by now you might be better served to wait a few weeks and direct sow depending on the vegetable type and your zone. 

Seedling Starters
I started the cucumbers, tomatoes, and peas two weeks ago and they are sprouting up fast! I have not yet finished building my raised beds that I'd like to their final home, so my choice for a quick seeding is to use my recycled plastics. These are old berry containers, and since they come with a cover, and a base with holes for drainage, they make for the perfect little "green house" to get my seeds started! 

Of course, there are many different seed starters I use. I tend to use whatever I have lying around, or purchasing whatever I find for a few cents at thrift stores. 
A few of my other seeding containers of choice are peat pots for seedlings that will grow larger faster, gallon orange juice or milk containers also work well for large growing plants. Cut off the top, and poke holes in the bottom. 

I also like using the Greenhouse Seed starter pellets. You hydrate the pellets, it is quick and easy, and they grow very well! Each year replace the pellets rather than buying the entire kit. 
Consider creating your own greenhouse seed starter kit for a fraction of the cost using aluminum tins with corresponding cover. 

Caring For Your Seedlings
I'm a busy mom, so I'm taking my time and staggering my seeding, and allowing the kids to have care of these fragile little plants. Of course, kids manage to make messes, even when it seems there is no possible mess to make all they need is thin air. *wry laugh*. So, I keep it simple, clean, and easy to keep my seedlings alive if possible... I allow the kids to water the newly sprouted seedlings with a small squirt bottle so as not to break the plants.

Another thing I love about using disposable aluminum tins, (besides creating a greenhouse effect for the seeds), is how simple and tidy it makes seed starting. The trays catch any water run off, makes it easy to move when it is time, and plants are clustered together to make watering as mess free as possible! I started my seeds in a sunny place in my laundry room, but will eventually moved them to a garage window where they can get the sunlight they need and begin to acclimate to the weather and more direct sun.

A little trick to aid with drainage is to place river rocks under your seedlings containers. It lifts them up a little so the water run-off doesn't pool around the base of your plants. I learned the hard way that I needed to do this for certain types of plants after my kids "drowned" a couple seedlings last year. If they were a little older and more careful with the manner they watered older seedlings, it wouldn't have been a problem. But once we graduate from the squirt bottle to a mini watering can, all bets were off so this made for a great solution!

Direct Potting
I love direct potting, there are no second or third potting necessary. Just be sure to choose the appropriate size pot for the plant. My potted plants are hanging out in my garage until the weather decides to cooperate. Keep your potted plants in a wagon and roll them out during good weather, and on days the temperature drops too low, roll them back in! This is a great minimal effort way to get an early start on your garden! 
I even gave my pots a little facelift with spray paint, but I'll tell you more about that in the next blog post. If you are planning to create a potted garden, wait to seed your larger pots until my next post. I'm giving sub-irrigated planters (SIP's) a try! I need my garden to be as self sufficient as possible, because as the years have taught me, I am just not a reliable gardener come late summer. Yes, every year I have abandoned my garden for summer vacations away... this year, I have a plan! *hopeful grin*

Happy seeding!
Read Part 2 here.