The Construction of My New Raised Garden


Designed by: Tina
Built by: JHS Handyman Services
Pictured below: James who built it for me.

The finished beds


I have always enjoyed gardening. But since I have been in a wheelchair, I
have not been able to have a garden like I have wanted. One day I had an
idea of making raised beds out of bath tubs. Most people I told this idea
to thought I was crazy. They just thought I would have a yard full of ugly
bath tubs. I had a friend suggest making raised beds out of pallets. With
that thought in mind, I combined the bath tubs and the pallet idea together
and this is what I came up with.

First the tubs were drilled full of holes and then set up on cinder blocks to allow
them to drain. Next they were filled with drain rock and crushed gravel to aid in
the drainage. We had put down landscape fabric on top of the gravel and them added
the soil. We then had to re do it because the landscape cloth would not allow the
water to drain. So the dirt was removed and the cloth cut out of the bottom and the
dirt put back in. After the tubs were filled, the walls were built to cover up the
ugly bath tubs. The walls were made out of pallets. The last 12 feet of the bed does
not have tubs in it. This bed was made for deep rooted plants.
This bed also has the gravel for drainage under the dirt.
The beds were filled with *Cedar Grove Compost/Sand mix*.
On each end of the bed I have tire planters.
I also planted some plants that will attract butterflies and bees.
beginninglooking up
The beginning of covering up the bath tubs            Looking from house to road - Close to finished


Here are a few snap shots on the construction of the 12 foot extension.
This section does not have bath-tubs in it. The pallets are set on the ground and then filled with about 8 inches of gravel for drainage.
Next the wire ties were installed. These wires hold the bin form spreading apart after filling with the soil. the extension

gravel   the soil

     The Gravel                                The Soil

rhubarb in bed
The Rhubarb was planted in this section since it is a lot deeper than the tub sections.

These are snap shots of the installation of the plastic cover. The plastic is a 4ml clear. It is held on the PVC with PVC snap on clamps. The arches are made of 10 ft - 1/2 inch PVC pipe. It is attached to the bed by straps in the front and zip tied onto the fence in the back. The front is able to be lifted up to allow air flow and to let the heat out. There is a loop and hook to hold the front open when raised up.
plastic cover


  tire planters filledTire planters.

            Tire planters
    lettuce and spinach
I first started with plants, and then 2 weeks later I replanted
with seeds. The lettuce and spinace are doing great, I am able to pick
at least once a week.
   radish and onions
The rasishes are not doing as well as I had hoped. The onions,
I started with Walla Walla starts and a variety of onion sets.
The onions are doing well.
   swiss chard and peas
The rhubarb was dug up from the back yard and made into 3 seperate
plants when put in garden. It took off quite well. I have already been able to pick some.
As of May 15th, the peas are about 4 inches tall and already getting climbers.
The kahlrabi and swiss chard will have to be thinned out, as they were planted way to thick.
The bib lettuce is coming along great. Might have to thin this out also.


This has been a fun learning experience. And also a healthy one as it is fun to go out
and pick snacks to eat.