My house has always had a raised garden plot but this being my first spring in the house I wanted to make some changes for a number of reasons.
- So I could get my jeep between the house and the shop to the other part of the backyard. It’s a big lot.
- And to create a space that is sheltered from the wind and any animals. I don’t actually know of any animals that would come around but I imagine something would.
A couple of weeks ago I moved the plot forward along my house about 4 ft. Just enough to get the jeep by.
Last weekend I filled the box up with soil again, because I emptied it to move and I wanted to start fresh.
Today I started and mostly finished the construction of a enclosed garden space. Essentially I built a roof for the garden box.
The first thing I did was build the frame out of some 2×4’s and 1/4’s I had around the yard. I don’t like angles, I don’t work with them enough, but I managed.
A lot of the project was scraps from the Yellowknife Dump and my plan was to use these screen door windows as part of the hatch system.
At the dump the prior weekend I was also able to collect a couple rolls of clear plastic tarp. Oddly it was the exact width I needed. I stretch and stapled it all along the rear of the garden – closest to the house – and the ends. I also found two framed plastic window coverings that would be used as hatches as well.
With the use of some simple hinges I was able to create four hatches that open and close with ease allowing me to work and water without to much hassle.
As the weather is really improving now I went ahead and planted a variety of plants to grow. Keeping in mind I’ve never maintained a garden myself before.
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Peppers
- Onions
- Green Onions
- Spinach
- Romane Lettuce
- Swiss Chard
- Carrots
I’ll be checking on this everyday and enough things are not getting too hot or too much water.