Mini raised beds !!

[veggiechicken]

I've been dreaming about carrots, big long straight carrots I really want to grow some but my soil is stony and pots need too much attention.............
This morning I woke with a possible solution but I'm going to run it past you first, in case, like most of my dreams, they're entertaining but utter rubbish
Take 2 equal length planks of wood (like scaffolding boards) and fix them together, on end, about 9-12" apart, to make one long narrow raised bed. Fill this with compost/sand and sow carrots. Job done!!
This way, I'd be raising and improving the soil just in the area where it was needed. The roots could still go down into the soil and take up moisture therefrom.
You could grow more carrots in a long thin row, than you could in a square bed containing the same amount of compost, because of the need to space the seeds out.
Next year, I could move the "bed" over a strip and do the same thing.

Waddya reckon, Grapes?

[Stan79]

I've done the same with some pallet boards and made a mini raised bed and am growing some lettuce in it on the patio out the back door. I've effectively made a trough though as i stuck a base on it but what you're suggesting should work from a practical point of view. Was thinking about carrots making one for carrots too but need another pallet to make it a bit deeper.

[bario1]

Hi V.C.,

Sounds good, although i planted purple carrots in a similar bed (not narrow, but raised, with good soil) and they still came out like witches' noses, about 2" long and covered in warts. :-(

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Stan and Bario
I found the end of a dismantled pallet in the wood store which might do the trick

Then looked for a double sided pallet where the slats were opposite each other (some are offset)

So, if I can cut this into 6 sections I will have 6 mini raised beds. Will probably need to attach an extra little plank on each one to make it deeper, but its a starting point - at no cost

[Bigmallly]

Cut the pallet into 3 sections & block the gaps.............

[veggiechicken]

That would be a lot less tiring on my sawing arm
Trying to work out whether the portable circular saw that I found in the shed would do the job - and if so, how to use it

[Bren In Pots]

VC would it be easier to get hold of some tall buckets and grow your carrots in those.

[veggiechicken]

Pallet No 2

Found another pallet with wider planks but not double sided

6 saw cuts and an aching arm later (decided circular saw was much too risky for me), I have 3 sections

2 of which could be joined together to make a wider bed

I'm getting there.........slowly

[veggiechicken]

VC would it be easier to get hold of some tall buckets and grow your carrots in those.

I've tried them in MFBs but they still came out deformed, and, unless you cut the bottoms off, they need watering
These were grown in a bucket

[Bren In Pots]

Not a pretty sight are they VC so no wonder you're looking at other options.

[mothhawk]

vegmandan shows how to grow beautiful straight carrots on youtube here

I think you need to use the whole pallet on edge VC

[veggiechicken]

It would be difficult to fit those carrots in the saucepan - I'd need a fish kettle

[Kirk]

Use plastic pipe, say 12"-15" lengths, fill each with compost, fertiliser, manure whatever and a seed or two in each. Can stick them between 2 planks to form a row or stand in a square/rectangular frame/bed.

Often used to grow the show ones like Sweet Candle but a shorter variety should work fine. Not sure the cost of say 3 1/2" or 4" plastic pipe.

[Bigmallly]

Wouldn't worry about cost Kirk, VC's shed is an Aladins Cave.................

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Kirk. I have an image of a row of white pipes, each with a feathery tuft of carrot fronds on the top, that would look like the Candles you refer to I'm sure I've seen some plastic pipe in the roof of the garage but its too high up for me to reach - and I don't do ladders On the other hand, I'm reluctant to cut up something that might have a better use if left intact. Maybe some skip rummaging for offcuts is required