Last week I showed you my stock tank raised beds. This is my newest one. This one was “free.” A friend offered it to me sight-unseen. I agreed to pick it up across town. I rounded up my sons to help me load it. 

When we got it home, the 10 foot by 2 foot bed fell apart. The wood was rotten. All that was useable was the metal legs and frame. My eldest son took measurements the next week and came home with the needed lumber–$127.00 worth! He graciously sawed the lumber, put it together, and drilled holes in the bottom. I got busy and painted a first coat with Kilz and then three cans of Rust oleum which was another $21.00. 

I put forsythia branches in the bottom. Next I put a layer of mulched leaves from last fall. The last layer was several bags of dirt. At that point I quit counting the cost.

This year I’ve planted beets, green beans and zucchini in this bed. Hopefully, I’ll recoup part of the cost. At least the bed won’t melt in the summer heat. Next year I’ll be ready for planting at $00.00 expense with seeds I’ll harvest from my heirloom plantings this year!