Hello, I have just joined this group and I am desperate for some advice on my garden. Every time it rains my garden looks like this [see photo]

[Deblee]

 

[smitty55]

If you buy containers from a reputable garden supply house, they will have built in drainage. I just thought they would be better off not having the roots grow into that crummy soil, lol! Just cover it over and be done with it!

The biggest issue with clay is lack of drainage as it's so compacted. That's where gypsum comes in to help with that. Apart from that clay actually holds a lot of nutrients. If you were to put raised beds in like I did you could always remove a foot of that clay soil and when back filled end up with a good deep planting bed. That's what I would do. The last thing I would do is buy premade garden boxes. Those 5 4x8 x16" boxes I made cost me around $350 all in. Made with rough cut #2 grade Eastern Cedar I hope to get 15 years out of them.

 

[Deblee]

This is a company I have dealt with. They are a bit pricey, but have quality stuff.

The biggest issue with clay is lack of drainage as it's so compacted. That's where gypsum comes in to help with that. Apart from that clay actually holds a lot of nutrients. If you were to put raised beds in like I did you could always remove a foot of that clay soil and when back filled end up with a good deep planting bed. That's what I would do. The last thing I would do is buy premade garden boxes. Those 5 4x8 x16" boxes I made cost me around $350 all in. Made with rough cut #2 grade Eastern Cedar I hope to get 15 years out of them.

I don't know how old you are, but in 15 years, you might wish you didn't have to bend over anymore, lol! I'm already there, and willing to part with the extra cash to be able to garden.

 

[smitty55]

This is a company I have dealt with. They are a bit pricey, but have quality stuff.

I don't know how old you are, but in 15 years, you might wish you didn't have to bend over anymore, lol! I'm already there, and willing to part with the extra cash to be able to garden.

I'm 69 and I do have back issues at time but there's no chance I would ever consider those premade boxes, specially the ones with legs that are sure to collapse after time trying to support the weight of all that soil after heavy rains. Plus they're all too small to even try and replace the area of 5 4x8 boxes. As I mentioned it's very important for the soil food web that all those soil micro-organisms have access to the bed from the ground which can't happen on a raised bed on legs. Now after looking at the prices it's even worse lol. A 2x4 bed on legs costs $240 before tax, that's a total joke lol. I would need 20 of them to equal the area of my boxes, That's $4800 before tax not including soil for what cost me $350. You may as well bring in a backhoe and dig up your lawn and back fill it with quality soil for far less money. Even for those 4x8 cedar beds they want $600 and they're only 10" deep, that's not even deep enough to plant my tomatoes lol let alone save my back. They make them look real tall in the pics though and then they even caution against using garden soil due to the weight. No thanks.
Actually it sounds like you've already made up your mind so I don't know why you even bothered asking here in the first place but whatever, suit yourself.

 

[Deblee]

I'm 69 and I do have back issues at time but there's no chance I would ever consider those premade boxes, specially the ones with legs that are sure to collapse after time trying to support the weight of all that soil after heavy rains. Plus they're all too small to even try and replace the area of 5 4x8 boxes. As I mentioned it's very important for the soil food web that all those soil micro-organisms have access to the bed from the ground which can't happen on a raised bed on legs. Now after looking at the prices it's even worse lol. A 2x4 bed on legs costs $240 before tax, that's a total joke lol. I would need 20 of them to equal the area of my boxes, That's $4800 before tax not including soil for what cost me $350. You may as well bring in a backhoe and dig up your lawn and back fill it with quality soil for far less money. Even for those 4x8 cedar beds they want $600 and they're only 10" deep, that's not even deep enough to plant my tomatoes lol let alone save my back. They make them look real tall in the pics though and then they even caution against using garden soil due to the weight. No thanks.
Actually it sounds like you've already made up your mind so I don't know why you even bothered asking here in the first place but whatever, suit yourself.

Thanks for being so nice, lol! Btw, I didn't ask, I was answering someone else, but please don't go jump on them for asking.

Why does everybody have to sound like the jerk I'm in love with? I'm beginning to think I'm hallucinating.

 

[Deblee]

View attachment 106773

Tango -
You are the only one who can decide what is worth the effort and expense. I lived in Illinois many years ago and had to contend with clay soil. It takes a lot of time and work to change that soil and achieve decent drainage. However, you could have the best of both worlds by digging one or two deep trenches and replacing all or most of the soil for plants that need it, like asparagus, and do square foot gardening in raised beds (off the ground) for annuals like greens, herbs and flowers. Large pots for individual tomatoes and peppers can be very attractive. Depends what you want, salads for the summer, a pretty place to sit, or food to store for SHTF.

 

[Meadowlark]

This thread has run its course. Time to move on.