Hey everyone! I'm super excited (and a bit nervous) to finally start my own garden! I'm in zone 8a, but honestly, I'm clueless about everything gardening-related. I apologize in advance if I get any terms wrong.
I have two 16in x 16in square box planters that are elevated on legs. I've planted 4 Better Boy tomato plants, but I read they need a good amount of space. I'm considering building a raised bed that's 6 x 4 for the tomatoes, marigolds, basil, and maybe some smaller plants, but I'm struggling to find untreated cedar planks, which I've learned is best for keeping things natural.
I also want to use one of the planters for herbs, but I'm unsure what to put in the other one. Maybe a pepper plant? I'm really confused about how to layer the soil and what materials I need—do I need a liner? I've seen conflicting advice about using sticks, compost, and dirt layers, and it's making me second-guess my decision to start gardening.
My grandfather is an amazing farmer with a stunning garden, but he doesn't have experience with raised beds. Any guidance on how to set up my beds and get started would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!
1 Answer
Gardening can definitely be a learning curve, but don't stress! It's all about trial and error. You can grow your tomatoes, marigolds, and herbs together in both beds. Since your planters have legs, I wouldn't worry too much about a liner, but you could throw in some cardboard at the bottom if you want. Using a good potting mix from a local nursery and adding some worm castings on top can really do wonders! Remember that Better Boy tomatoes will vine, so get a good tomato cage to support them. Plant some basil and maybe chives alongside, and peppers would fit nice in the other planter too! This combo works great for me!
Thank you so much!