Building Raised Beds (part I)

After many years of growing my vegetables in the ground with mixed results I am finally building raised beds in my backyard for my vegetables. The design I came up with is a U shaped 2-foot high bed which can be divided into four equally spaced sections for crop rotation. In the center of the U-shape will be a chicken coop with a greenroof for growing my shallow root crops such as lettuce. 

sketch of my raised beds and chicken coop plan.

To increase my crop yield by reducing pests and diseases, I integrated crop rotation and companion planting into my design layout. I divided my beds into 4 zones. Each zone is planted with plants that grow well together and have beneficial qualities, such as attracting pollinators, and other beneficial insects. Every year the zones will rotate clockwise, meaning the same plants will not live in the same soil for another 3 years. I divided my zones this way:

Zone 1: Tomatoes, Basil, Parsley, Rapini, with Alyssum and Nasturtiums as beneficials.
Zone 2: Squash, Cucumbers, Melons with Calendula and Borage as beneficials (both edible flowers).
Zone 3: Beets, Chard, Garlic, Brussel Sprouts, Anise, Bush Beans, Cabbage eith Chamomile as a beneficial.
Zone 4: Parsnips, Radish, Carrots, Pole Beans, Peas, Mustard with Nasturtiums as beneficials.

Planting plan for Vegetable beds.

To build the beds I decided to use juniper as it is the most resistant to water and dirt that I know. I have heard figures that seem hard to believe- like 50 years without being treated with anything. I got 2x6 inch boards at Sustainable Northwest Wood by OMSI. It was slow going building it by myself as each board is pretty heavy and had to go section by section from the ground up. Each 4x4 I buried 6" into the ground and worked constantly at keeping the sections level.

First section.

Half of the base complete.

All of the base finally complete.

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Trellises added to the beds.

The beds are mostly full of dirt and compost now and ready to plant with my early spring crops like carrots, lettuce and radish. Next project will be the chicken coop with greenroof.