I make my backyard raised gardens with wood. This bed is 4 x 8. I can go to a lumber store, pick up 4 8 foot long pieces, and then have them cut 2 more to make the sides. I also buy 4 1x1's perhaps 3 feet tall?(I think that's the size) to help me form the corners. I originally planned to cut them off level, but have discovered that by leaving them on, that I could attach fencing to them.
Also, using them to form the corners helped me to make my bed level.One corner has more of the 1x1 on the bottom whereas the other 3 are flush to the bottom of the sides and the ground. I actually used some scrap plywood on the inside on my sloping corner. It's not visible, but it keeps the dirt from falling out.
I can build one of these by myself in an evening. Also, the size fits well in my little jetta car without any problems.
I now have 2 beds, and when building gardens & raised beds, I discovered that you need to leave enough room between them so it is easy to mow.
This original one is supposed to be my vegetable garden. I built it for a blueberry a friend gave me as a gift and because I wanted some asparagus. Currently I have 2 rows of young asparagus, and 3 blueberry plants - along with a dozen daylilies and some bee balm.....
This summer I should be able to move most of the flowers, and actually plant a few more veggies.
I too love Basil - but planted basil, parsley and cilantro in a plastic kitty litter bucket. I drilled a couple of holes on the bottom, and put some gravel in, then filled with soil. The basil and parsley did GREAT. Haven't a clue what happened with the cilantro. When fall came, I pulled the bucket into the garage. The Basil died off about Christmastime, the parsley is still growing and doing well. I water it a bit once a month or so, and it is growing a bit "leggy" but still tastes great in my dishes.~Jan
