Hello!

We just moved into a new place, just in time for spring! I'm very new to gardening and haven't had a yard of my own before, but I'm excited to get started!
The previous renters of our house were amazing at keeping a beautiful garden, plenty of space to plant, trellises, benches . One thing I'm not sure about is a the two large wooden boxes built into the middle of the yard. They have removable board covers and are full of sand.
Does anyone know what these are for? Are they for gardening?
Thanks so much!

Did the previous owners have kids? You have to keep kids' sand boxes covered when not in use or they become giant kitty litter boxes.

I have a gardening friend who uses boxes of sand to propagate woody and semi-woody cuttings. Whatever gets pruned, he propagates and sells after potting.

DaisyI said:

Did the previous owners have kids? You have to keep kids' sand boxes covered when not in use or they become giant kitty litter boxes.

No kids that I'm aware of, but it's possible they had grandchildren.

We always had outdoor cats around when I was a kid. They never used our sandbox. Not that Daisy is wrong, but it's just not always the case.

If the boxes were to be used for propagating cuttings, they would have to be in the shade.

They may have been used to store marginally winter hardy plants in for the winter, that would be replanted in spring. Sand is also a good way to store root crops (carrots, beets, horseradish, etc.) over the winter.

boxes for grandkids seems likely. Finding a buried, long lost tiny toy might confirm

I agree, but why two?

with further inspection I have found that they may have once been used for horseshoes! Thank you for all your help

Ah, yes, that makes sense!

Oh,well, I guess we should have asked for size, and how far apart...