this post was submitted on 04 Apr 2025
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Nature and Gardening
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I think I need to split my tomatoes today.
What's growing on with you all?
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My county has(had?) some sort of rebate for both rain barrels and rain gardens, but neither has been updated in a year or so.
We went to a gardening class put on by the library and local Purdue extension office this week which was pretty fun. End of the month is one focused on fruit trees which we are looking forward to.
The beds themselves we were going to build out of some old deck boards that we still have laying around from some work a few years ago, possibly along with some old bike inner tubes to seal up gaps to keep soil from eroding out between boards. They are in decent enough shape for that. Hardest part for us is probably going to be figuring out a source for soil. We don't have a spot in our yard to dig out from.
Poking around on market place it looks like I can get some 55 gallon plastic barrels for like $10 each, then it's just some small modifications to make them rain barrels so that's easy enough. Might spend the money to put a pump on it, it might be nice to be able to run a sprinkler off it.
Out of an abundance of caution, please be sure of whether those decking boards are pressure treated. The newer formulations of copper fungicides are safer than the older methods of pressure treating but are still not exactly great for soil or human health when growing food. In that same vein, thoroughly wash the barrels before you start filling them and be sure to flush any and all plastic bits out after you're done setting up the outlets.
Your library sounds awesome! If they don't have one already, consider advocating for a seed library
As for soil/compost/growing medium - bagged stuff is not a worthwhile investment for your money from a cost-per-cubic-yard standpoint, and those products tend to have an inordinate amount of filler that won't help your plants. You're likely to spend less and have better results ordering a delivery from a landscaper supply business. They'll have you order by the cubic yard and dump it at an accessible location at your place. Spread a tarp out to give them something to aim for and to reduce what you lose during the filling of the beds.