Victory Gardens, also known as “War Gardens” or “Food Gardens for Defense,” were encouraged by the U.S. government during the first World War. By building your very first vegetable garden now, during a most unprecedented war against COVID-19, we can not only reduce our need to go out to grocery stores, but also boost morale, with a sense of accomplishment and pride. Plus, you get to spend some time outdoors doing physical labor, which keep your body healthy too!
As an avid gardener for the past 17 years, I was tasked this spring with rebuilding my garden beds for the 5th time, after recently moving once again. I have to say, I have perfected the art of building raised beds that are durable, ergonomic, and multi-functional, although quite a chore to set up initially.
It warms my heart to see so many newbie gardeners attempting their first gardens, and several have asked for my advice on building beds like our own. So, without further adieu, I give you the “Schweger Victory Garden Recipe.”
INGREDIENTS:
~ 100 concrete blocks (CMU) for a 5×16 or 6×16 bed. This is the ideal size so you can lean in and reach the center for planting, weeding and harvesting. Length can vary. Height is 3 courses tall, so you can sit on the capped top and use it as a built-in bench.
~ 35 concrete caps. These sit on top to make your garden wall function as a comfortable bench for weeding, and also social gatherings (whenever that may happen again)
~ 3’x44′ of black plastic weed barrier. Line the walls of the bed to prevent water from leaching out into the concrete. (This is also why you should NOT attempt to plant inside the hollow cores of the CMU- it gets too hot and dry)
~ 2 bags of pea gravel for leveling base course. DO NOT USE PEAS. They are delicious to eat, but make a terrible foundation for concrete. Save your peas for planting.
~ 5 bales of straw. These take up space in the bed to save you money (good dirt costs a lot).
~ 3-4 cubic yards of compost. Fill to the concrete caps. Expect to add more dirt in future, once it settles.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Order materials. Then wait to have delivery rescheduled 12 times. And then dropped in the most inconvenient spot on your property (note: give EXPLICIT delivery instructions with online ordering).
2. Dig a shallow trench for base blocks. Imagine you’re digging mass graves for abandoned guinea pigs that were “sent to live on a farm.”
3. Gets 2-4 bags of pea gravel. Place first course of blocks, measure level both directions. Use pea gravel to fine tune levelness. Repeat 20,000 times. Expect 4-6 hours per bed. Unless dog helps. Then double the amount of time.
4. Bribe friends to help you stack remaining 2 course of blocks. Beer, bourbon, baselining- WHATEVER IT TAKES. (You’ll thank me later). This is also a good time to realize it’s not the “weekend project” you thought it would be. Go ahead and plant some seeds indoors now.
NOTE: Even during COVID-19, with masks and gloves, it IS possible to have friends help you move blocks! Nobody is too young to help. We even put an 18-month-old child to work. His productivity was terrible, however, every little bit helps. You get what you pay for with free child labor.
5. BEFORE THE FINAL BLOCKS ARE PLACED- throw straw bales inside to take up volume. (Good dirt is EXPENSIVE!) Order compost from Greencycle.
6. Buy black plastic (a 10’x100’ roll is more than enough, and you can use leftover in future as weed barrier). Cut to line walls vertically to prevent water from leaching out into concrete.
7. Install plastic sheets and place concrete caps on 3 sides (leave one long side uncapped.) Unless you are skilled at the art of levitation, in which case it’ll be a breeze to lift a fully loaded wheelbarrow over the top to dump dirt inside.
8. Dump load after load after load of compost/dirt. Relish in the fact that your back isn’t aching because you had friends help with some of the heavy blocks.
9. Finish last concrete caps. Mulch. Plant.
10. Decide that, while this is a ducking amazing and multi-functional garden design, you will NEVER, EVER, EVER do this again. (Please don’t be like me and repeat this process after 3 years). ENJOY!!!
Travel Grrrls 