Spring Blooms Spotlight: Rhubarb, a Neglected Garden Treasure
Article Title: DIY Gardening in 2017: Popular Products for Raised Beds and Composting
Published on April 22, 2017, by Susannah Shmurak
In 2017, DIY gardening enthusiasts were drawn to practical, easy-to-build options for raised garden beds and composting, focusing on durable, natural materials and sustainable practices.
For raised beds, popular DIY choices included untreated cedar wood beds, favored for their rot- and insect-resistant properties, making them safe for growing vegetables without chemical contamination. These beds typically measured around 4 feet by 8 feet with a depth of 11 inches for easy access and good soil volume, assembled with simple screws and wood posts.
Another appealing option was the Eden Pyramid Raised Garden Bed Kit, which offered a customizable design that could be assembled without many tools, requiring only a hammer. Made of solid rot-resistant fir wood, it could be stacked to create a tiered garden and painted or stained to suit the landscape.
In terms of soil and composting within raised beds, a popular soil mix included organic compost, coconut coir (for moisture retention), perlite (for drainage), basalt rock dust, and worm castings to enrich the soil biologically. Gardeners often layered branches, leaves, old vegetables, straw, and mulch combined with earthworms to help the soil “cook” and compost naturally within the bed over time.
Popular products for composting included the Jora JK270 Composter, boasting a capacity of 9.5 cubic feet, and the Worm Factory 360 Composter. The Stainless Steel Compost Keeper was another composting product mentioned, although the article does not provide information on its capacity.
For those looking to create a lush, eco-friendly lawn, the Wildflower Farms Eco-Lawn Grass Seed was a popular choice. While not organic, it was available in multiple sizes, not just a 5 lb pack.
Additionally, the VegTrug Raised Garden Planter, made of natural wood, and the Farmstead Raised Garden Bed were also discussed. The VegTrug Raised Garden Planter had a specific size or dimensions that were not mentioned in the article, while the material of the Farmstead Raised Garden Bed was not specified.
Lastly, the article also highlighted the Natural Cedar L-Shaped Raised Garden Beds, another practical and attractive DIY option for gardening enthusiasts. The size or dimensions of these beds were not provided in the article.
These products and approaches reflected the DIY gardening trends in 2017, prioritizing sustainability, soil health, and ease of assembly without complex tools or chemicals. Raised beds made from natural wood combined with rich, compost-based soil mixes were the hallmark of popular raised garden beds and composting setups of that time.
[1] Assembly instructions for untreated cedar wood raised beds. [2] Details about the Eden Pyramid Raised Garden Bed Kit. [3] Recipe for a custom raised bed mix. [4] Tips for layering branches, leaves, old vegetables, straw, and mulch in raised beds. [5] Product specifications for the Premium Drinking Water Safe Garden Hose.
