Comments on: 5 Raised Bed Garden Mistakes To Avoid

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:06:24 +0000

In reply to Pam M. Hi Pam. It could be birds as well, that's what's been digging all the holes in my garden right now.

By: Pam M

Pam M — Sun, 06 Apr 2025 14:58:28 +0000

Hi Angela,
I finally have my raised bed growing after last years flop but this morning I woke up to deep holes around the base of my tomato plants? I have never seen a squirrel, rat or gophers in my yard, the holes are about 6 to 8 inches deep and only by the tomato plants. I was wondering if you have seen this before.
Thank you for all your help.

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 04:55:17 +0000

In reply to Pam. Best of luck to you! I hope things go better for you this year.

By: Pam

Pam — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 18:56:40 +0000

Thank you for your help, it is informative and necessary to create a garden in Arizona. Last year nothing I planted produced at all; hope I have better luck this year. I have your flower calendar and plan to get the vegetable calendar next.

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 18:57:28 +0000

In reply to Pam M. Make it as large as you can (deep and wide) they do heat up more, but you should be able to use them. Scrub them clean of old paint that might contain harmful chemicals. If they are excessively crumbly you may not want to use them. If you have native soil, put that at the bottom - the top 12-18 inches should be a good raised bed mix like the kind from Arizona Worm Farm if possible.

By: Pam M

Pam M — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 21:38:52 +0000

Hi Angela,
I have 16 in. x 8 in. x 4 in. concrete/cinder blocks that I want to use for my garden bed, do you think it will be too hot to grow tomatoes? They are part of the top of a fence we removed, probably 30 years old. Also, can I mix a little of my native soil in with garden soil mix?

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 03:49:59 +0000

In reply to Stacy. Use new cinder blocks if possible to avoid past chemical exposure. They have a slight possibility of raising pH levels, so test the soil occasionally. Cinder blocks can absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night. This thermal mass can be beneficial in cooler climates by extending the growing season, but in very hot climates, it can heat the soil more than other types of beds.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 14:36:28 +0000

What about using cinder blocks for my garden bed? are there going to be any issues?

thanks.

By: Angela Judd

Angela Judd — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 16:34:06 +0000

In reply to Anthony. I haven't noticed that being a problem with my other metal beds. I do plan on taking temp readings throughout the summer in the different types of beds to see if it's an issue.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 02:22:19 +0000

Hi Angela – I’ve started gardening in my backyard in Mesa and your blog has so far been indispensable. So far, I’ve only bought cedar raised beds, but I want to add some 2×8 beds and am considering the metal beds you’ve recommended from Garden in Minutes. The only thing giving me pause is that I want to use them to grow summer crops, and I’m worried the metal (and subsequently the soil) will get too hot (the area I’d put them in would get unobstructed sun basically all day). Have you had a problem with this? What do you recommend?