PALLET RECYCLING

There are so many DIY projects possible using pallets, and the Community Garden makes good use of them throughout the garden.  The pallets are from deliveries of bags of compost and top soil used in the raised beds, and from donations by folks and/or companies that have no use for them.  Instead of putting them in the landfill, we've found several uses for them, from building the tool shed and compost bins, using them as platforms for water collection containers and building gates.

And now we've undertaken a new project using pallets.  By simply turning them upside down, cutting out all but the end deck boards, setting them on cardboard and filling them with compost and soil, a row of shallow beds has been created.  The beds are yet to framed in as we haven't finished placing them all.  The beds will be used to grow experimental crops.  

These are being placed outside the garden fence in the orchard area, so will be exposed to critters, but as these crops are being tested for future planting in the enclosed garden, let 'em eat!  As a side benefit, these beds will also help keep the grass and weeds from growing along the fence line where they tend to invade the garden.

Among the first experimental crops will be bok choy, mini seedless watermelon and some edamame.  If these grow and survive the critters, they'll be added to the harvests donated to food pantries in the area.

We'll keep you posted on progress!