Pots and innovation

Right, so I've had a quick chat with my Dad who is my guru regarding most things of a practical nature, particularly of a gardening nature, and he thinks my plan is more than possible. He's suggesting I use decking planks, or similar, to fashion a raised bed at the house end of the yard. I suggested 100cm x 100cm but I think Dad's suggestion of 200cm x 100cm might be better.

I'm thinking that I am going to go down the reduce, reuse, recycle (reclaim?) route as to the materials for this. I'm sure there will be some things which could be used as raised beds rather than creating something (or dare I say buying something) new! Ooh, imagination running wild. I wonder how potatoes would grow in an old bath tub, or carrots in an old tea chest? Could be fun finding things. I'm thinking I need to investigate the possibilities of Freecycle in my area to see if anything is going spare. I might also visit the dump and see if anything is crying out to be planted up!

I have a feeling I may be jumping the gun a little in terms of this project, though it wouldn't hurt to have that in mind in case I see anything in the meantime.

Drawing on my limited knowledge of agriculture, if I'm planning on growing vegetables from seed I'll need some sort of propagation system. I'd then plan the more mature seedlings out. I think I know what's needed for this though the challenge would be to find it on the cheap, or put an existing item to an alternative use. Innovation.

I can imagine a basic frame with maybe 3 or 4 shelves on it, which can then be covered by clear polythene to act as a mini greenhouse. Old buggy raincover would do it. I can see the challenge may also be to make these reclaimed/reused item aesthetically pleasing too!

So that's another thing to look out for:

• greenhouse frame
• greenhouse cover (unless buggy cover is usable)
• raised beds/alternatives
• seeds (obviously)
• and POTS!! Lots of them, seedling trays initially. Might be a Pound Shop visit at some point then. :)