Events / Veggies

Last weekend Dana and I spent just 45 minutes - plus gathering materials- to build this sweet little pallet garden!  We have a lot of pallets at our warehouse in Pittsfield, so, if you like this idea and want to make your own, please email me: [email protected] and we'll hook you up with as many pallets as you'd like.  Someone mentioned to me they were concerned about the pallet wood being treated with chemicals.  That is a worry for international shipping pallets, as those are treated, but the ones we get are used for shipping only in the U.S. and are made from the cheapest (it costs money to chemically treat wood!) scrap wood available.  We picked a pallet that was sturdy and unpainted, made of plain, raw wood.  I can't wait to pick lettuce in a few weeks! [caption id="attachment_664" align="aligncenter" width="538"] Dana filling the pallet garden with organic dirt, yum![/caption] First, gather your materials: one pallet weed cloth thin board to cover the back of your pallet powerful staple gun, tacker or some small nails and a hammer enough organic dirt to fill the pallet, about 5-6 bags should do seeds!  choose smaller foods with little roots like lettuce, herbs, flowers, nothing too big, like corn or too deep like root veggies. How To: Use the top of the pallet, with the most boards/small spaces for the front.  Tack weed cloth all around the back, bottom and sides, this will help keep the dirt inside the pallet. Leave the top open so you can grow taller plants/flowers in that space. [caption id="attachment_665" align="aligncenter" width="538"] Using a tacker to cover the back, bottom and sides with weed cloth.[/caption] Now tack a thin board over the back of the pallet to keep it stable so the dirt doesn't fall out. [caption id="attachment_666" align="aligncenter" width="538"] So, can you tell Dana was taking these photos?! We used a thin board leftover from packing material to cover the back of our pallet.[/caption] Lean your pallet against a fence or building at an angle and fill it with organic dirt.  Pack it in well so that it's filled up and won't wash out when it rains. [caption id="attachment_667" align="aligncenter" width="538"] About 5 bags of dirt should do.[/caption] Now plant each row, in the spaces between the front slats. [caption id="attachment_668" align="aligncenter" width="538"] Planting herbs, flowers, lettuces and more![/caption] Water regularly and enjoy your little garden!  I'll be sure to post updated photos of our pallet garden on our Facebook page once things get growing.  Here's how it looked five days after we planted the seeds: [caption id="attachment_672" align="aligncenter" width="538"] Radishes are taking off with herbs, lettuce and flowers not far behind.[/caption]