Vegetables Gardening - Growing Organic Vegetables

 

I am new to the mittleider gardening system and am trying to prepare for spring.  Is there an advantage or disadvantage to cementing the T-frames into the ground?  Would cementing the frames help them last longer in the ground, or would the cement disrupt the soil chemistry?

Thanks

Dayna

Dayna Group:

The treated 2" X 8" frames are supposed to sit on the surface of a leveled area.  Watering is done by applying water until it begins to seep out from beneath the frames.  Cementing the frames serves no worthwhile practical purpose that I can think of, and would disrupt the watering regimen while also getting in the way of planting near the edge of the wooden box.  The expense is also a consideration.  Concrete would not affect the soil chemistry.  

If there is concern about wooden stakes being strong enough, or lasting long enough, I recommend using 18' rebar for stakes.

Jim Kennard

Well DUH!   T-Frames ARE different than the sides of the box aren't they!  So sorry.

OK - whether to cement in the T-Frames or not:  I do not do it in most cases, but you certainly can if you prefer.  Sometimes things get moved around for one reason or another and it's MUCH easier to do if they are not cemented in.  A reason for cementing them in would be strength, but we always tie the T-Frame to the box, and we almost always also tie the T's together to make an in-the-garden greenhouse, so the strength is shared and reinforced throughout the entire structure.  Also, the cement gets in the way of one or two plants at each spot.  For long-term use I like to apply roofing tar to the below-the-soil portion of the posts.

Jim Kennard