Blogger Lowell, MI on Jul 08, 2012

What do you think I should do about this?

I wanted to do with the wood project I made, it was suppose to be a vegetable garden, but we couldn't afford this much of dirt. So, I was thinking, since we are poor and happier. I wanted to make this into a water fountain/pond sort of. Like, I am going to paint this project, (not sure what color, any suggestions?) and then, add some plastic, (I need more information on how to add the plastic and make it hold tight and stays up.) then, add rocks, water plants, little fountains, and lily. I wanted to make this project as in an affordable way! :D Any suggestions?

I would love love love love love love to hear from any of you!! :)

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My wood project! :D

18 Comments

Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Tyler, I think that would make a great raised vegetable bed, and I suspect dirt and a few packets of seed will cost much less than turning it into a water garden, for which you would have buy a liner, a pump and plants.

on Jul 09, 2012 · Like 2
Sherrie S Debary, FL

Tyler S, I must agree with Douglas for the reasons he mentioned and since money is a little problem I think the vegetable garden is a better choice.
You can take some of the dirt from your yard then add a bag or two of better quality dirt on top If vegetable plants are too expensive find out what can be planted at this time of year and buy the seeds. You should also consider composting as compost is free and will improve the plantings. ...»

Later when money is not so tight I suggest going to Lowes or HD and look at preformed ponds. I would keep the wood project for the vegetables.

on Jul 09, 2012 · Like 0
Liz C Garnerville, NY

I agree, building a water garden would be far more expensive!!! As for money being tight, in this economy, I'm sure many of us can relate, I know I can. However, you can learn a lot of ways doing things for far less than you think, by learning tips like I've been from this site and especially the people. As for the dirt....Look into your town, as well as neighboring town, ask neighbors.......a lot of people are unaware of this, but 8o% of local towns, have a spot where they dump their ...»
spare dirt and mulch and if your a resident, you can take as much as you want. (FYI.....Don't ever take the mulch...you never know if it's treated and there's a great chance you can get termites from it). Ask around.....You'll be surprised.... I've lived here for almost 15 years, in my new home for 3 and i just recently found out about it and was able to fill both my front & back yard with fresh dirt, not once but twice and still have enough for my potters. Another thing you can try is post a WANTED ad, in the "ITEMS WANTED" category, on Craigs list in your local area asking or telling others that your in need of dirt. Again, you'll be surprised in the generosity of others! Good luck! Post a pic so we can all see what you ended up deciding to do with it!

on Jul 09, 2012 · Like 0
FunkyJunk Interiors - Don... Canada

I love the idea of a water feature, however the pump alone would cost more than the soil for your garden I'd think! If this were me, I'd flip that beautiful box against a wall, screw it in and you have one very cool shelf... for free. :D
Donna

on Jul 09, 2012 · Like 1
Karleen A Crossett, AR

do the vegetable garden..the return on it will be worth it...plants, liner, pump, rocks will cost you!!!

on Jul 10, 2012 · Like 0
Maria D. M Donna, TX

ooo... I would still use it for an herb garden, looks like it would take at least 3 bags of good soil. down here there no more than 3 1/2 bucks each. I think u still need to put some kinds of pond plastic to protect it not much. I would not paint it. but, that's just my idea.

on Jul 10, 2012 · Like 0
Tyler S Lowell, MI

Thank you for all of your advice. Well, I am not sure if it is too late to plant them? Is it? Well, I went shopping for fountain stuff, I went to Tractor Supply, and I asked a worker there, and said do you have any like little water fountain and stuff? He said, yes we do! He showed it to me. Then a lady came, and said oh my gosh, are you making a pond? I said, kind of so I showed her a picture. She said that would look so gorgeous and she also told me to go to home depot, they have ...»
fountain for like 10 dollars and pump for 20 dollars, I am like really? Thank you for those advice! She said, also if you go to Lowes, they have this little water fountain for 5 dollars as clearance, every time I went there, they have it for 5 bucks. I am like, really?! She said, yeah, thats how we replaced ours. So, I am totally going over there, but hey!
If it is not too late to plant vegetable garden, my mom's friend has more wood for me, so I'd totally going to make more and use it vegetable garden. I am excited! :D

on Jul 10, 2012 · Like 0
Karleen A Crossett, AR

it might be to late to plant a garden now...wondering if you could do it inside..

on Jul 10, 2012 · Like 0
Tyler S Lowell, MI

I wonder about that too.. hmmm... I have a lot of space inside.

on Jul 10, 2012 · Like 0
Sherrie S Debary, FL

Ain't it amazing when you get help at Hometalk? I know it is. Now you can have a pond and veggies, too (with very little cost).

on Jul 10, 2012 · Like 1
Tyler S Lowell, MI

Yes! It is so amazing because we all don't need a FANCY and EXPENSIVE pond or veggies garden, we just need a simply cheap pond and garden where we can keep it last longer and a good care of it! :D

on Jul 10, 2012 · Like 0
Cathy S Ocala, FL

can always ask on freecycle, craig's list or on Facebook for dirt, plants, pump, etc. you'd be surprised once you ask for something! Good luck! How deep is it?

on Jul 10, 2012 · Like 1
Lori J Broken Bow, NE

Depending on how you plant (need for root depth), you can crush milk cartons or soda bottles and place inside the planting box before adding soil. I think this is a much better option if you are planting annuals, but it reduces need for soil, helps out with drainage and makes big, big pots easier to move around.

on Jul 10, 2012 · Like 0
Bar K Houston, TX

Dirt poor, eh?

on Jul 10, 2012 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

It's definitely not too late to plant some fall vegetable crops. In fact, you are probably coming on prime time for doing so.

on Jul 11, 2012 · Like 0
Tyler S Lowell, MI

Cathy -- I will look it up soon as possible! Thank you for the advice. Well, I just pored the water into it, and see how it goes for couple of days. I think it is about between 10 - 20 gallon of dirt or water. I uses water. It is about 18 inches deep.
Lori -- Really? I will totally do that, that is an wonder advice. I never knew or thought of that! WOW! I am impressed. ...»

Bar-- yeah! hahah!
Douglas -- Really? What if it not ready yet? Think I can bring it inside?

on Jul 11, 2012 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Tyler, yes. Some crops-broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprout, carrots, parsnips and spinach-not only tolerate, but taste better, with a frost. You could easily cover a small box like that to provide protection from a light frost. That would be a lot easier than trying to bring it inside laden down with your fall harvest.

on Jul 12, 2012 · Like 0
Sherrie S Debary, FL

Tyler, another thing you might use in your planter are the packing peanuts that protect packages. Most of them are biodegradable - good for the environment.

on Jul 12, 2012 · Like 0