The frame used to raise garden beds.

Photo: Fritz Lenneman

Here are some photos from my most recent weekend project. The weather was nice in Chicago, getting all the way up to the 60s with warm sun, so we decided it was time to raise our garden beds.

The day started in our hardware store's lumber department. We purchased enough 1"x6" pieces of cedar—not pressure treated; a chemical in that process is harmful to plants—to make three 50-inch by 50-inch boxes.
The completed beds.

Photo: Fritz Lenneman

After my wife cleared out some of the waste, I dug a few inches into the ground to give the wood frames a subterranean foundation. We placed the frames down and spread the soil evenly inside each box.
Another view of the beds, facing south

Photo: Fritz Lenneman

Here is another view of the beds, facing south. The boxes are still relatively unfilled, because we haven't added any new soil yet.
Bricks wedged between each of the raised bed frames.

Photo: Fritz Lenneman

We placed bricks between each of the raised beds for easier access—without having to step all over the soil—to the deepest reaches of each beds.

Plus, I just like the way it looks.
Baskets containing arugula seeds in March.

Photo: Fritz Lenneman

Though it's still weeks until the date of last frost in Chicago, we've got our first seeds in the ground! Arugula supposedly thrives in the cool temperatures.

Is this ridiculously early and hopeful? I guess we'll find out.
Spring garbage leftovers.

Photo: Fritz Lenneman

The tangle of weeds, organic matter and drifted garbage left after our first day back in the garden. So satifsying to get it out of there.

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