Yeah I thought I'd try something different and do 2 4'x4' raised beds this year since I never did any before. Things grow freaking nuts there and at least I bought my cedar boards before lumber went through the roof. Real nice not having to worry about many weeds at all in those, and a lot less bending. Expensive initial investment, but will be a good 10+ years before I need to replace the boards. Plus my carpenter bees can make a nest in the cedar beds rather than keep destroying my shed, which would be a win win.
That's an awesome way to use the raised beds for more than one purpose. Way to go!
I do love my carpenter bees. The males are super aggressive, but can't hurt you and never actually get within 6 inches of you. They just hover around then eventually get bored and go back into their wood holes or go pollinate a flower. Just never fuck with a female, which I still have never seen. They are super docile, but if you piss them off it's game over.
If I get the motivation I'll stain the shed this autumn to make them uninterested for next year so they hopefully go for the garden beds. I might get a bee hotel too just in case some stick around and don't leave for the winter.
That's crazy! I just grow things like a monkey.
Put seed in dirt. Water. Hope it grows.
My method has been quite successful.