Can someone tell me how to make this?

[AMKuska]

I want to install these over the top of my raised beds, but Devin doesn't think the bed itself will be able to support the weight of the gutters with dirt in them. Any thoughts on how to make a frame so I can grow stuff over my gardens and double my space?

 

[baymule]

Those gutters are held up by rebar supports. Got a welding machine? No? OK, plan B.

There are pictures of A frame trellises for peas and beans on here, why wouldn't something like that work? Build an A frame, properly support the gutters and go for it. Or, do metal pole supports, straight up like pictured, and use short pieces of angle iron for supports. You can drill and bolt them together in a T shape to support the gutters.

 

[ninnymary]

My husband usually always uses pipe to make frames for the garden. He says it's stronger that way. Maybe you could put 4 pieces in a square over your beds and add pieces of pipe across it to make like a trellis on which to put your gutters on. Just an idea.

Mary

 

[NwMtGardener]

That's really cool looking! Just a thought though - one lady who did a gutter garden on the front of her house found it hard to keep them watered enough, since there is so little dirt to hold the moisture. Would you run soaker hoses down every gutter, or dripper lines on an automatic system? If not you might have difficulty watering often enough. Cant remember where she was located, that might make a difference - if you get more rainfall maybe it would be fine.

 

[canesisters]

I can't see the picture. :-(
I saw a 'gutter garden' somewhere (probably on here) where they installed several gutters on angles with water going to the top one, then dripping into the next one and so on. Sort of a living water feature.....

 

[Carol Dee]

We did this last year. Only sank 4X4 posts and bolted gutters to one side. They where out in the sun. Planted lettuce in them. Failure. We did not get out to garden EVERY day to water. Plants would wilt between watering and we never got more that some puny little lettuces. They hold a shallow amount of soil which dries quickly. Those look like they might be under a shade cloth to help keep them from cooking in the sun. Anyway. It was not a success for us. They are sitting empty this summer.

 

[digitS']

Perhaps with less exposure of the soil, it wouldn't require constant irrigation:

Strawberry Farm (link)

I believe that some commercial greenhouses have made use of this idea. Greenhouses are controlled environments, however. Still, it might be fun to run these in a garden.

Steve

 

[journey11]

I would think you could build a wooden frame out of 4x4s or landscape timbers, something pergola-like in structure, but longer.

I agree on the soaker hoses, definitely. Also, may want the soil in some sort of grow-bag to help retain moisture and keep the plants well anchored. I don't know if they make them long and skinny for gutters though...maybe. Or maybe you could make something if you're crafty. This would be a neat project. I think it looks like they are in a greenhouse or high tunnel too, although I don't suppose that would be absolutely necessary to get it to work.

 

[Just-Moxie]

Interesting concept. I have seen posts on it before, but not really paid any attention to it. SC is not into using gutters as much seems like...for houses or anything. Hard to find it even on CL etc.
I think I'll be watching this thread.

 

[Wishin']

I want to install these over the top of my raised beds, but Devin doesn't think the bed itself will be able to support the weight of the gutters with dirt in them. Any thoughts on how to make a frame so I can grow stuff over my gardens and double my space?

That looks like it is a hydroponic garden. Are you sure it is a regular dirt filled gutter garden?