It is a challenge to grow vegetables at our 7000 foot altitude. Our last frost date is May 30, and our overnight lows run in the 40s for much of the summer. Last year I had pretty good luck by planting tomatoes in a raised planter and rigging a table lamp under it, surrounded by a tent made from a sheet. It was on a timer to come on overnight, and I did get some tomatoes that ripened on the vine, and some zucchini.

Heartened by this small success, I decided to go big with a raised bed garden kit that I ordered online. Mr. Troutbend had to assemble it, and it came with 300 screws of varying sizes.



He had to make a level spot at the back of the yard for it.



There were lots of parts. These supports hold up heavy plastic trays that have drainage holes in them.



He put a layer of gravel for drainage, just like a flowerpot.



We put in a layer of dirt and then chicken wire with heat cables tied to it. The cables are controlled by a thermostat and are supposed to heat the dirt to 73 degrees. We have been out there several times poking it with a thermometer, and it's running about 65 degrees. It might hold the heat better when our weather gets warmer: it was 50 degrees here yesterday, and 39 overnight.



The dirt is a mix from the landscaping place - topsoil, sand and compost. I don't think it has enough organic matter, so when I plant something I stir in some potting soil.

It came with a clock timer that turns on the water to the soaker hose, 16 programs available, and there is a built-in handheld hose for spraying all over the place.

We planted one of some things - one cabbage, one cilantro, one hot pepper - just to see how they will do.