Colt Case Ingersoll Garden Tractors

I’ve been very busy all week constructing some raised beds for gardening. I had some 55 gallon plastic barrels that I used in the past for catching rain water for vegetable plants. I cut them in half vertically. I had some used deck lumber, 2x6’s that I used for the framework. I salvaged some tongue and groove spruce lumber from a place that I worked at, for the covering around the framework. Then painted the boards for a completed look. A gallon of exterior house paint was on clearance at Walmart for $10. Also needed some deck screws from HD that I used a birthday gift card on. I’ve completed two and have four more to complete. Today I cut up four more barrels and cut up more deck lumber outside to keep the mess outside. Suppose to rain the next three days, so I can work in the shop. Harry

Looks Great Harry!

That kool idea Harry . Nice job of it too . I would steal that idea , but I allready have too much too do . Maybe next year .

Great use of recycled materials. Looks like a convenient way to pick veggies!

Three completed, three more to go. Harry

Easier on your back or to keep some critters out?

MattA wrote: ↑Wed Apr 02, 2025 8:24 pm Easier on your back or to keep some critters out?

I’m still wondering about keeping the deer out. They will think I built them so they won’t have to bend over. Harry

Harry wrote: ↑Thu Apr 03, 2025 6:12 am

MattA wrote: ↑Wed Apr 02, 2025 8:24 pm Easier on your back or to keep some critters out?

I’m still wondering about keeping the deer out. They will think I built them so they won’t have to bend over. Harry

I've been using deer repellent by Bobbex. It was recommended to me by my parents who have way too many gardens to maintain. Seems to cut down on the deer feasting my my lillies and hosta. I just put some on recently. I'll check this weekend to see how its doing.

It does say on the bottle not for use on food or feed crops... and it smells like hot dogs when applied.

This product is sprayed directly on the plants. Not sure if I would go that way. In the past we have used Irish spring soap hanging on a string on our pumpkin patch in the backyard with success. Harry

You might consider an electric fence charger and some of the white tape electric fence from TSC.
My experience has been that the deer will touch the electric fence once and never come back. When you want to work on the beds just turn off the charger.

Harry wrote: ↑Fri Apr 04, 2025 8:19 am This product is sprayed directly on the plants. Not sure if I would go that way. In the past we have used Irish spring soap hanging on a string on our pumpkin patch in the backyard with success. Harry

We've had good luck with Irish Spring by going around the perimeter of the garden with a bar of soap and a vegetable peeler. Not so much for deer, mainly rabbits.

I like the idea of soap on a rope.

Bob

Harry , google electric netting .

@Harry, the only problem I see with thes raised beds is, How do you get a 644 and tiller on top of them?

Spike188 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 04, 2025 5:45 pm @Harry, the only problem I see with thes raised beds is, How do you get a 644 and tiller on top of them?

Time for a quick attach bucket - then you could mount the tiller on the loader arms and have at it...
Definitely no more sore back from bending over...

I appreciate everyone’s comments on suggestions and the humor. Always a plus to get help and a smile on this site. Harry

@Harry between @RoamingGnome and myself we should be able to help you keep up set time with a raised bed. After using the 644 to add soil to the raised beds, do not put the tractor away. The 644 loader will come in handy for holding garden tools, seedlings, seed, and fertilizer at a proper work height for planting. I see a pain free back in your near future.

Glad you can see the humour in it @Harry

We haven't even started to get creative...
- Just think - If you put Quick Attach brackets on your planter beds...
- you could easily move them around to take advantage of the best sun,
- no need to worry about tripping on the garden hose when you could just take them over to the tap for watering,
- Sun too hot for weeding? move them into the shade, and then back again afterwards,
- frost warning? no worries, pick up the beds and carry them inside for the night,
- end of season - carry them over to the compost pile and clean everything out right there...

(If you didn't want to go the QA route, I'm sure putting forklift pockets in the boxes would work just as well, and be more cost effective )

I'm only making these suggestions so you can have maximum seat time, and really enjoy using your tractors this summer...

I finished the last of seven planting boxes and spent no time in transplanting last years arborvitae seedlings. The small boxes worked well but the seedlings needed more space to grow. When transplanting them I noticed many having good root structure on them. One small boxes worked well filled one bed. One more to go and then start some more for cuttings. Harry

Give new meaning to being put to bed .