THE VEGETABLE GARDENERS BOOK OF BUILDING PROJECTS

FROM THE EDITORS OF STOREY PUBLISHING

THE

VEGETABLE
GARDENERS
BOOK OF

BUILDING
PROJECTS
Raised Beds Cold Frames Compost Bins
Planters Plant Supports Trellises
Harvesting and Storage Aids

39
ESSENTIALS
to increase the
bounty and beauty
of your garden

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HETHER IT'S A COLD FRAME for getting

a jump on the season; a rack for storing
rakes and shovels; or a sturdy, lightweight box
for gathering newly picked produce, the right
prop can save you time, effort, and frustration.
In this book youll nd plans for 39 woodworking projects that t the bill. From hard-working
essential equipment to complementary garden
furnishings, this collection answers every gardeners needs and dreams for a well-outtted
haven for growing and enjoying a bountiful
harvest.

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Many of the projects can be made easily by

beginning woodworkers in a couple of hours,
and others will provide satisfying challenges
for more experienced craftspeople. To ensure
success, all the plans feature a shopping list of
materials (including the types and lengths of
wood youll need to request at the lumberyard)
cutting diagrams, and an exploded view for
assembly. There are also written instructions
and helpful building tips for every project. By
the time youve completed a project or two,
you just may discover that you have a brandnew hobby along with a well-built garden!

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CONTENTS

Building Projects for

PLANTING AND GROWING

Window Sash Cold Frame 18
Shallow Raised Bed 22

Building Projects for

HARVESTING AND
PRESERVING
Berry Box 86

Deep Raised Bed 24

Solar Dryer 88

Classic Compost Bin 28

Outdoor Storage Bin 90

New Zealand Compost Box 30

Garden Bench 92

Small Sifter 32

Handy Lightweight Bench 96

Large Sifter 34
Circle Plant Support 36
Triangle Plant Support 38
Horizontal Tomato Support 40
Cylindrical Tomato Cage 42
A-Frame Bean and Pea Support 46
T-pea Tower 48
Handy House 52

Building Projects for

RELAXING AND ENJOYING

YOUR BACKYARD
Picnic Table 102

Tool Rack 54

Adirondack-Style Lawn Chair 109

Potting Bench 56

Westport Chair 115

Lattice Shade Cover 60

Garden Swing 119

Hanging Planter 64

Pitched-Roof Birdhouse 126

Window Box Planter 66

Hinged-Roof Birdhouse 133

Square Planter 68

Nesting Platform 136

Rose Arbor 72

Platform Feeder 138

Garden Gate 76

Single-Sided Hopper Feeder 141

Gate Latch 80

Two-Sided Hopper Feeder 145

Weather Vane Feeder 146
Flower Press 148

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Project No.

one day
y

New Zealand
Compost Box
MATERIALS
Lumber
1" 6" cedar (thirteen 8'
foot lengths)
Ten 2" 2" 3' cedar
balusters

Supplies
One hundred twelve 1"
galvanized wood screws
Four 1 " galvanized wood
screws

Tools
Tape measure
Pencil
Carpenters square
Wood saw
Power drill
Driver bit to match
screws
Hammer
5 "
32 twist drill bit

This type of compost bin has been a

popular choice for many years. It is easy
to assemble and use particularly
when the compost is ready to turn. You
simply take the sides apart, reassemble
them beside the compost pile, and fork
the pile back into the bin.
Compost Materials
One of the great things about composting is the broad range
of materials you can use to build the pile. Some of the more
common choices include lawn clippings, spoiled hay, garden
refuse, kitchen garbage, wood, ashes, and leaves. Almost anything organic will do, and the greater the variety the better
the pile. However, some items, such as meat, eggs, dairy products, and grease, can attract rodents and are best avoided.
Its also advisable to forego any herbicide-treated plants.

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Project No.5

NEW ZEALAND COMPOST BOX

S New Zealand compost box. The slatted sides of this box provide adequate air
circulation while reducing the visibility of the composting material inside it.

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Cutting and drilling the lumber.

Constructing the bin. Begin by

Drive two stakes E into the

From the 1"6", cut a 59"

building the three xed panels.

ground about 37" apart where

length A and two 5" blocks B

Start with the back, laying two

you want the back of the bin

for the support bar, and two

inside corners (balusters, E) on

to stand. Lean the back panel

dozen 47" lengths for the bin

a at surface and attaching the

against the stakes (the stakes

slats C, D, & F. Then predrill

six back slats c to them. Screw

should be on the outside of the

screw holes in 6 slats for the back

the rst slat ush to the top ends

bin), and screw it in place. Then

of the bin and 12 slats for the

and side edges of the corners

lean the side panels in place, and

sides below. (See gs. 1 and 2.)

and the second slat " up from

fasten the loose ends to the back

the bottom. Then ll in the space

panel corners. (See g. 3.)

between them with the remaining

Create a channel in the front

four slats, spacing them about "

corner of each side panel for

apart. (See g. 3.)

installing the removable slats

Next, make up the two side

that will make up the bins front

panels, but this time nail the

panel F. To do this, attach

side slats D to one inside corner

another corner board parallel to

(which will be positioned at the

the existing one, spacing the two

front of the bin) and leave the

just far enough apart for a slat to

opposite ends of the slats unnailed.

slide between them. (See g. 3.)

(You will attach them to the back

panel once you locate the bin.)

Cutting diagram

predrill screw holes

"

predrill screw holes

"

C
47"
g. 1

1"

predrill screw holes

3"
"

47"
g. 2

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predrill screw holes

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E
E
B
E

59"

B
C

channels for
attaching
boards

E
g. 3

Next, partially sink 158" screws

into the ends of the six remaining slats F so that the heads
are " above the wood (g. 4).
The screws will keep the boards

properly spaced. Slide the slats

down through the channels (with
the screwed edges down). Finally,
screw a support block B to each
guide facilitates
alignment of
screws

end of the support bar A and set

the bar across the top of the bin

g. 4

to keep the sides from spreading.

Drive a stake into the ground on
each side of the bin, and fasten

"

the bin to it from the inside.

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THE VEGETABLE GARDENERS BOOK OF BUILDING PROJECTS

IF YOU BUILD IT,

THEY WILL GROW

Solar Dryer

A-Frame Bean and Pea Support

March
2010!

Window Sash Cold Frame

The Vegetable Gardeners

Book of Building Projects
Full-color; photographs and illustrations throughout
152 pages; 8 x 10/
Paper: $18.95 US / $23.95 CAN
ISBN: 978-1-60342-526-1
No. 62526

Publicity and Press

Publicity Contact: Amy Greeman (413) 346-2113
or amy.greeman@storey.com

Special feature pitch to Home sections of major daily

newspapers and online editions
National review mailing

Storey books are distributed in the gift and book trade by Workman Publishing. To order, please see your sales representative
or call (800) 722-7202. Storey books are distributed in Canada by Thomas Allen & Son, LTD, (800) 387-4333.

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Photography John Gruen

Pitch to DIY blogs and magazines

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