1. 1449511 Alberta Ltd. ©Ann Edall-Robson 2014

2. Pallet Must not be treated wood Heavy-duty garden fabric Heavy-duty stapler 4-6 30L bags of potting soil 4-6 cell packs of bedding plants Safety goggles Gloves Trowel Hammer Duct Tape

3. Hammer nails flush with boards on both the front and back of pallet

4. Measure and cut garden fabric Leave a 12” flap of fabric on all four sides of the pallet Staple the fabric to the sides, bottom, and back of the pallet Leave the top end open Back of the pallet has fewer stringers Fold back the flaps and secure using staples and duct tape Make sure all staples are flush with the wood

6. Once full, the pallet will be very heavy Prevent strain by placing pallet as close to its intended placement as possible Prepare for frost and harsh weather When empty, place the pallet on a riser and tuck a tarp underneath one end To protect your plants, simply cover them with the handy tarp! To save money, seeds may be sown in the pallet or grown indoors until they are ready to be transplanted

7. Plan plant placement Start with the bottom stringer Fill with soil Add first row of plants Secure in place with more soil and gentle tamping Move on to the next opening Pour more soil in and push it to snugly secure the bottom plants Repeat steps until the pallet has been filled

8. Keep pallet horizontal for about two weeks to allow plants to settle and their root structure to become secure

9. After two weeks, lift the pallet into an upright position

10. Dirt will settle to the bottom Add more dirt and plants to the top opening if needed Cucumbers, tomatoes, or peppers do well in the top opening

11. Treated wood may effect plant growth and the taste of any vegetables or herbs Trailing plants are happiest in the top openings, whereas climbing plants are best suited to the side edges Consider the sun and shade needs of your plants

12. Start at the top board Water the board above each row of plants Water will drip down into the soil below each board Watch for soil compaction and replenish as needed

13. The more you harvest your herbs and lettuce, the faster they will grow This holds true for flowering plants Any plants that die should be left in the pallet for the duration of the growing season Removing them disrupts the root system of other plants Remove plants that are infested with bugs or fungus If dead plant is unsightly, cut the base of the stem, leaving the root system intact In the fall Leave behind some of the roots, leaves, and stems as mulch to retain moisture

14. From Our Home To Yours Photography by DAKATAMADAKATAMA