Necessity is the Mother of Invention

DIY project, garden cart, garden platform

 

I injured my knee while setting up equipment for the Riverside Office of Voters center La Quinta in the Coachella Valley. 

This made me re-examine the accessibility of some of my plants. 

I have been interested in raising the garden to a higher level, but I have been put off by the price of pre-made tables and carts, and by the cost of plant friendly lumber. Then it came to me, "just make a platform for the fabric bags!"

I made a plan on Apple Preview (my license for Adobe products has lapsed!). A plant platform, The Gro-Cart:

I don't own a power saw, so I was looking for the least number of the cuts possible. So rather than using a 4x4, I used two 2x4s, one 2 feet in length and the other 6 ft. This made the corners of the platform, and created a surface for the joist.

Home Depot made the project easier. I found where they had pre-cut lengths of 2x4 in two foot and four foot pieces. For the platform base and upper frame, I used 1x2.

I managed to put this together with help from the family, patience, and breaks for ice.

I rolled the Gro-Cart over to the corner of the garden with several bags and the grapevine. 

Now I don't need to lean over pots to get to my bags.

The Gro-Cart holds six 5 gallon fabric bags and multiple hanging pots. 

One of the bags is a salad pot: 

Arugula  and Merlot Lettuce

On the hanging frame, I have flowers such as this Kalanchoe:

I noticed that the platform blocked access to some grapes that needed to be protected from the critters.

No problem, it is easy to move the Gro-Cart even with all the bags on it.

The new platform is not only easier on my knee, but it is a perfect fit for the garden.

I will add a transparent cover for the winter to make a rolling hot house.