ReadyMade {35} READYWHIP



Inspired by plans developed at the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, this easy-to-build salad table was designed to be a living-and-learning tool for schools, prisons, senior centers, and low-income neighborhoods. It’s also a fun project for a group of friends to build, plant, and harvest together. Salad days are here to stay!

RAISED SALAD BED Cost approx: $60
2 2" x 4" x 10' cut to the following lengths:
2 pieces 58" long (long sides)
4 pieces 30" long (cross pieces)
2 2" x 4" x 12' cut to the following lengths:
4 pieces 32 1/2" long (inside support legs)
4 pieces 36" long (outside legs)
3" galvanized wood screws
3'x5' roll of aluminum window screening
3'x5' roll of 1/2" mesh hardware cloth
1 box 3/8" staples
Roofing nails

Power drill with assorted bits
Tape measure
Safety gloves
Staple gun
Hammer
Square
Tin snips

1. Using a power drill, attach the long sides of wood (58") to the cross pieces (30") using 3" galvanized screws. The two interior cross pieces should be attached 18 " from each end of the long pieces (this makes for three roughly equal sections).
2. Wearing safety gloves, center the window screen on the outside bottom of the frame. Two people are required to stretch it taut and staple it to the frame bottom and sides using a staple gun.
3. Center the hardware cloth over the window screen, pull it taut, and staple it to the frame bottom. Nail roofing nails around the frame for added support. Trim the edges of the window screen and hardware cloth so that they’re flush with the edges of the table.
4. Build four sturdy legs by attaching each of the 32" legs to a 36" leg using the 3" galvanized wood screws. The table will rest on the shorter piece of each two-piece leg.
5. Attach the legs by driving three 3" screws through the top of each leg and into the long side of the frame.
6. Fill ’er up with dirt and seeds, and pray for rain!


{ TIP } Because the salad table is shallow, make sure your soil is light and fluffy to encourage fast seed germination, strong root growth, and good water drainage. Fill the table with a growing media containing peat moss and perlite, plus vermiculite and 100% high-quality compost, or a combination of the two.

GOOD TO GROW
This table is perfect for all sorts of herbs, leafy greens, edible flowers, and short-rooted vegetables. Here’s a quick sampling of some plants that thrive in its environs:

Anise
Arugula
Basil
Beets
Broccoli rabe
Chard
Chervil
Chicory
Cilantro
Cress
Endive
Escarole
Kale
Komatsuna
Kyona
Leafy amaranth
Lettuce
Miner’s lettuce
Mint
Mizuna
Mustard greens
Nasturtiums
Parsley
Radishes
Sorrel
Spinach
Thyme