First raised bed, First post on permies.com...

I have attached some photos of my first raised bed, currently under construction. It is in a crescent shape that is oriented so that it will protect the bee hives from the northwest winter wind. The plan is for it to be about four feet across at the base and six feet tall, or more if I can manage to get the soil up that high. We are doing this mostly without any mechanical equipment. I'm thinking of covering the wood in the photos with dirt and then stacking another layer of logs on top of that and covering that with the upside-down sod, more dirt, and some of hay/straw/manure compost. I'll just plant clover and some flowers on it this year and them add some bushes and vegetables next year.

The logs are red pine and Siberian elm. I'm located in mid-Michigan.

More photos are here: http://goo.gl/XwOBV

I'd welcome any criticism, suggestions, or other feedback. Thanks!

Chris

I like it! When can you start on mine?

Looks good! How do the bees feel about you working that close to them?

cool, where are you in Mid Michigan, I'm N of Cadillac and s of Traverse city

The bees don't mind at all.

We are around Laingsburg, which is fifteen minutes northeast of East Lansing.

Thanks for the replies!