Hello from a newbie.

I'm 57, ex Navy 'Nam vet Harley rider, and on Wife 3.0 .

Been in this house since 1986, and in recent years the back yard has, well, lacked maintenance.

Just a couple weeks ago I paid to have it cleaned out, and am starting with a clean slate, so to speak. All the ornamentals and a couple fruit trees stayed. I'm seriously considering putting in some SFG beds. Just was exposed to the concept at the recent Orange County Fair. Started experimenting with drip irrigation too.

I've been thinking about bed construction after lurking here a bit. Today I read about using cinder blocks and came up with some ideas. The blocks I'm thinking of are 6x8x16, but the 8x8x16 would work too. I just need the couple inches more space.

Look at a cinder block, one surface has some little clearances that form a sort of tunnel in the long axis. I had the idea to first lay down a "foundation" of cinder block "cap" stones. These are roughly the size of a cinder block, but only one inch thick. Then, here's the cool part. Lay down some 1/2" black plastic drip irrigation supply line, and place the main 6x8x16 block on top of it, the water line running thru the little tunnel. Depending on the size of the SFG, this could be along one or both long sides of the SFG.

Now, go ahead with the rest of the SFG, even to the extent of using the hollows of the blocks for herbs as was suggested here, but don't use all the pockets. Plan a drip irrigation system, and use a pocket as needed to access the water supply line and run the smaller drip tube up to the garden.

Comments?