Regarding your question about the raised garden beds, I think the cedar option is the way to go. I built mine last spring and they have held up really well through all the weather. The key is making sure you have good drainage at the bottom. I used a layer of gravel underneath before adding the soil mix. For the soil I went with a blend of topsoil compost and peat moss. The tomatoes I planted in them have been producing like crazy this season. I am thinking of adding a trellis system for the cucumbers next time. Also if you are planning to do this I would recommend getting the beds at least twelve inches deep for root vegetables. Carrots need that extra depth to grow straight. Let me know if you want me to send you the plans I used for the layout. I can forward them to you this weekend. The whole project took me about three weekends working a few hours each Saturday. I found that staining the wood before assembly made it last longer and look better. One thing I wish I had done differently is adding a drip irrigation system from the start. It would have saved me a lot of time watering during the dry spells.
