Today Only - the Pittsburgh TooI Set & 1OO Harbor Freight Card

Yeah I finally got around to building that raised garden bed you asked about. Used cedar planks since they hold up better outside. Laid a base layer of landscape fabric first then filled it with a mix of topsoil and compost. The whole thing took about a weekend. I went with 4x8 feet and two feet deep which gives enough room for tomatoes and peppers without being too much to manage. Drilled some drainage holes along the bottom edge and lined the inside walls with plastic sheeting to slow down rot. If you want to do something similar I'd suggest getting the lumber pre-cut at the store since it saves a ton of time. Don't skip the weed barrier underneath or you'll be pulling grass out of it all summer. Let me know if you want the exact measurements I used.

Also made sure to slope the top slightly so water runs off rather than pooling on the wood. That should help the cedar last even longer. I added a drip irrigation kit from the hardware store which made watering automatic. Thinking about building a second one on the other side of the patio for herbs and lettuce. If you start now you'll have everything ready for spring planting.

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About that pasta dish you asked about with the lemon and herb sauce. I start by boiling the water and salting it well then cook the pasta about a minute less than the package says so it finishes in the pan. While that's going I heat some olive oil in a pan and sauté garlic until it's fragrant then add a splash of the pasta water to create the base. Once the pasta is done I toss it in the pan with fresh lemon juice zest and a handful of chopped parsley. The key is to let it all cook together for another minute so the flavors meld. I finish it with some grated parmesan and a crack of black pepper. My family really likes it with grilled chicken on top but it works fine as a side too.

If you want more richness you can add a pat of butter at the end before serving. I also sometimes throw in a handful of cherry tomatoes cut in half when I add the garlic. They soften up nicely and add a little sweetness. Let me know if you try it and what you think. I can send you the exact measurements if you need them.