How to build a "super" raspberry support system

Before we get started on how we built a raspberry patch at home, I need a huge favor.  I need you all to send this post to 5+ friends or family members.  Troy said if I put these photos on my blog, that I need to "keep his bulge out of the frame, and this better get like 3,000 page views".  I've never gotten more than 2,000 page views, so I really need your help!   Because as my friend Angela said when she saw the pictures "that right there is a real man".  Troy needs the praise and page views for being so ballsy by letting me put these pictures up.  That's what she said.

I came home from Lowes last Saturday morning to find Troy and Jack in Superman costumes.  For the record, it wasn't known to me that my husband of almost eight years owned said Superman costume.  I immediately directed them outside to the front yard with camera in hand, and demanded they build my raspberry supports.  Right then and there.  In costume.  I'm nice like that.

So, here is how our family builds raspberry supports.  In style.

You'll need
Two 2x4x8s (weather treated, or painted)
One untreated 2x4x8
8 eyebolt thingys (Troy assures me those are real words)
2 bags of pea gravel
Wire
4 Nails
Drill
Hammer
Saw of some kind

Saw the untreated 2x4x8 into four pieces.  Two of the pieces should be longer than the other two.

At the top of one of the treated 2x4x8, hammer two nails to connect one of the larger untreated pieces on to the top of the treated piece.  Add the shorter untreated piece about 2-3 feet below that.  Repeat for both treated 2x4x8s.

Check for quality control.

Using a power drill,  drill 8 total holes in to the untreated pieces of wood.

Insert the eye bolts in to the holes that were just drilled.

Preparing the site for installation

Using a post hold digger thing, dig a deep hole.  At least 18-24 inches deep if possible.

Such a terrible picture!

Put the post in the hole.

Look around for an extra pair of hands.  Where did your helpers go?  Oh right...

Steady the post with one hand, and while trying not to give yourself a hernia, fill the hole with pea gravel.  Give it a good shake to help it settle, then add more pea gravel.  Repeat with the other post.

Dig your holes for your berry plants, add compost, then the plants, then fill the holes with compost.  Water, and then cover with the mulch of your choice.  This is easiest done using your child's wagon that he just received as a birthday gift from his Auntie Anne.

Voila.  We'll string the wire once the berry canes add a bit of growth.  The wires will be used to support the canes as they continue their upward growth.

And here is a random picture of one of the wild peacocks that lives on our street.

So, again, please forward this post to at least 5 friends.  Get Troy his page views!  Don't let his public humiliation go to waste!

Total cost for this project - $43.40 (that includes 4 bags of compost even though I only used 1 in this bed).  I tried for months on get free lumber on Freecycle, but I couldn't find a darn tootin thing that was being given away.  The raspberry bushes were free from my aunt and uncle from thinning their current patch.  The cost of organic raspberries at the market?  At least $4 per pint.  So assuming we can get 11 pints out of this in the next 1-2 years, our break even point will be under 24 months.

Shared at: It's a Keeper Thursday, Simple Lives Thursday, and Frugal Fridays.