Got 2 more free crates today and another rain barrel. Crates are 3' wide -6' long and anywhere from 12" deep to 4 feet deep.
I work in an industrial plant and we have been getting a lot of machinery in these REALLY nice wooden crates as well as some hundred uniform pallets from Germany.
The pallets are real sweet with 4×4 stringers ( no bottoms) and 1x4 top slats. They look brand new and we got about 200 plus.

My thoughts and please offer suggestions.
I'd like to line the crates with roll plastic sheeting and the bottom with landscape weed block on just bottom over the plastic.
My reasoning is not to let the wood absorb the water and keep moisture in , with drain holes at bottom. Good idea or no ?

Can you tell I'm ready for spring :)
Well, I got a SR trip next weekend first.
My boat dock for stripers is secured. She goes in April 15th. Don't delay to secure a spot aboard the soulshine.

Good score on the crates and pallets HT! Crates should make for good raised beds and pallets can be leaned on their side and with an addition of a few boards can then be used for vertical planters for smaller plants and herbs.   If you remove a few slats from each pallet you can lean 2 of them together (like a tent) and create climbing trellises for vining plants with the added benefit of having them as a framework to throw plastic over to create 'hot houses' to start plants early and protection from late frosts. 
 
We are seriously considering doing a hay bale garden this year, we have access to free old bales and I like the versatility of being able to do just 1 or 2 in a smaller area and being able to garden without making changes to property (at our campground).

I really been thinking about the recycling program here. Typically I toss all the shipping crates and pallets onto a wooden dumpster at work. We pay for that service and I'm quite sure all the wood gets ground to mulch. Honestly, I don't want that stuff as mulch and would rather use it for my needs.

In that regard, I'm planning my pig farm now. I got the space and fencing.
Here is some things I've observed locally and thoughts in my mind.
We call it a quanza hut. Take a fuel tank or something and cut in half, giving 2 sections. Basically it's a protection cover. Raise the half up on block or wood and hay the bottom.
Thoughts on 2 or 3 pigs ? Best time to buy ?

Around here You are best to buy really early in the year or later in the summer, 4H kids buying for fair projects cause prices to about double in early spring....
And depends on how you are planning to feed... if pasturing for majority of their growing season you want them foraging about the same time your grasslands and woods are clear of snow and growing new grasses and forage. If feeding commercial feed and slop then timing isn't as much of an issue. 

Thanks fisherlady, I did some research this morning as well. I'm pretty sure it's a go on the pigs next month.

This was yesterday's crate score. We keep getting these and I will keep taking them as long as I can

HT those are sweet! A ton of usable project wood there if you want to take them apart and probably a dozen uses as they are. I would be hanging those long ones on a wall on their side to use as storage cabinets or I could see a full wall of those stacked in different positions to make storage cubbies for tools! 
They could also be stacked in the open for raised gardens. If you grow winter squash and have a root cellar they look like good storage boxes for the squash either just stacked or suspended in rafters on pulleys. Endless possibilities there!

Thanks. Wife thought I could make something for her as well. I like the idea of them just being dirt boxes for veggies because other then add dirt, no carpentry skills required, lol.
The pallets are even better quality. The pigs are a go next month. I can think of many uses for free wood . Some type of feeder from the pallets.

Just keep them well fed of they are outside. If the get bored and hungry they are the Houdini of farm animals. They will dig , dig , dig ' If their belles are full they will sleep.   
 
I just tapped 5 trees and the sap is flowing, going to go for 1 gallon this year.

I thought about syrup and honey bees.
That seems like a lot of work for the little return.
We don't use all that much of either, so cost of about $40.00 per year usage didn't add up to my time.. I work with a few guys that do each..

First try at syrup and I think the boiling down will be what makes this a limited endeavor.  Just want to see how it goes. If I get half gallon I will be happy.