How to Build a Raised Gardens

A raised garden is sometimes referred to as a garden bed or raised bed. You can create a raised bed using amended garden soil to form a linear mound in which to plant your seed. A permanent raised garden bed is made from lumber and provides structural support for the garden. You can have one raised garden or build several and create a pattern of raised gardens.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Three 2-by-12 lengths of lumber 8 feet in length Twelve 1/2" by 3 1/2" stainless steel or galvanized lag bolts Saw Drill with a 3/8" wood bit Ratchet with 1/2" socket

How to Build a Raised Garden

1. Clear an 8-foot by 4-foot patch for your raised garden. Slightly loosen the topsoil in the cleared area, then level the surface.

2. Cut one of the 8-foot lengths of lumber into two 4-foot lengths.

3. Paint or stain the lumber if you desire. You do not need to paint or stain pressure-treated lumber because it is chemically treated to resist rot. However, if you use nontreated lumber or simply want your bed a different color, add the paint or stain now.

4. Dry fit the lumber to form the bed. Do this in the location the bed will be set up. Have a partner hold the two 8-foot lengths of lumber while you set the two 4-foot lengths at each end. This forms the rectangle that will be the raised garden.

5. Drill three evenly spaced holes one inch from the edge of each side of the 4-foot lengths of lumber and into the edges of the 8-foot lengths that are butted up to the 4-foot lengths. Drill one inch deep into the 8-foot lengths.

6. Use the lag bolts to secure the 4-foot lengths to the longer sides of your bed. Insert the lag bolts into the holes and tighten the lag bolts with a ratchet.

7. Fill the raised garden with soil. This 8-by-4 foot garden will hold between 26 and 32 cubic feet of soil.

References

• Big Book of Gardening Skills; Garden Way Publishing; 1993