Things You'll Need:
- Four 2x6 or 2x8 untreated boards. 16 penny nails or 3 1/2" screws, Peat, Vermiculite or perlite, and compost. Plywood for Bottom, if the bed is to be movable.
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Step 1
Collect all of the needed items for your raised bed. You can get everything you need at your local lumber supply company. Lowes or other discount lumber supply stores can be the cheapest places to get what you need.
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Step 2
It is best to cut the 2 end boards of your bed about 3 to 4 feet wide. This allows you to be able to work around them very easily with out stretching to reach to the middle of it and also to prevent walking in it. I cut 2 boards 4 feet in length. if you purchase 8 foot boards, just cut one in half for the end pieces. For the length of the bed you can buy 2 boards of any length you want the raised bed to be. I used some 8 foot 2x8 boards that I already had on hand. Once these boards are the length and width you want them to be, connect the corners with either the 16 penny nails or screws. I used screws because I believe they will hold together much longer.
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Step 3
Place the box in the yard where you want it to be located. Mow the area where you want the bed. You can also till it and remove all of the grass and weeds.
Place at least 9 layers of newspapers in the bottom of the bed. This will help kill out and prevent future grass and weeds in the bed. -
Step 4
Premix the peat, compost, and perlite (or vermiculite). I mix them as 5 parts peat, 1 part perlite, and 1 part compost. It is best to premix these in a tub or wheelbarrow, then dump it into the raised bed.
