DIY Raised Plant Bed Stand

Plant bed stands allow for ease of access without limiting garden enjoyment.

Building a raised bed that stands like a table on your deck, patio or balcony can make the hobby of gardening instantly accessible to gardeners who are unable to garden at ground level. By raising the planting area up, disabled, elderly and wheelchair-bound gardeners can reach the soil and plants. The raised plant bed stand can be made in less than a day, and once it is filled with soil you can plant in it anything from flowering plants to fruits and vegetables.

Things You'll Need

• 2-by-12 inch board, 12 feet long
• Tape measure
• Saw
• Drill
• Galvanized screws
• 2-by-2 inch board, 32 inches long
• 1-inch-thick plywood
• 2-by-4-inch board, 34 inches long
• 4 posts, 4 by 4 inches, 3 feet long
• Small drill bit
• Landscaping fabric, 34 inches square

Instructions

1. Measure and cut a 2-by-12-inch 12-foot board into four pieces, each 3 feet long. Arrange the boards into a square that is 12 inches tall. Screw three evenly spaced screws at each corner to secure.

2. Measure and cut your 32-inch 2-by-2 board into four 8-inch stakes. Stand one 8-inch stake upright inside each corner of the square. Screw two screws through the square frame into each stake to hold them in place.

3. Cut a sheet of 1-inch plywood into a 34-inch square. Hold the plywood horizontally and drop it inside the square frame so each corner rests on top of the ends of the 8-inch stakes.

4. Lay a 2-by-4-inch board across the center of the plywood so the board's cut ends rest against the inside edges of the square frame. Screw two screws through the frame and into the 2-by-4 at each end of the board.

5. Hold one 3-foot long post upright and place it on top of the plywood along an inside corner of the frame. Screw two screws through each side of the frame and into the post to secure. Repeat this step with the remaining three posts.

6. Turn the plant bed stand over. Drill four to six holes into the plywood on either side of the 2-by-4 using a drill bit ½-inch or smaller. Lay the square of landscaping fabric over the plywood. Fill the bed with potting soil, garden soil, compost or a mixture of materials.

Tips & Warnings

• Expect to use approximately 4 to 5 cubic feet of soil to fill the table 6 inches deep.

• If the plywood bottom appears to be wearing out, remove the plants and soil from the bed and lift the plywood to remove it. Replace with a new plywood sheet and landscaping fabric.

References

• "Vegetable Gardening: Your Ultimate Guide"; Robert J. Dolezal; 2000
• "Growing Fruit and Vegetables"; Richard Bird; 2003