Constructing Raised Bed Gardens from Planks

The advantage to constructing raised bed gardens from planks is that the boards are more easily handled than other materials such as landscape timbers or concrete blocks. The pictures and details call for using 2-inch by 6-inch boards for the sides of the bed. If you have other size boards on hand it's easy to adjust the materials list for lumber such as 2x4 or 2x12 planks.

I prefer to build a 12-inch high raised bed over taller beds to save on cost, though a 24-inch bed would be even handier for gardening while standing. With 12-inches of soil mix you don't necessarily have to dig out the soil underneath the bed, unless you're planning on planting root vegetables such as carrots or potatoes, and you want a little more depth of tilled soil.

Plans for building raised beds 4x8x1 feet in size

Materials when Using 2x6 Boards

4-in. x 4-in. post - 6ft	1 each
2-in. x 6-in. boards - 8 ft	6 each

Required Hardware

31/2-in. #14 wood screws	24 each
4-ft x 10-ft roll of hardware cloth (metal 1/2-in. mesh) or chicken wire	1 roll
3/4-in. rigid white PVC pipe - 10 ft	1 each
1/2-in. flexible white PVC pipe - 10 ft	3 each
3/4-in. pipe straps	12 each
3/4-in. #8 wood screws	24 each

Tools Required

• Hammer
• Electric drill
• Level
• Power saw (mitre or circular saw)

Constructing Raised Bed Gardens Step-by-Step

1. Cut to Length

Cut the boards and corner posts

• Cut the 4x4 post into four 12-in corner posts
• Cut two of the 2x6 boards into four 4-ft lengths

Cutting the PVC Pipe for Hoops

• Cut the 3/4-in rigid PVC pipe for the base into six 12-in-long pieces.
• Cut the 1/2-in flexible PVC pipe to 8-ft lengths.

2. Assemble the Planks

• Assemble the boards on a hard, flat surface
• Pre-drill three holes slightly smaller than the screw several inches apart.
• Set a 4-foot 2x6 on its edge, and place a 12-inch post at one end.
• Hold in place with 12-in bar clamps.
• Secure the board against the post with three 31/2-inch screws. Repeat at the other end of the board. Repeat with the other short board.
• Join the short sides with the 8-foot boards, overlapping the ends of the other boards; pre-drill and attach with three screws at each end.
• Add the other 8-foot long side.
• Add the second row of 2x6s.

3. Prepare the Site

• Mark off the 4x8 site with stakes and string.
• Remove any lawn grass or weeds (optionally you can just cover the ground with weed-control cloth).
• Loosen the soil and remove any remaining weed roots.
• If your site isn't level, dig out the high edges of the space to prepare for the placement of the frame.

4. Move the frame into place and level

• Move the bed into position in the yard.
• Place a level on each side and dig out under the sides until all four sides are level.

5. Attach Pipe

• To hold hoops for bird netting or row covers, attach the six 12-inch pieces of 3/4-inch PVC pipe inside the bed.
• On the long sides, space pipes 2 feet apart, 1 foot from each end and one in the center; screw on two tube straps to secure each pipe.

6. (Optional) Install Bottom Lining

• Rake the existing soil at the bottom of the bed to level it, then tamp it smooth.
• Line the bed with hardware cloth or chicken wire to keep out gophers and moles; trim the cloth with shears to fit around corner posts then tack in place with staples or bent nails.

7. Fill with Soil Mix

• Fill the bed with good soil for tomatoes
• Fill within 1 to 2-inches of the top
• Rake smooth, breaking up any clumps
• Let the bed settle for a few days before planting

Congratulations on building a raised bed! See, constructing raised bed gardens isn't too difficult. Next, for tomatoes and other vine-type plants you'll need to build some vertical supports like a tomato trellis. I'll cover how to do this in a future article.