Well, since we’ve been raised bed makin’ fools around here and I thought I might share with you all how to make a raised bed, too 🙂 It’s a fairly simple process, but it always takes us longer than we remember it’s going to!
First, determine the space your new bed(s) will go in and take measurements (remember: measure twice, cut once).
Next, gather and cut your lumber and posts to your chosen size (your posts should be about 6 inches taller than your bed will be high). Grab your drill, screws and bits, a hammer, staple gun and extra staples.
Then, put the frame together (using screws instead of nails for greater stability), which is basically just a box. If you want your bed to be higher, stack two boxes on top of each other.
Next, adjust the bed so it sits exactly where you want it and make sure it’s level-ish 😉 Dig your posts into the ground at each corner. Make sure the top of the post is flush with the top of your bed (this is where the hammer comes in handy…) and drill them into each other from one side or the other. If your bed is two boxes tall, make sure to screw both layers into each post.
Once your bed is put together, now would be the time to cut and lay down your weed cloth and staple it to the inside of your bed. This isn’t a necessary step, but if you have roots in the ground around your beds, they will take over your beds. So, the weed cloth works as a barrier from the bottom up while still allowing for proper drainage.
Finally, fill your bed(s) with soil and you’re done!!! All that’s left is the planting and watering and weeding…but that’s another story 😉
There you have it! Now you know how to build a raised bed! Happy Building!
xoxo,
M
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Hi, The boxes turned out great! I like the design of the rows. I can’t wait to see all the vegetables. Thanks for the sharing this.
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Did you seal the slats together with anything? I’m wondering if you won’t see drainage and dirt loss between the bottom and top boards. Very nice job! For this year just getting going I think I am going to use heavy plastic storage bins, but what a great plan for next year!
Margo, we did not seal the two boards with anything as they are pretty tight in there. Since we have drip irrigation the watering is quite slow and gentle so the only time we’ve seen any loss of soil has been when there is a torrential downpour…but then we’re so happy for the rain that it doesn’t matter 🙂
Very nice! I can’t wait to see all the vegetables.
Thank you, Kate! Me too!
Your beds look very nice!! I like that they are so tall, that will make them super easy to weed and care for!! Ours are only 12 inches tall and as I’m getting older I wish I did have to bend over so low to pull the weeds!!
At first I though they were going to be too tall! They looked huge to me once we got them up! But I’ve adjusted and am super happy with them now…it’s definitely nice to not have to bend over so much to take care of things 🙂
The boxes turned out great! I like the design of the rows. As for sealing, the sealant when dried properly won’t leach. They need about a month to dry completely.
Thank you! We’re happy with them and can’t wait to get lots of seeds and seedlings into them! It’s almost time!!!
Did you seal the wood on your boxes? They look beautiful. I’m building mine this weekend and I’m concerns about the wood not lasting too long if they aren’t sealed. But I’m more worried about the sealer chemicals leaching into the plants.
The wood we used was reclaimed from an old house a local contractor tore down earlier this year. These were the old floor boards…amazing, right? So, I’m not sure what they’re sealed with but whatever it is, it must have off-gassed 100 years ago 😉 We haven’t sealed out other raised beds because we have been worried about leaching but my understanding is that once they’ve cured, you should be OK. Another option is to simply not plant root veggies in the beds you decide to seal.