Raised Garden Beds

A raised garden bed is a good choice for any gardener, from the renter to the home owner. This bed takes up an 8 foot by 2 foot space and sits 2 feet from ground level, the height keeps any ground pests out of your garden as well as allowing easier access to tend the bed.This is a project that can be done by one's self, however a helping hand would be a good idea if available.

4 pieces 1x6x8

4 pieces 1x6x2

4 pieces 1x6 2ft2in long

4 pieces landscape beam/ or 4 pieces 4x4x2

4 ft. x 50 ft. Everbilt 14-Gauge Welded Wire

4x50ft Landscaping Weed Fabric

Drill

1/8 drill bit

3'' exterior screws

Staple gun

1/2'' staples

We started with the short ends. The 1x6x2 we lined up on two of the landscaping beam pieces. We made sure that the1x6x2s came to the edge of the beams to ensure a flat top when the bed was turned upright. We then predrilled the holes with the 1/8 bit and attached the 1x6x2s with the 3'' exterior screws, we set the holes at the top and bottom of the 1x6x2s to make sure there was room for the side pieces to be attached.

Next for the long sides, we stood the short sides up on their sides with the landscaping beams on the outside. The we were able to place the 1x6x8s across the short boards, we made sure to line up the 1x6x8s with the edge of the landscaping beams. Then, we predrilled the holes and attached the 1x6x8s with the 3'' exterior screws. We then turned the bed over and attached the other side in the same fashion. We did have some problems with warping, since we had a few good ol' Florida rain storms before we started. We took care of that by putting all the screws in half way and slowly working them into the wood to prevent cracking.

Now for the bottom supports. We turned the bed on its top, with the feet sticking in the air. At this point we measured each support to the sides of the bed to compensate for the warping. However, if there is no warping then boards that are 2ft 2in long they will easily fit across the bed. We predrilled the support beams and attached with the exterior screws.

After turning the bed upright, it was time for the wire, this further supports the weight of the dirt and plants in the bed. we laid the wire across the top of the bed, overlapping the length by about 10in on either end and 4in over the width. We then cut the wire to allow folding in the sides into the bed, we were able to mold the wire to the corner with the side cut. The raw wire we wrapped around a horizontal wire on the bottom to secure it.

We started securing the wire to the wood with the bottom by stapling it to the support boards. Then we secured the sides by stapling the horizontal wires. We did this all around the bed.

The fabric was the last piece of the bed to build. We laid the fabric across the bed, we folded the edge under and secured with staples starting with the short ends. Then we stapled the long sides leaving the corners for last. The corners we tucked in and folded over to staple around the corner. We used the dirt to help hold down the clothe.

Last, we filled the bed with dirt. Although due to the Florida heat we took some time for an ice cream sandwich break. The final task was to plant our tomatoes, and we used some of the left over wire to make a trellis for the veg to climb.