Wood Raised Plant Bed

The weather is warming and now is the time to think about planting out the new crops for the year if not done already.

A small corner of the garden was under utilised and overgrown and therefore seemed like the ideal location for a makeover.

The makover would be in the form of a raised plant bed once the area had been cleared, levelled and paved.

This project will create individual units that will be joined and stacked 2 high. However these individual units can be joined and stacked for different heights as required.

Wooden Decking planks 2 metre(L) x 120mm(W) x 24mm(H) - Qty 4

Timber Block 1m(L) x 50mm(W) x 47mm (T)

Architrave 2m(L) x 44mm(W) x 15mm(H) - Qty 2

Stainless Steel Screws - 4mm x 40mm - Qty 24

Stainless Steel Screws - 4mm x 25mm - Qty 32

(Alternatively, Brass screws)

Polypropylene/Polyethylene weed control woven fabric 1.6 metre(L) x 1.3 metre(W) or overlapping shorter lengths or widths

Galvanised Wire Staples - 5mm x 15mm - Qty 12

Flat bracket mending plate 75mm(L) x 18mm(W) - Qty 4

All materials were purchased from the local DIY store.

Tools

Combination square

Pencil

Tape Measure

Drill - (Manual or Powered)

3mm drill bit

Saw - (Manual or Powered)

Screwdrivers

Hammer

Clamps

Know your tools and follow the recommended operational procedures and be sure to wear the appropriate PPE.

Taking one of the Decking planks measure a length of 80cm at this mark and with the Combination square draw a line across the width of the plank.

Cut the plank along this line with the saw.

Repeat the process for a total of four.

Taking one of the Decking planks measure a length of 112cm at this mark and with the Combination square draw a line across the width of the plank.

Cut the plank along this line with the saw.

Repeat the process for a total of four.

Take the Timber block and measure a length of 120mm at this mark and with the Combination square draw a line across the width of the block.

Cut the block along this line with the saw.

Repeat the process for a total of eight corners.

Measure 65cm along the architrave and at this mark with the Combination square draw a line across it's width.

Cut the wood along this line with the saw.

Repeat this process to create a second identical piece.

Measure 97cm along the architrave and at this mark with the Combination square draw a line across it's width.

Cut the wood along this line with the saw.

Repeat this process to create a second identical piece.

You will now have four liner rails.

On each piece find and mark half the width whilst marking at half, quarter and three quarter intervals along the length and 25mm in from each end.

At these points using the 3mm drill create pilot holes.

If the wood has not been pretreated to protect it from the elements, rot or pests now would be a good time to do this before assembly. The ends are particularly prone to degradation.

I recommend soaking the ends in a bucket filled with a suitable preservative.

Leave overnight.

Flip over and again soak overnight.

Its also a good time to paint the sides with any run off confined to the bucket.

Once all ends are treated leave to dry for the recommended period prior to applying other coatings and/or assembly.

Note: If you are using the planter for edible plants and you plan to treat it, do so with an eco treatment that is safe to use with plants that will be eaten, does not affect pollenating species such as bees, won’t leave any harmful residue in soil, water or affect animals and aquatic life.

Take one of the short decking sides previously cut and one of the previously cut blocks.

On the 120mm edge measure in 25mm and with the combination square draw a line across the width of this plank.

Along this line at 30mm, 60mm and 90mm from the edge make a mark with the pencil.

Align the longest edge of the block with the 120mm edge of the plank such that the short edge of the block aligns with the long edge of the plank.

In this position clamp the block to the plank.

With the 3mm drill bit make a hole at each of these marks to a depth of 40mm

Fit a 4mm x 40mm screw into each of these holes such that the two elements are joined together.

Take a long side and on the 120mm edge measure in 50mm and with the combination square draw a line across the width of this plank.

Along this line at 30mm, 60mm and 90mm from the edge make a mark with the pencil.

Align the long side to the side of the block to form an L in conjunction with the side already attached.

Overlap the short side with the long side at the corner.

In this position clamp the block to the plank.

With the 3mm drill bit make a hole at each of these marks to a depth of 40mm

Fit a 4mm x 40mm screw into each of these holes such that all three elements are joined together.

Repeat this process again to form another L.

The two L's need to be placed together to form an open frame in the shape of a rectangle.

The two remaining corners need to be joined together using the two remaining blocks using the same method as applied to the previous corners.

Now that you have one frame completed repeat the process to create a second frame.

If you have not already applied any top coats now would be a good time to do so.

At this stage while the frames are still separated, easier to handle and all areas are accessible, prior to applying the liner. it would be seem appropriate to apply any final top coats of varnish, oil or stain.

Brackets are used to join the frames together.

On a long side measure 25mm from the edge of a corner block and with 25mm screws fit the bracket such that half of the bracket protrudes over the top of the frame.

Repeat this process at the other end of the long side.

On the other long side carry out the same process.

Four brackets in total are fitted.

Stack the second frame on top of the first such that the same sides are aligned.

Secure the unattached end of the bracket to the second frame with 25mm screws.

In this project I have stacked two frames, however there is no reason why you could not make additional frames to make the stack higher.

Alternatively, instead of using brackets the corner blocks could be used to set the required height of the stack and planks attached.

An optional liner can be fitted subject to the surface on which it will sit, giving the ability to reposition it on a flat surface without removing the soil.

Subject to the size and thickness of the liner a single sheet or multiple overlapping sheets may be used.

In either situation doubling up each sheet and turning over at the edges for added strength, fix the liner to the inner of the frame with staples in the corners and around the perimeter edge.

Only a few staples are required around the perimeter to keep the liner inplace, as the main support will be provided by the liner rails.

Even though the sheet is woven it is still quite impervous to water therefore do not forget to include some draining hole.

A hole punch could be used but does not give a sealed edge which can fray.

A metal bar or large nail heated in a flame works too.

But I instead used a soldering iron to make the holes, do this in a well ventilated location, ideally outside.

If using a soldering iron don't forget to clean off the plastic residue whilst still hot using a wire brush.

The liner should be made of woven material to allow drainage.

(If you use a non porous sheet be sure to create drainage holes to prevent the plant bed becoming water logged.)

The liner rails are to reduce the likelyhood of the liner being damaged by distributing any stress created by the soil over a larger area as opposed to the attachement points.

With the 25mm screws in the pilot holes fit each rail to the inner sides over lapping the edge of the liner whilst aligning the rail to the frame edge. Fit clamps to hold them in place and tighen with a screwdriver.

The plant bed is now complete.

All that remains to be done is to position it in the required location and fill it with a suitable growing medium prior to introducting the plants.

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As an alternative, turning it in to a covered plant propagator can be accomplished by fitting poles.

Drilling holes in the corner blocks or attaching brackets and fitting a suitable cover.