Easy DIY Raised Garden Bed

When considering planting a garden, you should take a look at planting a raised garden bed. They offer plenty of benefits to planting, and have a rather aesthetically pleasing look as well. They’re good for those that have bad backs, as they’re easier to work in. You can plant even if your soil is contaminated, as a raised bed can be filled with clean soil. They help keep critters and varmints out of your food. And, even better, you can easily build a raised bed in a day or less.

There’s a process involved, of course, and it starts with planning. Consider the following four points:

• Where you want the beds.
• How many beds you’re going to want or need.
• The size of your bed. (Most don’t build a bed larger than 3 feet wide, as they’re harder to manage that way. The length, though, can be as long as you want.)
• What materials you’re using. Most people build with wood, as it’s cheap, light and durable. You can always build with stone or concrete as well, but those beds are harder to remove if needed.

Assuming you’ve done your planning and your measuring and shopping, we’ll get into building the beds. There’s many different ways you can go about this part, as it depends on the design and style you want to have in your yard. There are many option when it comes to choosing lumber. You can choose recycled pallet boards, railroad ties, or some 2×6 boards. For these instructions, though, we’re going to go with a simple wooden frame bed.

1. Measure, mark and cut your wood boards; these will be the sides of your bed. Measure, mark and cut your 2×4 or 4×4 posts for the corner pieces. They should be cut to the height of the bed wall.
2. Clamp together the side walls, and drill to the sides of the posts.
3. Form a box, with your posts on the inside corners of the box. Drill pilot holes and connect with screws.
4. Back the bed with wide mesh, stapling it to the frame. This will keep out varmints while still allowing proper drainage and earthworms.
5. Prepare the place where the beds will sit. It’s better to have them on the soil, as opposed to concrete or wood, for better drainage and growth. The grass should be removed from the area, and the soil loosened.
6. Place your beds on the prepared ground and then fill with soil. Plant your garden to your specifications.

You can, of course, treat and stain your lumber for a more sophisticated look. Adding paint can add a pop of color and design to your yard as well. Gardens aren’t just for practicality, after all, they’re also a way to add fun and beauty to your lives!