Channel 7: Building a Raised Garden Bed

If you are a beginner or a gardening expert, raised garden beds are a fantastic way to grow flowers and vegetables.  With the first day of spring right around the corner, now is the ideal time to start making plans for your gardens and landscape!

Benefits of a raised garden bed:

• Great soil to begin with
• Guaranteed drainage
• Reduced soil erosion
• Better sun exposure
• Higher % yield of plants
• Reduced water use
• Less weeds
• Less strain on your back and body

You can purchase pre-fabricated raised garden beds or for the viewers who like to do-it-yourself:

Materials Needed:

• (1) 8′ 4×4 Post**
• (9) 8′ 2×6 Boards**
• 3 1/2″ Deck Screws (galvanized)
• Wood Saw
• Screw Driver
• Staple Gun
• Landscape Fabric/Weed Barrier
• Potting/Garden Soil
• Plant Materials

**Avoid railroad ties that have been treated with creosote or ACQ, if you do use these be sure to line the entire bed with landscape fabric to avoid soil and wood making contact***

Steps:

• Measure and cut the 4×4 posts into (4) 2′ lengths (this will make the corner posts)
• Screw (3) 2×6 boards one at a time to (2) of the corner posts (these will be stacked (3) high)
• The bottom board should be flush with the bottom of the (2) posts, the top board should stop about 7.5″ from the top of the posts
• Repeat steps 2 and 3 to finish making the other long side of the bed
• Cut the remaining (3) 2×6 boards in half
• Stand the (2) long sides up so the posts are parallel and 4′ apart
• Screw the end pieces to the corner posts (there will be (3) to each end)
• Staple the cloth to the bottom of the bed
• Fill bed with soil
• Plant plant materials
• Water in and watch your plants grow!