Build A Planting Bed

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PROJECT: RAISED PLANTING BEDS


Alice Corkren | Alice Corkren Photography
As we enter the Spring planting season, many of you are contemplating the perfect spot to sew vegetables or flowers around your home. Some variables to consider in making this choice are the amounts of sunlight vs. shade, soil preference, convenience, accessibility, irrigation, drainage, and location just to name a few. After deciding on a location, the question of construction materials must be answered; stone, wood, wire, rock, cement? A trip to the local hardware supplies store can almost seem daunting when searching through the myriad amount of materials.

Just a few short months ago I found myself in this very predicament. Grown tired of the uncertainties associated with planting directly into the plowed earth, it was time to make a change. Ultimately, a raised garden bed seemed to fit best for me. I must admit that the notion of designing and constructing raised planting beds is not a revolutionary idea. They have been in existence for centuries after all. What was surprising to me was the fact that I found my resources somewhat limited on how to go about creating one. The beds need to be simple in construction and roughly four-foot wide and eight-foot long to accommodate the space and amount of produce I will be planting in them. Ultimately, with much help from my dad; my new vegetable garden is taking shape.

Alice Corkren | Alice Corkren Photography
The basic square frame consists of treated pine decking boards, round treated posts for support and screws to secure the boards in each corner. I chose to construct my beds in treated pine because of its durability against rot and the versatility of painting or staining. Not to mention, the price is incredibly reasonable and readily available.The addition of a small seat around the perimeter of the bed allows for ease when working, and an area to place tools.

Alice Corkren | Alice Corkren Photography

Alice Corkren | Alice Corkren Photography
When complete, the vegetable garden will contain twelve planting beds with gravel walkways, a fire pit, seating area, and a plank fence all the way around in an attempt to deter deer. If limited outdoor space is your concern; these planting beds may be the solution. The overall size of the bed is ideal for containing vast amounts of plants perfect for a kitchen garden. Construction can also be tailored to fit the needs of your unique space. For instance, a balcony or porch could double as a planting area with the addition of a bottom to the wooden bed. Early planting of seeds is also a viable option when gardening in a raised vegetable bed. One can easily create a “hothouse” of their very own by affixing clear plastic over the beds. Without the fear of frost, and an increase in the soil temperature, the germination period of the seed is cut in half. With a cost, less than one-hundred dollars, these vegetables beds are economical and budget friendly.
Alice Corkren | Alice Corkren Photography
MATERIALS:

Eleven, 5/8 inch treated decking boards

Two, 8-foot round posts or 4 x 4 square posts for supports

Fifty- six, 2 ½ inch wood screws

Electric Drill

Skill Saw

Level

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Framing square


STEPS:

1. Clear the area of any debris, and if necessary level the area to accommodate the bed.

2. Using the skill saw, cut three, 8-ft decking boards in half, yielding six, 4-ft pieces that will form each end of the bed.

3. Build the first frame by placing two 8-ft boards, and two of the 4-ft boards together end-to-end.  Use the framing square to ensure a 90° angle at each corner is present. Securely attach the boards with two screws in each corner to form a rectangle measuring 4-ft x 8-ft. Place your first frame in the desired location of the bed.

4. Measure 24 inches from each end of the bed to determine the placement of the supports. Mark your placement and remove the frame.

5. With the skill saw, cut two, 8-ft round posts in half, yielding four, 4-ft posts to use as your supports for the bed.

6. Using the post-hole digger, dig a 2-ft deep hole for each of the four supports. Place the support in the hole and backfill with dirt. Once the pole supports are set, return the first frame to the desired location.

7. Level the first frame within the supports, double checking to ensure the frame is perfectly level. It is incredibly important to level this first frame, because it will form the basis for which the rest of the structure is built. After leveling, attach the frame to each post support using two screws per post, equaling in the use of eight screws per frame.

8. Construct the remaining three frames by repeating the process outlined in Step. 3. Place the frames within the supports; leveling, and securing each frame.

9.  Attach two, 8-ft boards to the supports on each side of the bed to create the shelf; securing with two screws per post.

10. Fill your bed with the desired soil selection. Firmly pack soil into the bed to accommodate any settling that might occur.

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