How to build raised garden beds for small space gardeningHow to build a raised garden bed, which tools, material and skills needed. How much does it cost. A model raised bed will be constructed on site.
Building Raised garden beds
• Which tools
• Materials
• Skills needed
• How much does it cost
Tools• Measuring tape• Electric drill
• Drill bits/Screw tips• Saw (hand/power)• Square (framing or
combination)• Scissors or Utility
knife• Stapler (heavy duty)
MaterialSelect kiln dried, untreated dimension lumber
2”x 6”, 2”x 8”, 2”x 10”, 2”x 12”
Screws vs NailsUse coated 2 ½” Deck Screws
Making the Cut
Inter-locking Joints make stronger end
connections than end-to-edge
Butt Joints
Inter-locking cut out is 1 ½” x (1/2 the width)Actual lumber sizes -
cut2”x 6” (1 ½”x 5 ½”) – 2
¾”2” x 8” (1 ½” x 7 ¼”) –
3 5/8”2” x 10” (1 ½” x 9 ¼”)
– 4 5/8”2” x 12” (1 ½” x 11
¼”)-5 5/8”
Assembly PatternLayout lumber in the pattern to be assembled
Top , Bottom , Sides
Pre-drill pilot holes for deck screws
Drill pilot holes ¾” from edge
And
1” from the bottom
1” from the top
Assemble Raised Garden Beds
Attach Inter-locking joints
with coated deck screws
It will take 16 screws for each raised bed
Pictured11 ½” x 4’ x 8 ‘32 square feet
1.11 cubic yards of soil
Install Stakes in CornersDrive 1”x 2” stakes into ground, (1) in each corner of
raised bed
Stack Units to Increase Soil DepthAttach stakes to bed using 1 ½” Coated
Deck Screws
Install 2 inches of stone in bottom of
raised bed
Cover stone with landscape fabric or
weed mat and attach fabric to inside of bed with staples or tacks
How much does it cost?
2”x 12”x 16’ dimension lumber approx. $30.00 ea (2)
1” x 3” x 24” wood stakes approx. $1.50 ea. (4)
Hardware (screws, tacks) approx. $10.00 (1 box)
Landscape fabric approx. $20.00 per roll (50’) (1)
Labor (average 2 hrs per bed) $50.00 per hrTotal (1) 4’x 8’ x 11 ¼” raised bed $200.00Soil, stone, additional (varies for bed size)
Containers of all types and sizes
Small Space gardening can been done on
patios and other small areas using a variety of
containers including:
Canvass bagsBuckets
Clay and Ceramic potsWooden boxes
andmany more …..
How to build raised garden beds for small
space gardeningDennis Chestnut
www.groundworkdc.org
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