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h ow to b u i ld a raised bed
Shopping list
Untreated cedar wood is recommended.
Four 6 ft. (1.8 m) 2-by-6 (38-by-140 mm) boards
Four 3 ft. (1 m) 2-by-6 (38-by-140 mm) boards
One 4 ft. (1.2 m) 4-by-4 (89-by-89 mm) board, cut into four, 11 in. (28 cm) lengths
Thirty-two 31/2 in. (88.9 mm) #14 (6.15 mm) wood screws (deck screws are ideal)
Optional
Linseed oil, tung oil, or eco-stain
Hardware cloth, 3 by 6 ft. (1 by 1.8 m), cut to fit the bottom of the bed
One 18 ft. (5.5 m) length of copper stripping
One 10 ft. (3 m) length of 1 in. (25 mm) diameter PVC pipe, cut to four 11 in. (28 cm) lengths
Two 9 ft. (2.7 m) 1/2 in. (12.5 mm) diameter PVC pipes
Eight 1 in. (25 mm) galvanized semicircular brackets, or metal strapping to fit
Sixteen 1/2 in. (12.7 mm) #8 (4.17 mm) wood screws
Steps
1. If you plan to oil or stain the boards, do this first, and allow a day or two for them to dry.
2.On a concrete patio or another level surface, set out two, 11 in.-long 4-by-4s and lay one of
the 3 ft.-long 2-by-6s on top, with the two 4-by-4 posts flush at each end.
3.Attach the board with a couple of 31/2 in. screws.
4.Repeat with the second short board. Make two like this; these will be the short ends of the bed.
5.Stand these sides on edge and position the 6 ft.-long 2-by-6s.
6.Attach these longer boards, one side at a time, with screws, and you’ve got yourself a raised bed.
7.Move it into place, leveling the surface if necessary.
Now you can attach the copper strips along the inside top edge of the bed to deter slugs from
crawling in, line the bottom with hardware cloth if desired, or attach the PVC piping that will
support row covers or shade cloth.
To make row cover supports, attach two, 11 in.-long (28 cm) pieces of the 1 in. diameter PVC pipe
to the inside of each long side of the bed. Space the pipes 1 to 2 ft. (30 to 60 cm) from each end,
and secure them with 1/2 in. screws and semicircular brackets. These tubes will serve as the holders
for the ends of the hoops you will insert if row covers are needed. To make hoops, bend the thinner,
1/2 in. diameter PVC pipes into semicircles, inserting the ends into the larger, permanent pipes
(you could also use flexible young branches for this purpose).
Fill the bed with quality organic soil. For a less expensive option, use the sheet mulching method.
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