Making a New Plot

Congratulations on your decision to build a raised bed! Here is a step by step guide.

Step 1: Get some materials.

Some people bought wood, while others got theirs for free off craigslist. Cedar is great if you are buying and want to grow organic, but it is expensive. Pressure treated wood will last longer and no longer contains harmful chemicals. Older treated wood should be used with caution, as it is known to contain arsenic which can be absorbed by root vegetables. However you get your materials, you'll need to get them cut or cut them yourself. Most hardware stores will do this for you if you ask nicely, too.

Step 2: Dig your plot

The property slopes, so you'll need to dig more on the uphill side and less on the downhill side if you want a level plot. You should want a level plot to prevent runoff when watering, and for enhanced stability of the plot. Digging deeper means your plants can develop better root systems. We recommend making your plot at least 6" deeper than the surrounding land, so that your total depth from the top of your plot is about 1.5 feet. Remove any taproots, large rocks, and foreign debris. Save dirt for fill in later.

Step 3: Assemble the bed frame

Some people put the posts in first for stability, but if you're on your own, assembling the frame might be easier. Use the 4x4 one foot sections as corner posts and attach the boards with at least two screws. Do not use screws too close to the edge or the board may split. You may want to drill a pilot hole first if the wood seems prone to splitting. For screws of this length, you'll want a more powerful drill (18V, rather than 7V or 12V) so that it doesn't stop halfway. It's good to do this as close to the plot as possible because the frame is pretty heavy and awkward to move.

Step 4: Level the frame

Put the frame over the hole you dug for the bed and start to level it by putting the level on each side of the bed and checking to make sure the bubble is centered. Shore up any side that is too low with bricks or rocks. Make sure the earth is packed down at this step so that you are getting an accurate reading. You may want to line the bottom edges with rocks to help prevent cave-ins when you fill in the edge gaps later, and to keep the local soil from infiltrating in the future.

Step 5: Line the bed

Use either a staple gun or a hammer and nails to attach landscaping fabric to the inside of the bed. You may want to add pleats so that there is extra fabris and the liner can expand outward as you add soil. You'll want to make sure it's not taut anywhere inside the bed, since it will be weighed down with dirt. You should cover gaps to make sure you can block out any weeds you may have missed.

Step 6: Fill in the bed

You'll want to add some soil to the inside of the bed so that you can fill in the gaps where the frame didn't fit the hole perfectly on the outside. Having good, raised-bed soil in the bed will help with avoiding cave-ins from the local soil as you fill in those gaps. You don't have to fill it up to the top if you don't want to, and you don't have to do it all at once, but having something in there helps. Fill in the outside gaps with the dirt you saved when digging the plot. You'll need more for the downhill side and less for the uphill side.

Step 7: Get planting

With your bed full of raised bed soil, you're ready to plant! Keep in mind that north-south orientation is best for getting the most sun, and be realistic about the amount of sun your plot will likely get. Otherwise, enjoy your new raised bed and the fact that you helped beautify your community!

What you will need to make a 4x4 bed, if you're buying:

• One 4x4" 8-foot post, rated for ground contact (cut into 1 ft sections, most hardware stores will do this for you, wood should cost ~$10. This will be enough for you and a friend.)
• Two 2x10" 8-foot boards, rated for ground contact (cut into four foot long pieces, which should give you four total. ~$20.)
• Exterior screws (deck screws), at least 2.5" long, 3" is better
• Landscaping fabric or newspapers to line & control weeds
• Nails/staples to attach landscaping fabric
• Access to a cordless drill, hammer or staple gun, and level.

What you will need to make a 6x4 bed, if you're buying:

• One 4x4" 8-foot post, rated for ground contact (cut into 1 ft sections, most hardware stores will do this for you, wood should cost ~$10. This will be enough for you and a friend.)
• Four 2x6" 10-foot boards, rated for ground contact (cut four 4-foot long pieces, and four 6-foot long pieces. You'll stack them two high to get the height.)
• Exterior screws (deck screws), at least 2.5" long, 3" is better
• Landscaping fabric or newspapers to line & control weeds
• Nails/staples to attach landscaping fabric
• Access to a cordless drill, hammer or staple gun, and level.