GardenLife :: Raised Bed

My typical vegetable planting modus operandi is to purchase way more plants and seeds than my allocated plot allows, but fortunately my husband Bruce is a very understanding and empathetic man. After 47 years of marriage, he knows it is better to build another raised bed, rather than look at my forlorn face and hear my constant wishful sighs. The new bed is perfect (until my next plant purchasing binge)! For instructions on how Bruce made the new bed

Supplies and Tools Needed (for a 4 x 8 ft. raised bed, but adjust accordingly for different dimensions)

(2) 2 in. x 12 in. x 4 ft pressure-treated plank (redwood or Douglas fir)

(2) 2 in. x 12 in. x 8 ft pressure-treated planks

(12) 16d “common” nails or (12) 3/8 in. x 3 in.lag screws with 3/8 in. washers

(4) ½ in. x 1 in. x 2 ft. steel stakes

drill with ¼ in. bit

claw hammer

measuring tape

socket wrench if using lag screws

Instructions :

1.)

Level soil in raised planting bed area

Raised Bed

2.)

Raised Bed 2

Put wood planks together to make a rectangle (to maximize full sun exposure, orient the planter box so its long axis is east to west)

3.)

Raised Bed 3

Attach the sides of the box with (3) 16d common nails through the 2 in. x 12 in. x 4 ft. planks and into the ends of the 2 in. x 12 in. x 8 ft. ends OR

4.)

Use lag screws instead of nails and drill 3 lead holes ¼ in. diameter x 4 in. deep (3 holes along each corner:

(1) 2 in. from the top, (1) 2 in. from the bottom and (1) halfway between the first two)

5.)

Insert lag screws in drilled holes

6.)

Raised Bed 6

Attach lag screws with a socket wrench
and hammer in the four steel stakes at each inside corner of the planter to stabilize it

7.)

Raised Bed 7

Backfill with organic potting soil and blend in an organic amendment

8.)

Raised Bed 8

Add about 10% product rich in humic acid such as Denali Gold, fertilize with a good organic food such as John and Bob’s BioSol and keep snails and slugs away with an iron phosphate molluscide such
as Bayer Advanced Dual Action Snail & Slug Killer (it is organic and safe to use around children and pets).

9.)

Raised Bed 9

Plant your vegetables and watch them grow! (drip or sprinkler system optional)