How to Build a Raised Bed

Whilst they have been around for many years raisedcare with circular saws and wear appropriate safety
beds are the in thing this season, with manygear) cut across the line.
gardeners old and new now using them and I will3.) Repeat steps 1 & 2 above for the second
discuss how to build one for as little money asplank.
possible.4.) Now measure out a 2.4 metre length of board
The benefits of raised beds are:and using your straight edge and pencil mark a line at
1.) The soil heats up earlier in season and stays90 degrees to the edge of the board. Then repeat
warmer for longer at the end of the season, thusstep 2 above.
extending the overall growing window.5.) Repeat step 4 for the second 2.4 metre board
2.) Raised beds can be accessed from all sides, thus6.) Now using your electric drill and 4mm drill bit, drill
eliminating the need to constantly have to avoidtwo holes 4-5 cm in from the edge of the end of
treading on crops or seedlings. Commonly raised bedseach 1.2 metre long planks, approximately 4 inches
are 6 inches high and 1.2 metres wide and 2.4 metresapart. This should leave you with four holes drilled in
long. This ease of access also save our poor backseach plank. Do the same with the 2.4 metre long
after a long day on the vegetable plot.planks. But also drill 2 more holes in the centre of the
3.) They can also be built in high levels thus making2.4 metre long planks again about 4 inches apart.
them ideal for those gardeners with limited mobility.7.) Paint the planks on both sides and then ends and
Higher raised beds enabling gardening from a seat orput your feet up and have a cup of tea whilst they
wheelchair.dry.
What you will need to build a raised bed?8.) Take the 2 x 2 timber and cut it into six 1 ft
1.) Four old scaffolding planks are ideal for buildinglengths.
raised beds, scaffolding companies often have old9.) Take 2.4 metre long planks and place one of the
planks available for free if you are prepared to collecttimbers from 8. Above and using the decking screws
them. You want enough for 2 pieces 1.2 metres longfasten the 2.4 metre plank to the 1 ft lengths of 2
and for 2 pieces 2.4 metres long.x2 timber. Do the same with the other 2.4 metre
2.) Enough 2 x 2 inch timber to make six 1 foot longplank.
stakes.10.) Now using the hammer tap the 2 x 2 inch
3.) Small tub of creosotetimbers attached to the first 2.4 metre long plank
4.) Large paintbrushinto the ground where you want your raised bed to
5.) 20 decking screws.be. (I recommend digging the earth around where
6.) One handsaw or ideally circular saw (plusthe wood is to be hammered in first to loosen it)
extension lead).11.) Now measure 1.2 metres away from the plank
7.) Electric drill and 4 mm drill bit and a countersink.you just hammered in and do the same with the
8.) Saw bench or chair to rest the wood on.second 2.4 metre plank, making sure it is parallel with
9.) Tape measure.the first one.
10.) Pencil.12.) Now take the 1.2 metre planks and using the
11.) Straight edge.predrilled holes and decking screws fasten them to
12.) Large hammer.the 2 x 2 inch stakes at the end of each 2.4 metre
13.) Cordless screwdriverlong plank. Your raised bed is now ready.
14.) Old Newspaper13.) Now take the old newspaper and put it down in
15.) Watering Canoverlapping sheets in the bottom of the raised bed,
Instructions.then using the watering can wet it all down, allow it
1.) Rest one of the scaffolding boards on your chairto dry. It should dry as one big sheet protecting the
or saw table, measure out 1.2 metres from one endbottom of your raised bed.
and using your straight edge and pencil mark a line14.) Add layers of compost and soil alternately to the
out at 90 degrees to the edge of the board.bed.
2.) Using your handsaw or circular saw (Always takeYour raised bed is now ready.