Raised Bed Garden (Part 1)

We've wanted a garden since we moved in 2 years ago, so this year we decided to go with the raised bed garden. Since we are running out of time to start our garden, we sat down and decided the size we needed and we got started.

We decided on 4 beds that were 4' x 8' each. We figured that would give us plenty of space to plant what we wanted...which by the way, everyone's number one question when they find out your putting in a garden is "whatcha planting?"

The first thing we did was grabbed some stakes and string to measure off were we wanted our garden to be. Just a rough estimate of what size it would be in the end.

Since we wanted to make this a permanent gardening area we purchased treated wood so it would hold up longer in the weather. We bought (6) 2x8x16 @ $18.49 each and (4) 4x4x8 @ $10.99 each at our local lumber yard. The lumber yard cut our 16 footers into 8 footers so they would fit in the truck and after we got home my honey cut a few more of the pieces down to 4 footers for the end pieces.

Since we already had a giant box of the screws, we used them instead of buying more. 2 1/2" was a good length for what we were putting together.

My honey cut the 4x4 posts into 2' lengths and we used these as our corner posts. He decided also to cut the top ends that would be showing into a fancy shape just for a little extra sumthin sumthin! To make these "fancy" tops, he used the chop saw and a 45 degree angle and kept rotating the 4x4 until all the sides were cut, then he just took the pointed tip off the tops.

After we got the frames screwed together, we added the corner posts. My honey used clamps to hold them in place while he screwed them to the frame. This insured correct placement every time.

The clamps offered a steady hands free approach of assembly. What you see here is the entire bed turned upside down, so the fancy corner post top is down toward the floor. The extra long part will be buried in the ground.

After we assembled one we'd carry it out to our chosen garden area. I had fun snapping pictures every time we added one until we were done. I don't know if you noticed the stormy skies in the very first picture up there, but we were kind of racing mother nature to get done and sit them in place. Next week we dig holes, cement them in and add dirt!

It doesn't have to be done all at once. It is a slow process in the works! C-ya next time!