Theprevious postdiscussed a couple of ways to build a basic raise bed garden , for your pack of cards or on the ground . In this post , we ’ll talk about how to establish a raised bed with legs . If you are considering building a standing raised bed , keep reading until the goal of this post , where we divvy up video recording of a variety of plans for unlike edifice skill spirit level .
More and more people are looking for raised bottom on legs because it ’s gentle to reach into a produce garden , especially if you have back or knee outcome . It ’s also a great fashion to keep rabbits out of your herbs or lettuce . And , they just look attractive , especially on a patio or deck . you’re able to purchase a raised layer on legs from a mixture of sources . The safe ones seem to cost between $ 150 and $ 250 each and can go higher . you’re able to work up one for much less , though it ’s not quite as simple as building a canonic raised bed .
It ’s All in the Legs
Raised seam on leg seem to shine into two styles , based on the style of peg . Some DIYers use two boards ( 1 - by-4s , for example ) to form a V - shape and then attach the side panels of the box inside the V - regulate legs . The legs give the bed a more finished expression . The other type involve using a sturdy post , such as a 4 - by-4 or a 2 - by-3 , in each corner and build the boxful around it . Some common people create a physique that ’s seize to the posts while others just attach the side boards to the posts .
What the bottom of the box is made of also varies . Several builder recommend add together a few crisscross boards on the bottom and then attaching quartern - inch hardware cloth to the bottom . On top of that , landscape cloth is instal . Others use woods for the bottom , which is heavier but sturdier and less likely to rupture .
Building a Standing Box
I need to add two raised beds on stage to my terrace for looks as well as rabbit aegis . My building science level is low to moderate and I do not have a long ton of power tool , but I ’ve built enough boxes to know roughly how to do it .
After check out a lot of videos ( see the golf links at the bottom of the post ) , I chose the task below . It ’s a basic box with a shelf inside to digest the floor of the box and legs made out of two 1 - by-4 inch boards each . ( The volt - style leg . ) To build the box , you postulate four 1 - by-6 by 8 foot boards , each of which is tailor to give you one piece 36 inch retentive and one piece 16 1/2 inches long . The remainder of the lumber is used for the flooring of the box . You also need three 1 - by-4 inch by 8 foot board cut into 30 column inch piece for the leg . ( Again , there will leftover . ) in conclusion , you involve two 1 - by-2 by 8 foundation boards for the ledge that maintain up the floor slats and the decorative trim on the box .
Most projects recommend buying cedar tree or cedar tree fencing because it wear well outside . I chose pine for cost reasons and because I be after to paint the exterior of the box . I also had the add-in cut at the entrepot because I do not own a chop saw .
Per instructions in the video recording , I build two basic corner , one of which had a ledge on the long sides to hold the bottom slat , making attachments with 1 1/4 inch deck of cards screws and a bit of wood glue . After both box were made , I forge the legs and fitted the top boxful inside the branch and screwed it together .
Then my problems begin .
When I tried to slip the bottom box inside the legs , it did not fit . The board were slimly wonky and one side was just a hair too long . Lesson : Measure and cut carefully . After take a break , I realized I could just take the poorly - fitting box asunder and attach each side inside the legs individually . I replaced the too - long board with a unlike board and everything was attached without a trouble . I then burn some of the leftover Natalie Wood to place across the ledge for the floor of the box seat . In the video , they practice an electrical nail artillery to attach these , but I do n’t have one of those , so I used wood mucilage . Since it ’s go to be filled with grease , I think that will work . Lastly , I add together the trim , using nails .
My box is decidedly not pure , but it will work and I remember the key will cover a multitude of flaw . Most of the time these boxes are go out unpainted . I ’ll paint the exterior only so as not to foul soil in the box and then add a shaping liner to the inside of the loge with drain holes . I did this when making thisdouble - decker garden bedand it has work really well . That bed is going into its quaternary time of year with few signboard of wearing .
So Many loge
I have n’t finish my second raised bed on legs yet , but design to do it using the postal service leg method rather than the five - shaped leg . Both boxes will be about 10 inches deep and 30 inches tall . They ’ll be used to get herbaceous plant , green and peradventure some trail blossom , such as nasturtiums .
Below are four videos that show a form of labor for a variety of skill level from single for those without power shaft to one for a Ellen Price Wood - work expert . I trust you regain a box you ’d wish to make and one that will look with child in your garden . Making garden boxes is a fun labor for the end of winter .
For the Gardener with Minimal Tools
This box is well-fixed to make . If you do n’t want to add the ego - watering features , just put more slats across the bottom , add landscape framework and soil .
Simple Project for the Person with a Few More cock
This is a warm telecasting showing how to make a mere prove garden box with a ironware cloth bottom . Not glamorous , but functional .
A V - Leg Project with a downhearted Shelf
I really like the looking of this project and the television feature very clear instructions and a crown on how to get gouge out of your forest . Also , I love that he create a mistake in the video and owns up to it !
This Old House Planter Box
If you ’ve got all the tools and the skills of Tom Silva , this is the one for you !
Mary Lahr Schieris a Minnesota - based garden writer .
Explore our upcoming classes & webinars
Take your horticultural IQ to the next horizontal surface . Explore a panoptic range of classes and topics taught by local expert , available virtually or at a venue near you .
