Hey Hey Hey!

This post has been a loooooooooooooooooong time coming (see what I did there 😉 ). This project is something that I didn’t want to take on myself (mainly because I saw this project as an opportunity to bond with dear ol’ Dad).

This project isn’t a project you complete in an afternoon, but I can promise you that completing these raised gardens will take your landscaping to another level (without bringing in the big Bobcat and tearing up your yard). Enough chit-chat, let’s get this show on the road!

Raised Garden Bed with Bench

Makes 1, 3’x8′ raised garden

Supplies:

• 8- 18″ long 2″x 4″
• 8-  11″ long 2″x 4″
• 4- 90″ long 2″x 4″
• 2- 36″ long 2″ x 4″
• 4-  9″ long 1″x 6″
• 2- 36″ long 1″ x 6″
• 3- 8′ long planks of Trex decking (for bench top)
  • Cut into 2- 39″ (at the longest outside edge w/ 90 degree edges) and 2- 96.5″ (at the longest outside edge w/ 90 degree edges)
• 1 box (100+) stainless steel deck screws
• 1 box (50+) of stainless steel metal roofing screws (Fast Grip #14 will work)
• 4 sheets of corrugated metal panel (2- 16″ x 88″ and 2- 16″x 34″)
• 1/2 gallon of transparent stain (your choice of color) and brush

 

Instructions:

***Tip before getting started, make sure when assembling that everything is square. All the edges must line up, precisely, and 90 degree angles must be 90 degrees. Your measurements must be exact in order to build the best quality garden.

1.) We are going to start by building the outside frame of the garden box (shown below). Grab two of your long 2″x4″, place them parallel to one another, take your 4, 18″ long 2″x4″ equally space them apart so they are laying on top of the two long planks (so it looks like a ladder) and screw together with 2 deck screws on the top and two on the bottom.

Outside Frame of Garden Box

 

2.) Flip over your frame so you are now looking at the inside of the bench. Grab 4 of your 11″ long 2″ x 4″ and place your pieces to make the pieces flush with the 18″ long 2″x 4″ and screw in 4 screws on the top and bottom.

3.) Duplicate the frame your just made

 

4. Place the two frames parallel to one another (3 feet apart) with the inside sides facing one another. Grab your 3′ long 1″x 6″ and screw into the bottom of the two frames with 2 screws on each side. Screw your 3′ long 2″x 4″ on to the top of the frame.

5.) Duplicate on the other side

6.) Using your favorite stain, apply (at least) two coats of stain to the frame, and let dry for 24 hours

7. Take your corrugated metal sheet and your roofing screws and secure with at least 30 screws on each of the long sides and a minimum of 8 on the short ends (Note: only screw on the “low points” of the sheet or the points that are touching to wood so you don’t dent the metal).

8. Take your pieces of Trex decking, place over the corresponding edges, and secure with screws.

9. These next steps are optional, but I highly advise you complete them in order to give your boxes a finished look. Mark off the area that you want the place the boxes, and rip up the grass. Dig a mini ditch, and slide your edging into the ditch.

10. Take a roll of garden fabric, and secure with fabric staples (to prevent future weeds).

11. Place your box over the fabric, and fill with topsoil.

12. Purchase rocks to fill in around the raised garden bed (I purchased river pebbles).

 

13. Although it may be fall, I wanted to put some perennial grasses in the box, so I went to my local plant and landscaping shop and decided on Karl Forrester grasses because they don’t spread over time but stay tight and tall.

14. Look back on your hard work, grab a cocktail and enjoy!

The reason we created this box is because your can enjoy this box year round, and the best part is, once you’re done, you can forget about it! This will hold up for years to come, and it’s one less thing to do next spring.

I know this project can look a little daunting, but I know you can do it! Make it a goal for you and your spouse, family-member or friend.

These raised gardens have truly turned around the landscaping in my yard, and extended the indoor living-space outdoors. I can’t wait to see the pictures of your gardens!

 

With Love,

Jenna