How to build raised garden beds for small space gardeningHow to build a raised garden bed, which tools, material and skills needed.  How much does it cost.  A model raised bed will be constructed on site.

Building Raised garden beds

• Which tools

• Materials

• Skills needed

• How much does it cost

Tools• Measuring tape• Electric drill

• Drill bits/Screw tips• Saw (hand/power)• Square (framing or

combination)• Scissors or Utility

knife• Stapler (heavy duty)

MaterialSelect kiln dried, untreated dimension lumber

2”x 6”, 2”x 8”, 2”x 10”, 2”x 12”

Screws vs NailsUse coated 2 ½” Deck Screws

Making the Cut

Inter-locking Joints make stronger end

connections than end-to-edge

Butt Joints

Inter-locking cut out is 1 ½” x (1/2 the width)Actual lumber sizes -

cut2”x 6” (1 ½”x 5 ½”) – 2

¾”2” x 8” (1 ½” x 7 ¼”) –

3 5/8”2” x 10” (1 ½” x 9 ¼”)

– 4 5/8”2” x 12” (1 ½” x 11

¼”)-5 5/8”

Assembly PatternLayout lumber in the pattern to be assembled

Top , Bottom , Sides

Pre-drill pilot holes for deck screws

Drill pilot holes ¾” from edge

And

1” from the bottom

1” from the top

Assemble Raised Garden Beds

Attach Inter-locking joints

with coated deck screws

It will take 16 screws for each raised bed

Pictured11 ½” x 4’ x 8 ‘32 square feet

1.11 cubic yards of soil

Install Stakes in CornersDrive 1”x 2” stakes into ground, (1) in each corner of

raised bed

Stack Units to Increase Soil DepthAttach stakes to bed using 1 ½” Coated

Deck Screws

Install 2 inches of stone in bottom of

raised bed

Cover stone with landscape fabric or

weed mat and attach fabric to inside of bed with staples or tacks

How much does it cost?

2”x 12”x 16’ dimension lumber approx. $30.00 ea (2)

1” x 3” x 24” wood stakes approx. $1.50 ea. (4)

Hardware (screws, tacks) approx. $10.00 (1 box)

Landscape fabric approx. $20.00 per roll (50’) (1)

Labor (average 2 hrs per bed) $50.00 per hrTotal (1) 4’x 8’ x 11 ¼” raised bed $200.00Soil, stone, additional (varies for bed size)

Containers of all types and sizes

Small Space gardening can been done on

patios and other small areas using a variety of

containers including:

Canvass bagsBuckets

Clay and Ceramic potsWooden boxes

andmany more …..

How to build raised garden beds for small

space gardeningDennis Chestnut

202.506.1391dennis@groundworkdc.org

www.groundworkdc.org