How to Make a Raised Flower Bed

The following instructions are for an average sized 4-by-8 foot raised flower bed frame. You can lengthen or reduce the size to fit your garden. Keep in mind that lumber is usually sold in two foot lengths: 8 foot, 10 foot, 12 foot and so on. The sizes suggested in these instructions will use nearly every foot of lumber purchased with minimal scrap.

Plan a trip to the local lumber yard or home center to get started. Cedar or redwood lumber should be your first choice for the most weather resistant results. Pine or Douglas fir can be substituted if your budget is tight. Just remember pine and fir are not as durable in the rain, snow and winter weather as cedar or redwood. Ask the lumber yard to cut the lumber to the needed lengths to make transportation easier. Add a wire mesh garden cloth as a liner, it makes an effective barrier to keep moles and gophers away from your new plants.

Materials needed for each 4-by-8 foot raised flower bed:

• Four 12 foot long 2-by-6's; each cut into an 8 foot piece and a 4 foot piece
  (each 12 foot piece provides the wood needed for 1 side and 1 end).
• One 6 foot long 4-by-4; cut into four, 16 inch pieces (for the 4 corner posts).
• One 4-by-10 foot roll of ¼ inch mesh hardware cloth (for the liner).
• 32 ¼ by 3-1/2 inch lag screws (wood screws with hex heads).
• 32 cubic feet of planting mix or a good top soil mixed with compost.

Assembling the raised flower bed frame:

Once your lumber is cut to length, find a flat surface such as a driveway or patio to assemble the frame for your raised flower bed.

1. Lay the first two 2-by-6-by-4 foot end pieces on top of the first two corner posts and square them up, making certain they are flush with the top edge of each post.
2. Attach each 2-by-6 to the corner posts with two lag screws at each end through the 2-by-6 and into each corner post. This is easier if you drill pilot holes for the lag screws.
3. Stagger the holes going into the 4-by-4 posts for maximum strength.
4. Continuing with the opposite 4 foot end pieces, screw those 2-by-6-by-4 foot pieces flush to the top of the remaining two 4-by-4 posts with two screws through each 2-by-6 at each end.
5. Leave 5 inches extending from the bottom of each 4-by-4 post as a leg.
6. Attach the 8 foot side pieces to both end assemblies with the remaining lag screws. It is easier to assemble the frame upside down.

Move the flower bed frame to your chosen garden location:

1. Position the frame in the garden leaving about 3 feet on all sides for a walkway.
2. Dig a 6 inch deep hole for each corner post (or leg).
3. Level the sides of the frame and rake the ground under the flower bed frame.
4. Cut the mesh hardware cloth to lie on the ground and fit inside all four sides of the frame.
   Tin snips or wire cutters work best for this. Make the cuts for the hardware cloth to fit around the 4-by-4 posts.
5. Fill the frame with potting soil or a mix of good top soil and compost.

Going beyond the basics:

• Consider adding 2-by-4's or 2-by-6's, lying flat on the top of your raised frame for a place to sit.
• Add decorative post caps as a design element. They're available in several styles: pyramid, flat top, classic and ball top. All the styles would make great finishing touches.
• Make raised flower beds of several different heights. Some could be three boards high, which is close to seating height, and some two boards high.
• Add a build-in a trellis or other vertical structure for roses, beans and other climbers.
• Low voltage accent lights can make a dramatic addition to your garden at a modest cost.
• Build a matching bench or love seat as seating or rest area.

Final tips:

• Make accurate cuts with a radial arm saw or circular saw for best results. Accurate measurements will also help.
• Pre-drill holes for the lag screws to make the assembly go quicker.
• Lag screws have a hexagon head. A ratchet and socket will make their installation easier rather than using an open end wrench or an adjustable crescent wrench.
• Use a bar of moist soap to "soap the threads" of the lag screws. This little trick makes their installation much easier.
• Cedar and redwood ages beautifully. Use them for the most weather resistant results.
• Measure your garden area carefully and allow for an ample walkway on all sides of the raised flower bed frame. Three feet should be considered the minimum width needed.

Tools you'll want on hand:

• Radial arm saw or circular saw (if cutting your own wood)
• Ratchet and socket set, open end wrench or crescent wrench
• Framing square
• Electric or cordless drill
• Tin snips or wire cutters
• Two foot level or a small bullet level
• Shovel or trowel

Building raised flower beds in the garden provides an opportunity to expand your planting area. A raised flower bed can lower maintenance and add interesting planting areas for flowers, vegetables or herbs in nutrient rich, freshly mixed soil. With less bending over to work the soil, raised beds are much easier on your back and knees. And, they can add a custom structure to your landscape areas.
With a little planning you can build and install several raised flower beds in a day.