Raised Bed Building Guide
The following instructions are to build a simple 8 foot long, 4 foot wide raised bed that is 12 inches high.
We use cedar lumber boards that are 1 inch thick, but you can use any type of wood (non-pressure treated) that fits your budget.
Step 1. Gather Your Supplies
Step 2. Ensure You Have the Necessary Tools
Step 3. Measure and Cut Your Boards
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Take one of the 1"x12"x8' boards and measure the halfway point. (It should be close to 4' in length).
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Cut the 1"x12"x8' board in half, resulting in 2, 1"x12"x4' boards.
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Take one of the 2"x4"x8' boards and measure 11 inches.
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Cut at the 11" mark, and repeat, measuring and cutting 5 more times.
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You will have 6, 2"x4"x11" boards, with some of the board left over. These are the braces.
Step 4. Attach the Braces
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Take one of the 2"x4"x11" boards (brace), and place it underneath one end of a 1"x12"x8' board.
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Attach the 2"x4"x11" brace to the 1"x12"x8' board using 6 screws.
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On the other end of the 1"x12"x8' board attach another 2"x4"x11" brace.
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Repeat this process for your other 1"x12"x8' board.
Step 5. Attach the Corners
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Place the 1"x12"x8' board with the attached 2"x4"x11" brace upright.
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Take one of your 1"x12"x4' boards and line up the edges to your braced board so it makes a corner. (image 1)
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Attach the 1"x12"x4' board to the brace using 4 screws. (image 2)
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Place your second 1"x12"x8' board upright and align next to the two boards you attached in steps 2 and 3. (image 3)
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Attach this board to the 2"x4"x11" brace using 4 screws. You will now have 3 sides of your box completed. (image 4)
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Take your second 1"x12"x4' board, and align it with the edges of the two 1"x12"x8' boards.
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Attach this 1"x12"x4' board by screwing it into the 2"x4"x11" brace. Repeat on the other end. (image 5)
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You now have a rectangular bed, 8 feet long and 4 feet wide. (image 6)
Step 6. Reinforce the Sides
To prevent the sides of your raised bed from bowing outwards, it needs to be reinforced.
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Measure the midway point, (about 4 feet), of your 8' board.
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Take one of your remaining 2"x4"x11" and attach it at this midway point using 6 screws. (image 1)
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Take the other 2"x4"x8' board, align it with the 2"x4"x11" brace in the middle, and attach it using 2 screws. (image 2)
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Using your last 2"x4"x11" brace, place it under the 2"x4"x8' board across from the other midway brace. (image 3)
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Attach the 2"x4"x8' board to this brace using 2 screws. (image 4)
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Using 6 screws, attach the 2"x4"x11" brace to the 1"x12"x8' board. (image 4)
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Finally, cut off the excess of the middle 2"x4"x8' board. (image 5)
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Your raised bed is now ready to be filled with soil. (image 6)