Making Raised, Cedar Planter Beds

Oh joy, the newness of Spring is upon us here in Texas! I am so ready for the flowers and bees and all things gardening. There is nothing like the taste of homegrown tomatoes and fresh basil! The joke with my mom is that it takes about $500 worth of good soil for a $2 tomato plant. I prefer to grow all organic. I know exactly what has gone into my food and what I should get out of it. So, it's time to build some raised beds.

Choosing untreated cedar is the best bet for durability and non-toxic growing containers. I built two different style of beds and feel free to copy the materials list. I was learning on the first one and by the second I was a pro. ;) So I will post pictures of both, but only instructions for the second one. You can not get more simple than building a basic box.

Materials:

12 5/8" x 3 1/2" x 6' #2 Cedar Picket (fence boards) $1.45 each

1 4x4x8 Rough Green Western Red Cedar $16.45

64 Deck screws (I use the 2" kind) $9.37 (for a whole box)

Total cost for a 6' x 3' raised bed: $43.22

And FYI, you could make this less expensive by getting the thick cedar post from a Habitat Restore or something. The first one I made for about $15 cheaper, (not this one) but it was too deep and honestly, I know it will not last for more than a year or two without reinforcing the edges. The key is to have some weight at the corners to hold the hundreds of pounds of soil pushing on it over time, as well as it being drenched at times. Spending the extra $10 on the cedar post is worth it.

Directions:

1. Cut the cedar post to make 4 - 14" sections.

2. Set up 2 of the sections with 4 of the boards on top and drill 2 deck screws on each board. This may be overkill, but I want these beds to last for several years at least. (See picture below)

3. Then take 4 of the remaining boards and cut them in half to equal 3'.

4. Set the already attached boards upright and then screw in the 3' boards on top of one another, the same way as the sides. (See picture below)

When placing the raised bed in your yard, make sure you lay landscaping fabric down first. This will keep weeds and critters out of your beds. Here is a picture of the first one I did with the soil in it and then the other, which I have not filled yet.

Good luck and contact me if you have any questions! Fresh veggies and herbs are just weeks away!