The Preparedness and Survival Site

This is a project that I came up with due to some tomatoes on the front porch that still need to be planted, the question was “where to plant them”. This is the solution that I found with about of 15 minutes of planning and three hours of work from start to finish (this includes the engineering nightmares that you will be spared if you decide to build one of these raised beds on your own).

A raised bed planter like this is at home in the front yard or the back and the the architectural style should bend in well with just about any surroundings. The cousin to this planter that we have on the property has been a consistent producer of lettuce, cabbage, chives, rosemary and oregano over the years that we have used it.

First off, the almost finished product:

I can’t give you an estimate on the cost involved if you were to purchase the lumber at the Home Depot or similar store, this one cost me a little over $15.00 using a bandsaw mill to make the lumber from a tree felled on my property (curtosey of my friend and neighbor, cost inlcludes a damaged band saw blade due to human error).

The construction is pretty straight forward once you have the materials cut to the right size, here is the build list for the raised bed shown above.

• 2″X6″ - 6 @ 8′
• 2′X6″ – 6 @ 3’6″
• 4″X6″ – 4 @ 6’6″
• 4″X6″ – 2 @ 3’6″
• 2″X6″ – 2 @ 10′
• Lots of 3″ sheet rock screws!

I’ll need to make sure to adequately emphasize enough sheet rock screws, I used up a whole box of them and still was short!

Layout is fairly easy. On a flat area, lay out the two upright supports on the ground (4″X6″ @ 6’6″), then place one of the bottom boards across the top and bottom of the upright supports. The photo shows the assembly details for the most part.

Measure the diagonal (corner to corner) on all four corners, if the measurement match, its square. If not, adjust until they are.

Once the front/back is sqare, screw the bottom panels to the uprights.

After the bottom panels are in place, the overhead stringer can be placed and screwed down (2″X6″ @ 10′). For the bevels on the ends, I measured 2″ from the top and cut a 45 degree angle. Measure 1′ from each end and mark it accordingly with a pencil, when laid on what will become the top of the raised bed, the marks will line up with the outside of the upright supports and the top flush with the uprights.

Repeat the process for the other front/back section.

Once both the front and back are assembled, the sides can be screwed into either the front or the back. Lift the other completed section on top, and secure.

Note: for the joints on the 4″X6″ overheads, I countersunk the attachment points for the screws a little over 2″

Once assembled, tilt upright and you are in business (with a little leveling to ensure it sits properly).

Using untreated lumber, as I have, a good coat of paint of sealant goes a long ways towards the longevity of the raised bed.

Hope you found this useful.

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