Create Your Own Elevated Garden Bed or Pote Container
Constructing Your Very Own DIY Raised Garden Bed or Planter Box
Got a passion for gardening but lack that fertile ground to get started? A DIY raised garden bed or planter box is just what you need! This nifty project is perfect for any space, whether it's your driveway, balcony, or deck. And the best part? You can customize it to fit your particular requirements.
There's a frequent question about whether a raised garden bed is the same as a container garden. Here's a quick rundown: the raised garden bed, or planter box, we're focusing on is a container garden, technically speaking. It's an on-ground planter made of wood, metal, or other materials, with soil kept within its frame. Creating a traditional garden bed directly in the ground is more suitable.
In a greenhouse or covered deck, you might consider building a self-watering wicking bed. Although similar in construction, it'll have a different lining and filling to prevent water from draining out and keep the area clean.
Collecting Your Building Materials
The materials you'll require depend on the size of your raised bed. For an 8-foot-long, 2-foot-wide box, you'll need around 5 2x6x8-inch spruce boards and 2 1x6x8-inch boards.
- 2x6x8-inch boards
- 1x6x8-inch boards
- Approximately 30 feet of chain-link fence
- Weed control or landscape fabric
- Screws, nails, a staple gun, and eco wood treatment (optional)
The chain-link fence and landscape fabric guard against rot while permitting good airflow for root development. You won't need to construct a wooden bottom with this setup, as the chain-link and fabric will cover the base.
Building the Planter Box
Measure and cut your boards to size. For example, to build a 2x8-foot bed, use 4 2-foot boards from the 2x6x8-inch boards to make the box. Cut the 2 1x6x8-inch spruce boards in half lengthwise, giving you 4 8-foot boards. Then, cut one into 2 2-foot boards for the ends and the rest into 1-foot boards for side support.
Assemble the boxes by screwing them together. Lay one on top of the other and use the 1-foot boards to support the raised beds from the side.
Now it's time for the chain-link fence. Cut the chain into 6-foot pieces and line the walls and bottom inside the box, securing with nails. The next layer is the fabric. For a 2-foot-wide box, cut the fabric into 6-foot pieces, allowing extra inches for overlap. Staple the fabric on top of the board to prevent soil from seeping between the board and the fabric.
Note: If you plan to build the garden bed directly on the soil, leave the bottom open, and skip the fabric to allow soil life to migrate into the garden beds.
After filling the box with soil, we chose to install the decorative boards on top first. To achieve a polished finish, screw 3-inch boards onto the box. Learn more about soil for containers and raised beds.
Note: If you are building a larger garden bed and plan to use the top board as a working area, select wider boards for added strength. For our purposes, it's just for decoration.
Check out your brand-new raised garden bed or planter box! Where would you like to create your DIY eco-friendly oasis?
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- For any home with a driveway, balcony, or deck, consider constructing a DIY raised garden bed or planter box to cater to your passion for gardening, especially if the ground is unsuitable.
- When selecting materials for a raised bed, you will need 2x6x8-inch spruce boards, 1x6x8-inch boards, a chain-link fence, landscape fabric, screws, nails, a staple gun, and eco wood treatment.
- In a greenhouse or covered deck, you might also build a self-watering wicking bed, which is similar in construction but requires a different lining and filling.
- For a 2x8-foot raised bed, use 4 2-foot boards from the 2x6x8-inch boards to make the box and cut the 2 1x6x8-inch spruce boards in half lengthwise.
- After filling the box with soil, if you'd like a polished finish, consider screwing decorative boards onto the box. If building a larger garden bed and plan to use the top board as a working area, choose wider boards for added strength.
