After looking at the plethora of available kits for raised garden beds, we decided to build our own. A kit on the market averages about $60 for a 3x7 bed, depending on its main material (anything from Trex-like recycled plastic to straight-up cedar). Well, for about $100 for ALL the materials, we are building 3 4x4 beds, for 48 square feet of sfg goodness.
Why not build a mega-bed? Our answer has everything to do with location. Our backyard is literally a postage stamp- well, a stamp with a deck covering quite a bit of it. And since our development hires out landscapers who are fairly picky about how they mow and maintain the "yards", we couldn't cover our entire parcel with beds. So we'll end up putting 2 of the 3 units against the back of the deck (which optimizes trellis action for vine plants like cukes), and one in a more shaded area against our side fence (definitely a lot more shade, which is ideal for our lettuces and lily family members).
Since this blog has lacked pictures thus far, I now present to you our photo-documented building extravaganza!
Our material list:
6* 2x8x8 kiln-dried douglas fir
10*2x4x8 kiln-dried douglas fir
1 box 3.5" deck screws
1 bottle tite-bond outdoor wood glue
seriously, that's it. what we didn't get today are the optional lats to literally mark out square feet in our beds, some weed-blocking mesh for under the beds, the mesh or chicken wire that will be our pest-patrol netting, and the twine net and pvc for securing for our trellis. but after roughly pricing those out today at the HD, that will only be another $20-30. Not too shabby. Considering a good tiller for breaking earth runs about twice the total price of our beds, I'd say we're coming out ahead.
first things first- cutting the wood to size, as the following:
12 2x8x4 pieces for the main boxes
11 2x4x2 pieces for the pest patrol frames
and
13 2x4x4 pieces for the pest patrol frames and trellis
now- we rip each piece for the pest patrol frames down the middle for desired width, giving us 22 2x2x2 and 26 2x2x4 pieces
holy sawdust, batman!
wood, post-ripping
that's one 4x4 trellis, and 11 2x4 pest control frame pieces that will sit on top of the boxes when they are assembled (which will be done outside, in place, in the backyard).
assembling these pieces wasn't exactly ridiculous fun. the trellis and pest pieces were select premium douglas fir, ie HOUSE STUD GRADE material. let's just say, after an hour of gluing and screwing, it's a bit painful to be typing this (all in the name of SFG!!)
so, there you have it. 4.5 hours, $100, and some valuable lessons for me on how to use Bill's New River Valley Workshop...
Until next time (when hopefully our seeds and seed starter pack arrives!)
~Cupcake
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