Fastenings: Use 3.5” galvanized 'spiral' nails. You'll need 32 - 40 nails for this project. (3" galvanized screws can used in place of nails - they will hold better but are a little more expensive.)

Is treated lumber safe? Treated lumber is often used for outdoor projects. Chemicals used to preserve lumber include organic compounds such as pentachlorophenol, creosote and coal tars. Other preservatives contain chromated copper arsenate (CCA), ammonical copper arsenate and acid copper chromate. There is growing concern about the dangers of arsenic leaching into the ground or rubbing off on people's hands from CCA-treated wood.

Until the safety of treated wood is proven conclusively, we recommend you use a naturally rot-resistant wood like red cedar, black locust or redwood. Under most circumstances, these woods will last 10 - 20 years when used for raised beds. Recycled composite plastic lumber (see below) is another alternative, and is now available in a variety of sizes and colors.

Double-dig the bed area. Turn over the soil to a depth of 16”. Leave soil piled up in the center, away from the sides.

Set bed in place and tap down corners. If the bed has built-in stakes, as in the 'build-your-own' model described above, drive one corner down a few inches, then go on to the others and do the same. Repeat this process until bed is at ground level. If you try to drive one corner all the way down before going on to the others, you put too much twist on the structure and may split out one of the stakes.

Level the bed. Use a level for this task. This may seem overly meticulous, but after several waterings the soil will settle to level, and you’ll want the bed to be the same. Set a stiff board (2x4) on top of the bed sides, across the span, and set your level on this board. Tap down stakes as needed till you get a level reading. Be sure to check for level both along the length and across the width of your bed.

Burrowing pests? If your garden has burrowing pests such as moles, a layer of 1" poultry netting (chicken wire) can be laid across the bottom, before soil is added. The mesh should continue at least 3" up along the edges and be stapled to the inside of the bed.

Spread soil out evenly. Add any planned soil amendments, such as peat, compost or lime, and spread the soil evenly across the bed. Soil can be tested with a AccugrowT Soil Test Kit
Water the bed with an even, fine spray. This will settle the soil; add more soil to "top off". (Over time the soil will settle an inch or two more.) Rake once more and you’re ready to plant.

Avoid stepping on the bed. Once the soil is added and the bed is planted, make it a policy to never step on the bed. Stepping on the bed will compact the soil, reduce aeration and impact root growth. Pets should also be trained to stay off the raised beds.

Pathway width. It helps when pathways between raised beds are wide enough for a wheelbarrow or garden cart. For grass pathways, make sure they are at least wide enough for a weedeater or a small mower.

Related Pages:

Compost - make your own high-quality fertilizer and soil conditioner while reducing household waste as much as 30%.
Drip-Irrigation - get better results from your garden while using less water.

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