Help Assembling Raised Beds?

When you tackle a job it is important to work safely. It is best to consider the following points when assembling your raised bed.

1. Keep your work area tidy
2. Use the correct tools for the job
3. Wear gloves where it is pratical
4. Consider others.

You will require a few tools when assembling your raised beds and these will be;

1. Hammer
2. Spirit level
3. Tape measure
4. Spade
5. Pencil
6. Set square or modern saw.

The raised bed will need to be sat on a solid surface or on top of a soil area.

If you are using a solid surface provision may need to be made for drainage by sitting the raised bed sides approx 10mm above the raised bed surface. This 10mm can be allowed during construction when you are cutting and fixing the garden pegs to the raised bed sides. It is noted that in dry time watering will be needed and for smaller beds more compost should be mixed with the top soil to retain the water better.

If you are using a soil surface it is advised to remove the grass and weeds and dig the surface over to create a natural soil raised bed. 

Firstly the sides are nailed to the pegs. First choose two sides (if the raised bed is rectangular choose the longest side first). Fix the pegs to the sides, locate these at both ends and one in the centre.

The square cut end is positioned flush with the top of the side. Note, the garden pegs can be cut shorter if the ground is hard. However to facilitate easily knocking the pegs into the ground a spade can be used to make a hole or a slot for the pegs to be inserted better. Additonally, do not try and knock the garden pegs in without making a start with a spade, as you may damage the top of the pegs.

Layout one side on the ground and use the spade to make holes for the pegs. Gently knock the pegs into position so that they are at the correct height.

Next layout the ends using a square set to get them positioned at 90 degress. Then make further holes for the other side and knock in the garden pegs to locate the positioning of the other side, while paying attention to the fit of the ends.

Once you have constructed the raised bed and it is level with all the garden pegs and boards in the correct positon, nail to the ends. Once you feel that the raised bed has been nailed together for good stability, it may be filled with top soil.

You may decide to add screws (not provided) to reinforce the nail fixings on the corners of the raised bed.