1. How to build raised garden beds for small space gardening How to build a raised garden bed, which tools, material and skills needed. How much does it cost. A model raised bed will be constructed on site.

2. Building Raised garden beds Which tools Which tools Materials Materials Skills needed Skills needed How much does it cost How much does it cost

3. Tools Measuring tape Measuring tape Electric drill Electric drill Drill bits/Screw tips Drill bits/Screw tips Saw (hand/power) Saw (hand/power) Square (framing or combination) Square (framing or combination) Scissors or Utility knife Scissors or Utility knife Stapler (heavy duty) Stapler (heavy duty)

4. Material Select kiln dried, untreated dimension lumber 2”x 6”, 2”x 8”, 2”x 10”, 2”x 12”

5. Screws vs Nails Use coated 2 ½” Deck Screws

6. Making the Cut Inter-locking Joints make stronger end connections than end-to-edge Butt Joints Inter-locking cut out is 1 ½” x (1/2 the width) Actual lumber sizes - cut 2”x 6” (1 ½”x 5 ½”) – 2 ¾” 2” x 8” (1 ½” x 7 ¼”) – 3 5/8” 2” x 10” (1 ½” x 9 ¼”) – 4 5/8” 2” x 12” (1 ½” x 11 ¼”)-5 5/8”

7. Assembly Pattern Layout lumber in the pattern to be assembled Top, Bottom, Sides

8. Pre-drill pilot holes for deck screws Drill pilot holes ¾” from edge And 1” from the bottom 1” from the top

9. Assemble Raised Garden Beds Attach Inter-locking joints with coated deck screws It will take 16 screws for each raised bed Pictured 11 ½” x 4’ x 8 ‘ 32 square feet 1.11 cubic yards of soil

10. Install Stakes in Corners Drive 1”x 2” stakes into ground, (1) in each corner of raised bed

11. Stack Units to Increase Soil Depth Attach stakes to bed using 1 ½” Coated Deck Screws Install 2 inches of stone in bottom of raised bed Cover stone with landscape fabric or weed mat and attach fabric to inside of bed with staples or tacks

12. How much does it cost? 2”x 12”x 16’ dimension lumber approx. $30.00 ea (2) 2”x 12”x 16’ dimension lumber approx. $30.00 ea (2) 1” x 3” x 24” wood stakes approx. $1.50 ea. (4) 1” x 3” x 24” wood stakes approx. $1.50 ea. (4) Hardware (screws, tacks) approx. $10.00 (1 box) Hardware (screws, tacks) approx. $10.00 (1 box) Landscape fabric approx. $20.00 per roll (50’) (1) Landscape fabric approx. $20.00 per roll (50’) (1) Labor (average 2 hrs per bed) $50.00 per hr Labor (average 2 hrs per bed) $50.00 per hr Total (1) 4’x 8’ x 11 ¼” raised bed $200.00 Total (1) 4’x 8’ x 11 ¼” raised bed $200.00 Soil, stone, additional (varies for bed size) Soil, stone, additional (varies for bed size)

13. Containers of all types and sizes Small Space gardening can been done on patios and other small areas using a variety of containers including: Canvass bags Buckets Clay and Ceramic pots Wooden boxes and many more …..

14. How to build raised garden beds for small space gardening Dennis Chestnut Dennis Chestnut202.506.1391 dennis@groundworkdc.org dennis@groundworkdc.org dennis@groundworkdc.org www.groundworkdc.org www.groundworkdc.org www.groundworkdc.org