- 1). Choose a site for the bed that receives adequate exposure to sun and water. Five to eight hours of full sun is ideal, beds facing north to south will get the full benefits of available daily sunlight.
- 2). Find a convenient spot inside the section determined to have good growing conditions to ensure that plants receive the appropriate care and attention they require. Avoid areas that stand directly above root systems of large trees to prevent an unwanted root invasion from these larger and stronger plants.
- 3). Saw the 4-by-4 down to make four 16-inch posts that will go on the corners of the bed.
- 4). Take out two of the 2-by-6 planks and cut them in half.
- 5). Lay one 4-by-2-by-6 on its thinner side. Attach a 16-inch post to each end using two 3½-inch screws. Repeat using another 2-by-6 plank.
- 6). Place one of the 2-by-6 boards that you were just working with against an 8-foot plank and attach them together with two screws.
- 7). Screw together another 8-foot board to the remaining side of this 2-by-6.
- 8). Attach the secondary layer of 2-by-6 boards so that they sit on top of the initial layer and screw them together and then to the corner posts to keep everything secure. Add the second layer of 8-foot boards in the same manner.
- 9). Flip the bed over so that it sits with the correct side facing up. Mark the points where the corner posts sit on the ground with a trowel.
- 10
Move the bed to the side and dig 5 inches down at the marked points. - 11
Replace the bed to where it originally stood so that the posts fall into the holes. Pour soil into the areas surrounding the posts. - 12
Rake the soil to make sure it's level, then lay down hardware cloth to keep out invasive rodents. - 13
Fill the frame with quality soil and add compost. Avoid using heavy native garden soil to ensure proper drainage.
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