How to build a raised garden bed for privacy

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Difficulty: Intermediate

Add privacy and hide unsightly views by growing plants in a raised garden bed. The elevated bed shortens the time taken for plants to reach your desired height, making it a functional and stylish feature in your outdoor area.

Here is a guide on how to build a raised garden bed for privacy. You can use the provided measurements or adjust them to suit your space and needs.

As this project involves power tools, please follow all safety guidelines provided by manufacturers and use the recommended protective gear, including safety glasses and gloves. 

Those looking for an easier project should visit How to build a simple raised garden bed. 

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Steps

Step 1

Mark out the raised garden bed.

Determine the exact location and size of your bed.

Ensure the ground is level and then use marker paint to mark the space where you want your bed.

Use pegs to mark where you want to place steel corner and joiner posts to support your bed. These marks will indicate where to dig the post holes.

The amount of joiner posts needed will depend on the overall length of your bed.

My bed is 6m long. I am using 3m long sleepers cut into 1.5m lengths for the back and front of the bed. I am securing them using six joiner posts in total. For the sides, I am using 1m lengths, so I won't need any joiners. 

    

Step 2

Dig post holes.

Use a spade to dig holes for the joiner and corner posts at the marked points. Make sure the depth of the holes is at least one-third of the above-ground height of the posts.

I dug 10 post holes in total for my garden bed.

Joiner and corner posts are available in several sizes to suit different bed heights.

  

Step 3

Cut the treated Pine sleepers.

Measure and mark the sleepers according to your required measurements using a square. Remember to factor in the corner posts in your measurements. 

Now use a circular saw to cut your sleepers to size for the back, front, and side panels. 

I am using 14 3m sleepers in total. I cut 12 of these into 1.5m lengths for the front and back of the bed and the remaining two sleepers into 1m lengths for the sides. 

      

Step 4

Position the posts and the sleepers in place.

Insert the joiner and corner posts into the holes. Make sure the corner posts are facing the right way according to the shape of your bed.

Slide all the sleepers into the steel posts. The front and back joiner posts should be spaced 1.5m apart.

        

Step 5

Secure the sleepers to the posts.

Use a spirit level to check that all your posts and sleepers are level. Adjust accordingly if needed.

Hammer in the tops of the posts until they are aligned with the top sleepers.

Now use an impact driver to attach the sleepers to the posts. You can use the 5/16 nutsetter to drive in the Tek screws. 

    

Step 6

Pour the concrete.

Prepare the concrete by following instructions on the product label. I used a wheelbarrow when mixing my concrete.

Pour the concrete around the posts to prevent prevent future movement. Leave the concrete to dry completely before backfilling with dirt.

   

Step 7

Attach the corflute.

Measure sheets of corflute to line the inside of your garden bed. The corflute will help keep soil and water from leaking between the sleepers.

Now use a trimming knife to cut the corflute to size. Attach the corflute to the inner walls of the bed using a staple gun.

  

Step 8

Fill the raised garden bed.

Line the bottom of the garden bed with cardboard or weed mat to prevent grass or weeds growing through.

Throw in any twigs, leaves, or organic material available.

Now fill the bed with quality garden soil. Once it is filled, level the soil using a rake.

Refer to the guide How to fill a raised garden bed for more tips.

    

Step 9

Choose your preferred plants.

For advice on which plants to grow, check out the guide How to choose a hedging plant.

Once you have chosen your plants, dig evenly spaced holes in your garden beds. Then insert your plants in the holes.

Top the soil with a layer of quality mulch to prevent weeds and improve water retention. Water the plants well.

You have now successfully built a raised garden bed that provides privacy.

   

Materials

• Tent pegs
• Marker paint
• 14 treated Pine sleepers, like 200 x 50mm 3m Treated Pine Sleeper H4
• Four corner posts, like Ridgi 50 x 50 x 3mm 1.2m Galvanised Steel Corner Post Upright Sleeper
• Six joiner posts, like Ridgi 50 x 50 x 3mm 1.2m Galvanised Steel H Joiner Post Upright Sleeper
• 50mm Tek screws
• Concrete
• Corflute
• Cardboard or weed mat
• Soil
• Mulch
• Plants.

Tools

• Tape measure
• Spade
• Hammer
• Circular saw
• Impact driver
• Staple gun
• Spirit level
• 5/16 nutsetter, like Irwin Impact Pro Performance 65mm 5/16 Nutsetter Bulk
• Square
• Trimming knife, like Stanley Retractable Trimming Knife
• Garden rake
• Personal protective equipment, like gloves and safety glasses.

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