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How to build outdoor raised garden beds?

louise203
Just Starting Out

How to build outdoor raised garden beds?

Hi there, I'm wanting to construct two outdoor raised garden beds (timber and corrugated iron). I'd like to build them similar to the link below with a wooden frame, however the width of the boxes on the website would be too wide for the area I have available. I'm wanting to make them 6x3ft instead of 6x4ft. Would pine be the best wood to use? And what would be the best lengths of timber and corrugated iron to use? I'm a novice so any advice appreciated!How-to-Make-a-Raised-Garden-Bed-25-years.jpgHow-to-Make-a-Raised-Garden-or-Flower-Bed-800x568.jpg

 

https://www.protoolreviews.com/how-to-make-raised-garden-bed/ 

EricL
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Wanting to build outdoor raised garden beds

Hello @louise203 

 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about building a raised garden bed.

 

I suggest having a quick look at this guide - How to build a raised garden bed by @Adam_W. It's an excellent guide and will give you ideas on how to build a raised garden bed 

 

The conversion of 2"x8" is approximately 50.8mm x 203.2mm. The closest to these measurements is the 200 x 50mm Sleeper H4 Sienna MicroPro 2.4m. This timber piece is termite resistant and is suitable for use in vegetable beds and Children’s play areas. To protect the timbers cut ends I suggest spraying it with TWA Woodcare 300g Ecoseal Tanalised Timber Treatment. Please remember to wear personal protections such as appropriate clothing, close toe shoes, gloves, goggles and a P2mask when spraying the cut ends.

 

In regards to screws, I suggest looking at the ZENITH 14G - 8 x 75mm Class 3 Galvanised Bugle Batten Screws - 25 Pack or the Zenith 14G x 75mm Galvanised Hex Head With Seal Type 17 Timber Screws - 25 Pack. As for the pavers, I recommend the Brighton Masonry 300 x 300 x 50mm Charcoal Mypave 335 Paver. My best advice is to draw your plan on paper so that you have a cutting list and an assembly list at the same time.

 

For the corrugated sheet, I suggest Lysaght 1800mm 0.42mm BMT Zincalume Steel Custom Orb Corrugated Steel Cladding. My best advice is to cover the interior of the corrugated iron with thick builder's plastic so that there will be no direct contact with the soil.

 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

 

Eric

 

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Dave-1
Community Megastar

Re: How to build outdoor raised garden beds?

Good Afternoon @louise203 

I cant add much more to @EricL 's instructions :smile: The only thng I would add if you are following your drawings would be a middle vertical support for the long sidewalls, I think it would help add to the life expectancy of the garden bed but taking the interior strain pushing the middle outwards.

 

Dave

Nailbag
Home Improvement Guru

Re: How to build outdoor raised garden beds?

Hi @louise203 

 

again as with @Dave-1 I can't offer much more than the info @EricL provided already.

I would consider any irrigation tubing into the design prior to filling with soil. And if using galvanised sheets then I would line the inside with builders plastic as eventually the sheets will begin to corrode due tom permanent moisture.

 

Regards Nailbag

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