8x 4 Raised Garden Beds

The long side of the bed is 8 ft and the short side is 4 ft. Following the design, you will make 4 panels, and then screw them together.

Long panel:

• Top timber is 8 ft 2x4
• Bottom timber is 8 ft 2x6 - note I am intending to add a couple of inches of crushed granite around the base of the beds, which will make the bottom timber appear to be 2x4, giving a balanced appearance. If you want something different please adjust - there is nothing structural in the 2x6 timbers on the bottom
• Sides are 2x4 and 17 in long. There are 3 each panel.

Short panel:

• Top timber is 4 ft 2x4
• Bottom timber is 4 ft 2x6
• Sides are 2x6 and 17 in long. If you dont use 2x6 for the bottom sides of the frame, you still want these to be 2x6 because the way the frames screw together this gives the overall bed a balanced look. There are 2 each panel.

Step 1 - Cut the timber

1. Cut the 10 ft 2x4 into 6 17 in lengths (plus some extra)
2. Cut a 8 ft 2x6 into 4 17 in lengths
3. Cut one 8 ft 2x4 into two 4 ft lengths
4. Cut one 8 ft 2x6 into two 4 ft lengths

Step 2 - Cut the roofing metal

1. Using the tin snips cut one 43 1/2 inch length from one of the metal panels
2. Measure from the other end of the panel and cut another 43 1/2 inch length. Dont measure from the side you just cut. The factory sides have been smoothed down, whereas your cut sides can be razor sharp, so make sure you have one factory edge on each piece.

Step 3 - Assemble the panels

1. Lay out the short frame on the ground. Bottom 4 ft 2x6, top 4ft 2x4, sides 17 in 2x6
2. Use the T-square to make sure the joins are at 90 degrees
3. Place the flat Simpson ties across the join and hammer 3 nails into each side. This will make the frame hang together but it will not have any rigidity until the angle ties are in place.
4. Hammer nails into the angle ties in each inside corner. You can do this while the frame is on the ground, or get someone to hold it vertical for you.
5. With the frame on the ground with the flat Simpson ties facing up, position the 43 1/2 in pieces of roofing metal so they are centered.
6. Screw the metal to to the frame with the self drilling screws, one in each corner, and one in the center of the top and bottom timbers.
7. Assemble the long frame in a similar fashion. Roofing screws in each corner, in the center of top and bottom timbers and the center vertical.

Step 4 - Assemble the garden bed

1. Flatten and level the ground for the bed
2. Position the panels with the end of the long panels abutting the face of the short panels.
3. Fix the short panels to the long panels with 3 timberlok screws. One through the top timber, one in the middle, and one at the bottom. Drill a pilot hole first

Step 5 - Fill with soil

Material

• 3 x sheets - 8'x2' Galvanized metal roofing
• 4 x pressure treated lumber - 2"x6" 8' length
• 3 x pressure treated lumber - 2"x4" 8' length
• 1 x pressure treated lumber - 2"x4" 10' length
• 20 x Simpson Strong-Tie TP 1-13/16 in. x 5 in. 20-Gauge Galvanized Tie Plate
• 24 x Simpson Strong-Tie2 in. x 1-1/2 in. x 2-3/4 in. Galvanized Angle
• 216 x Joist hanger nails 1-1/2 in
• 30 x Self drilling roofing screws 1 in
• 12 x 3/16 in. 6 in. TimberLok Coarse Steel External Hex Drive, Hex Head Heavy-Duty Wood Screws
• 2 cubic yards of garden bed soil

Tools

• Circular saw
• Hammer
• Tin snips
• Electric drill
• If you get the TimberLok screws they come with a driver bit, otherwise you will need a bit for your driver
• 3/16 in drill bit
• T square