How to Build Garden Beds With Plywood

Raised bed gardens are an excellent option for those with limited space in which to grow vegetables and flowers. They can be built to virtually any size and shape using a variety of materials and because they are not anchored to a specific location, raised beds can be more versatile than the conventional in-ground garden. Seeds can be started indoors and then moved outside without the need for transplanting and the beds themselves can be used year after year if properly maintained.

1 sheets of outdoor or marine grade 5-ply plywood, 4 feet by 8 feet

2-inch by 2-inch pine board, 6 feet

Table saw or electric circular saw

Electric drill

Various drill bits

#6 drywall screws, 25

Eye protection

Potting soil

Bark Mulch

Pencil

Tape Measure

Pipe or band clamps

"C" clamps

Sandpaper

Plastic sheeting

Scissors

With your tape measure and pencil, measure and draw two rectangles, 4 feet by 1.5 feet, on the face of your plywood sheet (because plywood comes in sheets of 4 feet by 8 feet, you can simply measure two 1.5 foot strips horizontally along the width). Cut out both rectangles using your table saw or electric circular saw. Sand any rough edges with sandpaper.

Use your tape measure and pencil to draw two more rectangles onto the face of your plywood sheet, 23 inches feet by 18 inches in size. Cut out both rectangles with your electric circular saw or table saw and sand the edges.

On the remaining piece of plywood, measure and draw the 4 foot by 2 foot rectangle, which will form the bottom of your garden bed. Cut out this piece with your table saw or circular saw.

Measure and cut your 2-inch by 2-inch board into 4 sections, 14 inches long to act as corner supports.

Place the 4 foot by 2 foot base of your garden bed on a flat, level surface. Next, stand the two 23 inch long pieces on their edges on opposite ends of the base so they are flush with the edges of the base. There will be a 1/2 inch gap on either side of these pieces, so center them to allow space for the other side pieces.

Stand your 4-foot long side pieces up along the 4 foot edge of the base. They should sit on the outside of the shorter side pieces like the sides of a ladder. Attach your pipe clamps or band clamps to the outside of the garden bed while you secure the pieces in place.

Place a 14-inch section of 2-inch by 2-inch pine on the inside of one of your box corners so the sides line up with the inside edges on the plywood. Clamp the piece in place

Put a 3/32 inch drill bit in your electric drill and bore two holes through the face of the 4-foot side piece, spaced evenly apart along the vertical axis, 1 inch from the edge so that both holes go all the way through the board and into the support piece clamped on the inside. Drill a #6 drywall screw through both pilot holes, securing the piece.

Repeat this process on the other side piece that forms the corner, drilling two pilot holes (be careful not to drill them along the same lines as the first two so that your drywall screws don't collide) and securing the the side piece to the support piece inside.

Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 for the remaining three corners, forming a solid frame for your garden bed. Remove your clamps.

Gently lift your garden box frame off of its base. Turn it over so that the top side is now pointed down and place it carefully on a level surface. Now turn the base over and place it on top of the garden bed so that the entire assembly is upside-down. Line up the edges of the bottom until they are flush with the side pieces.

Drill pilot holes through each of the four corners and into the bottoms of the corner support pieces. Secure the bottom to the four corners with drywall screws.

Drill pilot holes every 6 inches around the perimeter of the base, about 1/4 of an inch from the edge. Secure the bottom in place with screws, being careful not to split the plywood side pieces (you may wish to use thin finishing nails or small screws to avoid splitting).

Turn your completed garden bed over. Using your scissors, cut a piece of plastic sheeting roughly large enough to cover the entire inside. Place your garden bed in an area with access to sunlight. Lay the sheeting down and add your potting soil mix on top of it. Fill the box to within a few inches of the top edge and then trim off any excess plastic. Plant your seeds or starter plants several inches apart and then add a thin layer of bark mulch on top.

Place your garden bed in its final location before adding soil. It will be too heavy to move after this point.

You can build garden boxes to virtually any size to fit your needs. Just make sure the box is deep enough for the plants' root systems and large enough to allow for even spacing.

Always wear eye protection and take all necessary safety precautions to prevent injury and death when working with table saws and electric circular saws.