Get Your Drill On...

I've been seeing these raised garden beds all over the place, and I absolutely LOVE them. However, I didn't love their prices. So, I got the amazing idea to make them. Me...the girl who thought she was mowing her grass for 3 months only to have a neighbor tell her that she didn't have the blade engaged.

This should be good...but I am a determined chica. So, I watched a video on YouTube and went to Lowe's, and for about $70 I made two 8 x 4 garden beds. It took me an afternoon to make the raised beds that actually turned out and look good!

Below is how you make some for yourself:

You will need:
*12 2 x 4s - cut into 4 foot sections ( you can adjust size of beds to fit your needs and still follow              directions below)
*Four 4 x 4 - cut into 1 foot posts
*2 1/2in outdoor screws
*Drill

Start by measuring and marking for 2 holes in each end of the 2 x 4. You can space them however you like, but make sure you measure consistently on each end and each board.

Once your boards are marked, drill holes at each of your markings. Place one 4 x 4 post under each end of one 2 x 4. Make sure that the post and 2 x 4 are flush on each end. Screw each of your screws into your pre-drilled holes. I screwed in one screw on each side and then repeated for the last two holes on opposite ends. I felt like that ensured the 2 x 4 to be flush with the 4 x 4 post. You will screw in two more 2 x 4 sections to this same 4 x 4 post. This creates one "fence" wall to your raised garden bed. Repeat these steps to 3 other 2 x 4s and the last 2 4 x 4 posts.

Once you have the 2 "fence" sections both adhered to the 4 x 4 posts, line up each section to start forming your box. Then place one 2 x 4 to connect each "fenced" section. Screw in the 2 x 4 to the 4 x 4 posts on each end. Then stack a second 2 x 4 piece on top of the just screwed in 2 x 4 and screw in on both ends. Repeat on both ends of the "fenced" sections to form a box. VIOLA! Your raised garden bed is complete!

Pat yourself on the back and be proud of what you accomplished!

Here are some of the pics from my finished project: