How to build a garden box?

[Sarain]

I want to have a large wood garden container in my back yard and am wondering if anyone knows where I can find instructions to build one? By large I mean 5 foot by 5 foot or more.
Thanks.

[gin3]

google square foot gardening he recommends 4x4 so it's easier to reach the middle from both sides. I'm doing a 4x12 this year for my first ever garden.

[Revvell]

Might be something in this thread for you to look at:

http://rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=58289

Can also Google GardenGirl and GrowGirl.

[DebB]

That's good advice about keeping it to 4' wide. That's what ours are and I wouldn't want them wider - that's a very nice width. *Ü*

[Sarain]

Thanks, that makes sense to have it 4x4. I will get my partner to look at the sites suggested so he can get busy building me a garden!

[Revvell]

You can actually do 8x4, or 6x4. Doesn't have to be square.

[DebB]

Ours are 6' long (and 4' wide). My husband went with the spare lumber that we had from tearing down a deck. He used some old (and I do mean old) plywood and fashioned a 3 bay compost bin too! All out of scrap wood. *Ü*

[GoneGreen]

Hi Sarain,

When you are building your boxes, especially if vegetables will be grown in them, be sure not to use any wood that has been pressure-treated or treated with an chemicals. The chemicals will leach into the soil and affect your plants.

When I built mine, I went to a local sawmill and bought wood that was freshly cut - no preservatives or treatment.

You can build them using 2x8 boards - this is sufficient depth for most gardens, including root vegetables. You could also use 4x4's, which are stronger (just remember to not get anything that i pressure-treated).

Buy some good organic soil to fill the boxes with, along with some manure, and, of course, with any compost you are no doubt producing.

Oh, and agree with the rest that the boxes should be no more than 4 feet wide.

Hope that helps,

Mark

[big foot marty]

I get coffee grounds from local roaster/coffee shop.

They are an amazing add , especially if put in during the fall and will have the winter to break down. I mix with manure and grass and chopped leaves.

I set layers of grass. leaves, coffee grounds and also have a big double composter with veggie scraps and leaves, grass making great compost to add to the garden.

I laos use a lot of vermiculite or perlite to add lightness to the soil and peat moss or Coir and medium grade sand.

[T-Bird]

get 2x12xwhatever

Form the bed with the board i your desired shape.

Use 4" screws, and put 3 to a joint.

My bed is on it's 3/4th year.....

[DebB]

The only time we're 3 to a joint is if our youngest son's over... :P

[MysticTree]

The only time we're 3 to a joint is if our youngest son's over... :P

rofl

[T-Bird]

Where's the raw police when you need them?!?!?!

[DebB]

Haha ~ I'm glad you all know I'm just jokin' :)