# What Can I Use to Connect Cedar Boards for Raised Bed Gardening?
Cedar lumber is an excellent material for the construction of raised garden beds due to its natural decay-resistant characteristic. What you choose to fasten the boards with is equally as important to their longevity and appearance.
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Materials
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The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association advises using nails or screws made of stainless steel, aluminum or hot-dipped galvanized steel that resist corrosion. Electroplated steel and copper fasteners are not recommended, as they will deteriorate over time and leave unattractive stains. Choose a nail or screw length to allow at least 1½ inches penetration into the piece being joined. Ringed or spiral nails and screws hold better than smooth nails.
Precaution
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Drive nails in an alternating pattern, not a straight row, and blunt the points first to avoid splitting the wood. Drilling a pilot hole of a smaller diameter than the screw also helps prevent splitting.
Add Strength and Height
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Reinforce joints by driving fasteners through the boards into a wood block placed in the corners, or attach galvanized metal corner-braces. Join layers of boards with galvanized metal joining-plates or fasten boards vertically across layers to make taller beds.
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