How to Build Elevated Gardens

If you dream of a lush garden full of flowers and vegetables but are living with the reality of a yard with poor or even depleted soil, an elevated garden may be the answer. An elevated garden works like a large planter. It allows you to bring in nutrient-rich soil contained within a frame and prevents the dirt in your yard from stealing its nutrients while allowing water to drain well. Locate the garden frames in a level area that receives sunlight during the majority of the day. Build as many elevated garden frames as you have room for, but keep them about 18 inches apart.

Shovel
Wooden stakes
Twine
2 boards, 2-by-12-inch-by-3-foot
2 boards, 2-by-12-inch-by-6 foot
8 right-angle joint brackets
16 screws, 1 3/4-inch
Drill with screw bit
Rectangle of steel mesh, 3-by-6 foot
Rectangle of weed-block cloth, 3-by-6 foot
Mix of soil and compost
Board, 2-by-4

Instructions

- 1
  Dig up and remove any plants or grass from the area where you plan to build your frames.
- 2
  Mark the rectangular outline of the elevated garden, using a system of wooden stakes and twine. Dig a narrow trench about 2 inches deep and 2 inches wide along each side of the area. The frame will fit into these trenches so that it remains stable.
- 3
  Build the rectangular wooden frame from 2-by-12-inch lumber that has not been treated with any chemicals. You will need two pieces 6 feet long and two pieces 3 feet long. Join the boards at each corner with two right-angle joint brackets and screws.
- 4
  Fit the frame around the excavated area, with the bottom 2 inches slipping into the trenches that you made in step 2. Pack the excavated soil into the trenches around the frame; "2-inch" boards are actually only 1 1/2 inches wide, so you'll need to replace some of the soil to embed the frame securely in the soil. Spread the sheet of steel mesh over the ground inside the frame to keep out pests, then cover it with the sheet of weed-block cloth to block weeds and grass from growing.
- 5
  Fill the elevated garden with a mix of soil and organic compost that is appropriate for the type of items you plan to grow. Spread the soil evenly inside the frame, using a shovel, and then level the top with a 2-by-4 board. Add extras such as irrigation or a greenhouse cover, depending on your level of commitment and expertise, and plant your elevated garden.

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