Summer gardens are getting under way and I will be the first to admit that I have tried, unsuccessfully, for 15 years to grow a tomato, just a simple tomato in my garden in Destin. In Kelly Plantation there is a community garden made entirely of raised boxes and things planted there seem to be thriving. I’m mesmerized by these interesting boxes and turn to Tom Minerva to help me understand how to accomplish the job of building one of these.
Tom is a great “do-it-yourself guy” and his wife, Joann, is a great cook so what could be better than a garden located at the end of the block. Tom says, “We started gardening with in-ground, fenced plots but weeding and maintenance became very difficult. By turning our attention to these 4 x 8 raised boxes, plant production went up and weeding took no time at all.” This keeps ground chewing insects at bay and I’ll bet there hasn’t been a rabbit munching through the raised garden box yet.
It took Tom more than an hour to explain to me how to construct one of these boxes so let me say right up front, this will take a fair amount of carpenter skills, tools, plus an investment of about $350 for each box. Don’t forget you will need to give several afternoons of banging, cutting and probably a bit of cussin’.
If the sun gets hot and the going gets tough have several cool Lynchburg Lemonades and instantly this project will become less stressful.
If you don’t have a circular saw, Home Depot will cut items for you.
Basically as I understand it, you will start with four 38” high corner post cut from two 8-foot, 4 x 4 pressure treated posts. Second step you will take 2 x 4s and run a bottom brace 10” from the ground to the outside of each post to create a 4-foot x 8-foot rectangle form. This is followed by top braces placed on the outside of the 4x4 posts, squared and nailed down.
To reinforce the bottom of this frame, run two 2x4s (using two joist hangers) the length of the box with a 10” high 4 x 4 under the middle of each for support (secure with 2x4 Simpson strong tie model rtr). Use four 2 x 4s across the width keeping it all level with the top of the bottom brace so floor will be level. Now you are ready for the flooring of the box which is laid with the 51” pressure treated pine fence boards laid horizontal to the ground and tightly pushed together.
Another bracer is now placed on the outside, like in step No. 2, right above the horizontal fence boards which you will use as a nailer for the vertical boards that go all the way around the entire inside of the box. Nail or staple in all the vertical boards. Before the box gets any heavier, place a 12 x 12 paver under each corner post to keep the box from sinking into the ground.
Hardest part is now over; just keep thinking about all the fantastic vegetables and herbs you will be growing. To finish up this project, you will need to purchase weed block cloth to line the bed. Remember to pull the cloth up the sides at least 20” and secure with 3/8” Monel staples, rustproof. For a finishing touch along the top of the weed block, use lathe strips to hold in place. Chose 48-cubic feet of your favorite garden soil mixture to create an 18” soil depth.
This much soil creates pressure pushing outward and Tom recommends two final braces across the width of the box, equal distance apart using 2x4 joist hangers. If you have an irrigation watering system available, you can use the micro sprinklers attached around the inside perimeter of the box 2 - 3” down from the top of the box.
If you make this box let me know and we’ll come take some pictures. I was told that the pressure treated wood of years ago contained arsenic. Fortunately, that has changed and the newly pressure treated pine boards are not harmful to use in growing food.
Laura Hall is a long time Destin resident. She explores area gardens and other local topics sometimes with her cavalier spaniel Annnie in tow. If you have a good topic, contact Laura at llhall4386@gmail.com.
LIST OF MATERIALS FOR BUILDING RAISED GARDEN BOXES
Two 8-foot 4x4 pressure treated post — cut four at 38 inches for corner post with four left at 10 inches for bracing across the width of middle bottom reinforcer.
Sixteen 8-foot pressure treated 2 x 4s (8 whole for side braces, six cut in half for end braces) — one as a spare for upper box brace, cut to required length, one as lower reinforcer (cut in half)
Twenty-five 8-foot pressure-treated pine fence boards. Cut 17 at 51inches and left over pieces in half - cut remaining pieces into 24-inch lengths. Cut the seven remaining boards 23 1/2 inches. Vertical boards will be of different heights so you can use all the material.
Three 8 ft lathe strips, pressure treated pine — two whole strips used the length of box and one in half, 48-inch for each end.
Eight 12 x 12 pavers
Four 2x4 Simpson strong tie model rtr. These are used to tie the 2x4 to the 10” tall, 4x4 foot braces.
Eight 2x4 joist hangers
Weed block cloth to line the bed - will probably have to buy the entire roll.
Staples for weed block. Tom recommends Monel staples, rustproof, 3/8 inch
Nails, 16 penny galvanized 1-2 pounds (optional 3-inch deck screws)
Nails, eight penny galvanized 1-2 lbs (optional 1 ½-inch deck screws)
48-cubic-feet of soil, your choice of good garden mix.