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How to build an easy raised garden bed for growing tomatoes

Funky Junk Interiors
If you desire a raised garden bed without a big price attached, here's how to build a free planter box using reclaimed wood!
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Tools:

Supplies:
  

  • Cedar wood planks. My boards measure 5" x 46.5" long each x 16
  • 2x4 support pieces. I cut 6 pieces at 10" high.
  • Tung Oil by Fusion Mineral Paint (food safe)
  • Measuring tape
  • Bamboo garden stakes (mine are 4 ft long)
  • String or twine
  • Retractable garden hose
  • Planter box soil
  • 1 2x4 center support. I cut mine at 19" long

Instructions:
 

Raised Garden Bed tutorial - mine is 10" h x 93" long x 19" deep

  • Cut the front, back and side boards to the length you desire for your raised garden bed. I cut 16 pieces - 5" x 46.5" (front and back) - 4 pieces - 5" x 19" (2 sides)
  • Cut 4 or 6 2x4 pieces (side and middle supports) to the height of your raised garden bed.
  • Cut 1 2x4 piece (center support) to the width of your bed. Mine is 19".
  • Place the 2x4s on the ground to the full left and right of your planter box size, and 1 in the middle. Do this for the front and back of the box.
  • Position wood planks onto the 2x4 supports, then attach with screws.
  • Prop the front up, then attach side boards on each side. Then install the back of the planter box to complete your rectangle.
  • Optional: Paint Tung Oil into the inside of the planter box, then remove most off with a cloth and allow to cure overnight. This is a food-safe product which will prolong the life of the wood.
  • Fill up the raised garden bed with bulky natural items such as branches.
  • Top with high quality raised planter garden soil.
  • Plant the tomatoes or other plants, staking if needed.

How I staked the tomatoes (I used 4' bamboo stakes)

  • Form a teepee shape with the stakes on the far left, right and middle of the planter box. Tie the tops with twine.
  • Place bamboo stakes horizontally across the tops, attaching to the teepees with twine.
  • Add a vertical stake at each tomato plant, attached with twine to the horizontal stakes.
  • Keep well watered leaving the leaves dry if possible, and fertilize when needed.
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