I was recently bit by the gardening 'bug' and so I am now beginning said hobby. To start off, I plan to have a few raised beds to grow the garden in. Gravel paths for easy accessibility, four-foot wide beds so that everything is in reach.When constructing these, I wanted to avoid using any type of metal fastener to tie the ends together because of corrosion. The solution I settled on was really quite simple... A square hole set in from the ends of the long boards, and a matching tab cut on the ends of the short boards. They overhang the width of the cedar 2x2's I used to stake the beds down. It makes an attractive joint, and with the rock along the outside, I have no worries that it will move out of place.
After building a couple and setting them in place, they prove to be very stable. I did not bother with wood like cedar or teak for the sides due to cost. And I have learned that pressure-treated lumber, railroad ties, or using wood sealer, all have potentially negative affects on the surrounding soil, so that was not an option either. However at ~$5.50 for an 8' board, I can inexpensively replace these pine boards after several years if they should rot out.
Before putting the beds in I laid black plastic over the entire area. After staking each bed in place, I cut the plastic our from the inside and covered the ground with a few sheets of cardboard to prevent weed growth, but allow for drainage.
So far, I have 3 of them built. Only 3 more to go!
