DIY Raised Cedar Garden Beds

What is it about fresh homegrown produce that's so good? I love that it's so easily accessible too, I mean what's easier than walking outside to you own back patio for a fresh vegetable? I think I am most looking forward to some juicy tomatoes and strawberries <3

A few months ago I asked Alan to help me make some raised garden beds for our back patio area. It was my birthday present to myself haha.

I didn't want a full-blown garden, ain't nobody got time for that! so these boxes were the perfect thing.

The first thing that we did was get online and watch a few different how-to tutorials, there are a ton of them, so just pick the design you like and go with it. Then I made a list of things we needed and we ran to Lowe's for the materials.

We bought some 6-foot cedar planks, 1x2's, 1x4's, 2x4's, and some screws.

First, we made a bottom frame, and screwed some planks to the bottom, making sure to leave gaps for drainage.

Then we made supports for the inside and screwed the planks to the outside. We also covered the legs so they looked the same as the rest of the bed.

Thank goodness for power tools! This bad boy did all of the cutting.

 The first one is done and in its place, I love it! Now we just repeated the same steps and built another one. BTW: The second one got done twice as fast as the first one. It always works like that after you figure out all the problems and work the kinks out. 

The next part was sealing the inside with some clear poly urathane. Lots of people suggested doing this so your boxes have a nice water barrier and so they will last even longer. I let it fully dry (24 hours) before moving onto the next step.

 Next, I lined the interior with landscaping material and then filled it with some bark and lots of soil. Soil = most expensive part of the whole project!

We had to run back to Lowe's and get a few more cedar planks to finish the top. I wanted it to look finished with picture frame corners. Pre-drill, and then screw. Repeat. Thank goodness I have such a handy hubby.

 Finally the fun part, planting! I bought some ever-bearing strawberries and well as some June-bearing ones. They even had a few berries already growing on them when I planted them!

A couple of months later...

Now I have my tomatoes, asparagus, cilantro, green beans, and peas all planted. I just need a couple of tomato cages and Ill be all set.

 My first little harvest of sugar snap peas! I immediately shelled them and made up some creamed peas and red potatoes for lunch <3

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you have a sweet and bountiful day :)