Raised bed

It’s easy to create a simple raised bed using H4 tongue and groove timber and Resene Waterborne Woodsman penetrating oil stain.

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Ways with wood with Mark Rayner - Project 04

Difficulty level: Challenging

You will need: H4 treated tongue and groove landscaping timber (three lengths at 3.6m and six lengths at 800mm), approximately 6m of 100mm x 100mm H4 treated fence posts, 100mm galvanised nails, four 120mm stainless steel dynabolts, drill with bits including 10mm masonry drill bit saw, ratchet set, set square, small spade, spirit level, string line, tape measure, hammer, paintbrush and rapidset concrete. Resene Waterborne Woodsman Penetrating Oil Stain tinted to Resene Limed Gum.

To get the look: Mark planted the raised bed with a display of colourful annuals for instant impact.

Other ideas: Try some cooler colours from the Resene Waterborne Woodsman Penetrating Oil Stain such as Resene Pickled Bluewood or Resene Downriver.

Step one
Cut 100mm x 100mm fence posts into six 1m lengths.

Step two
Dig a 500mm hole next to the wall, sink and position one of the lengths of fence post with approx 500mm showing above ground. Secure upright with rapidset concrete (be sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions) and fix to the wall using masonry drill bit and two dynabolts, countersinking approx 30mm, as shown. Repeat with a second fence post approx 3.6m further along the wall.

Step three
Dig a 500mm deep hole 800mm out from the wall at right angles to one of the bolted fence posts. Sink and position another fence post, securing with rapidset concrete. Repeat at the other corner of the raised bed and position the two remaining fence posts in between approx 1.2m apart – use a string line to get them aligned.

Step four
Cut tongue and groove landscaping timber to lengths listed above using set square and saw.

Step five
Attach one of the shorter lengths of landscaping timber to the side of the raised bed, hammering two galvanised nails into each of the fence posts. Attach a longer length to front of the raised bed, as shown. Repeat with the other side – use a spirit level to check the level as you go.