Skip to main content

How to build a Magnolia Market-inspired raised garden bed

Below is an updated design that we will be using for our community garden after much discussion.
It was inspired by the photo below from Magnolia Market's Instagram. Kudos to Chip and Joanna Gaines for giving us the idea. These beds are more expensive to build than the ones we originally considered, but we love the look.
We have decided to go with 3.5' by 10' beds because these proportions work best for our space. The beds will be built out of 2x8 lumber with posts and railings made out of 2x4s.

Materials list:
  • 2 in. x 8 in. x 16 ft. untreated lumber for sides - 4 boards
  • 2 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. studs for posts and railings - 7 boards
  • #9 2-1/2 in. wood screws
  • 1/2 in. 19-Gauge Steel Hardware Cloth
  • staples for securing the steel mesh
  • linseed oil for weatherproofing the wood

Parts for walls and supports:


Cut 2x8s to make 4 10-foot pieces and 4 42-inch pieces.
Cut 3 2x4s to make 12 2-foot pieces

Assemble the bed:

1. Assemble two frames. If the boards have any wording or unwanted markings, be sure they are facing inside the frame. You may wish to pre-drill the long boards to ensure that they don't split when you drive in the screws.
2. Attach corner posts with screws from inside the frames. Again, you may wish to pre-drill the frames to prevent wood from splitting.
3. Now mark location for the side posts by measuring 35 inches from corner posts, and attach side posts with screws from inside the frame.
4. Cut and attach mole mesh with staples, and flip the bed over to install the bench trim.
5. Cut pieces for the frame from remaining 2x4s. You will need two 48-1/2-inch boards, two 42-inch boards, and two 81-1/2-inch boards. If you have a miter saw, you may wish to do the 45-degree cuts rather than chopping the boards to length first and cutting the corners later.
6. Assemble the frame. The frame should overhang the inside walls and the outside posts by 1/4-inch. You may wish to use wood glue for the corners and drive a screw from the side to secure the joints. Attach the frame to the bed sides and supports with screws from the top.
7. Coat the bed with boiled linseed oil to weatherproof it, and install it by digging 10-inch holes for each of the posts. The posts only stick out 9-1/2 inches, but it is easier to start with deeper holes and fill them as you level the bed.

You will need 1.5 cubic yards of compost/garden soil to fill the bed.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Garden Update - June 20

Our garden is doing well. I have neglected the blog for a bit, so this post is to catch up and show where we are. I will do a flashback later to show how we built and installed the beds, chose soil, and what we are doing for water. We have five garden beds, one per family. Initially ten families were interested, but the cost, logistical issues and personal commitments decreased the number. We are still working on adding the bench trim, but all beds have been planted, and things are growing well. So far only Rich's bed is complete with trim, and the trim really makes a difference in how well it looks. His tomatoes and peppers look great, too. Rich's 4th of July tomatoes Rich's peppers Our tomatoes are already extending over the cage. Our cherry tomatoes. Our Lipstick peppers. Our arugula is delicious. We have been harvesting it for several weeks now for salads, and it is wonderful. Our kale is growing. It was really weak wh
Post a Comment
Read more

Turnberry - Community Garden

Dear Turnberry Owners: We are excited to announce that Turnberry will be adding a community garden on the northeast corner of our property. A community garden would benefit Turnberry community in many ways. It would reduce our landscaping costs, add a source of income for the Association, promote greater community engagement among Turnberry residents, increase our sense of community ownership and stewardship, enhance condo living experience by providing a benefit not ordinarily available to condo owners, promote wellness and healthy living through improved diet and exercise, and increase our property values by making Turnberry a more desirable place to live. Please let Jean know if you are interested in helping with the planning, design, and set-up of the garden, or if you would like to sign up for a plot. We will be contacting those interested next week. Thank you, Dmitriy
Post a Comment
Read more