Raised Garden Bed Construction

[Mike Goetzke]

I’m building a raised bed garden similar to the one mid-way down on this page (the one with four corners and center circle):  http://distinctivegardenbeds.com/

I realize this outfit uses special brackets at the corners to make it easy to ship and for any skill leveled person to put together. I have a complete Kreg outfit that includes the construction screw kit. I plan to make our beds with the 4x4 posts and three 2x10’s stacked on top of each other to be tall enough to keep most of the critters out.

My question is do you think two of the hefty construction screws are enough at each of the 2x10 connection points or do I need three?

 

Thanks,

Mike

[Mike Goetzke]

I should have added I'm using 2-1/2" #14 heavy duty Kreg screws.

Mike

[James P. Cottingham]

I would use three screws. Wet soil can weigh a lot and the pressure on the sides can get pretty hefty. When I built our raised beds, I used two screws on the 1 x 6 whiteboards and they lasted several years. I also sprayed the interior with tar. The same type of tar they use on trees after cutting off limbs. The tar outlasted the exterior paint I put on outside.