Raised Beds on the Cheap

This winter I tried to come up with the least expensive way of making raised beds. My solution was to use 6' cedar boards held in place with 1/2" EMT (electrical conduit). This stuff is durable, cheap and strong. I flatten the ends of a 20" piece, then bend them over to form a sort of hook. A 10 foot stick of EMT costs about $2.00 (I paid $1.56 as Lowes on 2-27-2010). Ten feet is enough to make 6 stakes, and each bed requires 8. It can be flattened in a vise and cut with a hacksaw (its easier if you know someone with a Grizzly G0646 50 Ton Ironworker). I made 9 raised beds this way. With the cedar boards running about 2 bucks a piece, you can make a 3 x 6 foot bed for under $10.

The community garden where we grow requires that each plot must be cleared off completely each November, so the beds are designed to be easy to disassemble and carry.

Here is an example of the stakes (8 per bed):



One end is flattened and bent into a J-Hook...


The other end is cut off at an angle:


The stakes are driven into the ground to hold the fence board in place...



I space them about 15" from the ends on the long side and 8" from the ends on the short sides.


Repeat until finished...