Permanent Raised Bed Gardening: Corrugated Sheet Metal Beds - Bed Assembly

Next, drop a 5/8-inch by 36-inch sucker rod stake into each hole, and with the help of a sledgehammer, drive the stakes flush with the top of the boards. To lock the frame in place, use 1 5/8-inch wood screws to fasten 1-inch by 2-inch wood lath to the top of the wood frame. Space the screws one foot apart.

You can now remove the string line and the concrete blocks and shims from beneath the frame section.

Move to the other side of the bed and repeat process. Remember to place the 2-inch by 4-inch boards in the same sequence and orientation as the previous group and locate them on the inside of the line towards the bed interior.

Once you've completed construction of the side frame sections, install the sheet metal lining.

Start by using a chalk line to mark a line on the inner surfaces of both frame sections 1 3/4-inches below the top of the frame. Use a carpenter's square to mark a vertical line on the inner surface of both frame sections 1 1/2-inches from each end.

Attach metal liner making sure the top edge is sloped towards the frame.

You will need two 12-foot long pieces and one 9-foot piece of sheet metal for each side. It doesn't matter in what sequence you install the pieces. The pieces are purposely oversized so they will overlap each other. Plan on overlapping the pieces about 20 inches.

Align the top of the sheets with the chalk mark and remember to recess the sheet metal 1 1/2-inches from each end of the side frame sections. Be sure to orient the sheets with the top edge sloping towards the frame. This will eliminate any gap between the metal and the frame, making it more difficult to cut your hands on the metal liner when working in the beds.

Attach the sheet metal to the frame using 1-inch self-piercing metal-to-wood screws. Space the screws 1 foot apart and 3/4 inches from the top edge of the metal.