Roll roofing makes an effective liner for plastic mesh beds.

Hardware required Item Quantity   3/8-inch by 18-inch* rebar   One for every 18 inches of border   5/8-inch by 30-inch* rebar   Four per bed   *May vary, depending on soil type Tools required   Chop saw for preparing stakes   Sledge hammer   Hand winch   Wire sling   Shovel   Garden rake   Carpenter's level   Tape measure   Safety glasses

Using the appropriate perimeter stake line, mark off the corners of one end of each bed by driving 5/8-inch rebar stakes into the ground next to the string. Using our example of 40-inch beds on 5-foot centers, the stakes should be positioned at zero, 40, 60, 100, 120, 160, 180, 220 inches and so on along the length of the string, depending on the number of beds to be constructed.

If the plot is level, stakes may be driven flush with the string, 6 inches above grade. If the plot is sloped perpendicular to the long axis of the beds, only the first corner stake of each bed (0, 60, 120, etc.) should be driven flush with the line and a carpenter's level used to level the second corner stake with the first. Orienting the stakes at a slight angle leaning away from the bed will help minimize their movement when the rubber boards are stretched.

Mark off the corners on the other end of the beds using the same procedure described previously, with one exception: don't drive stakes to their final elevation. Rather, drive them into the ground only a few inches, as they will need to be pulled up and attached to the material prior to their permanent placement. Remove the perimeter stake lines as they will be in the way when installing the plastic strips.

Next, attach one end of the plastic strips to the permanent 5/8-inch stakes by looping the material over the stakes.