The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.    
     
Permanent Raised Bed Gardening: Plastic Mesh Beds - Bed Assembly
 
 
     
Use hand winch
Use a hand winch to stretch the mesh before driving the stakes into place.

Pull one of the strips of material across the plot and attach the free end to a hand winch by means of the 8-inch piece of 3/8-inch rebar and a wire sling. Applying tension to the material using the winch will ensure a nice, tight, straight border. With tension applied, make sure the strip of material rests against the temporary 5/8-inch rebar stake.

If this is done properly, the material should be standing on edge.

While under tension, remove the temporary 5/8-inch end stake, place through the loop and drive into the ground. Anchor the material to the ground using 3/8-inch stakes positioned every 18 inches. Be sure to weave the rod through the material prior to driving them into the ground. Drive the stakes to within 3 inches of the top of the material (9 inches above ground level) and stop. Care should be taken not to stretch the material too tight, as it could rip when the support stakes are woven through the mesh.

Replace the perimeter stake lines. String a line across the perimeter stake lines parallel with the strip of material. Finish driving 3/8-inch stakes to their final positions. Use the string as a gauge to ensure all the stakes are set at the proper elevation.

Secure the mesh
Secure the mesh to the ground with 3/8-inch rebar stakes.

You have now completed a plastic mesh border. Remove the winch and repeat the procedure for other borders.

Next, line the inside surface of each border with strips of the roll roofing material. To hold the liner in place prior to filling the bed, place a shovel scoop of soil against the liner every couple of feet.

Finish construction by placing end pieces on the beds. You can fabricate end pieces out of the mesh fencing, treated lumber or, better yet, pieces of tire tread (see section on recycled auto tire bed assembly).

You are now ready to fill the beds!


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