We have tried, rosemary, organe peels, marigolds, the sprays you buy fromHome Depott andLowe’ss. Our last resort will be a shot in the ass with the bee beee gun, but we don’t want to.

How do you keep them out!?
I suppose by the end of the day we will know if the coffee grinds work. I just spread a bunch over two of my beds. If it works I will buy some coffee and let the grinds soak in hot water and start spreading it on the rest!

Try Bloodmeal…they don’t like the smell. It is organic and would benefit your plants as well. Can find it at most any Garden Center..good luck

As to the lengths, its fairly common to find them about 6ft, 8ft, and 10 ft lengths, but they can also be bought in 12 ft, and longer lengths. The longer the length, the more it will cost. (6ft = 182.8 cm, 8ft = 2438.4mm)

The ‘2×4′ designation refers to the original cut dimension of the lumber. It is then planed smooth, and kiln dried, (which shrinks it a bit), so a ‘2×4′ ends up closer to 1.5" x 3.5" ( 38mm x 89mm)

Common lumber sizes here in the USA are:
"1×3" = 19mm x 63.5mm
"1×4" = 19mm x 88.9mm
"1×6" = 19mm x 139.7mm
"2×4" = 38mm x 89mm
"2×6" = 38mm x 139.7mm and so on…. It may be more common for suppliers in your area to round up the numbers, so – 88.9 would be 89mm, and 139.7 might be more often referred to as 140mm

Here is a conversion chart, should you need it – http://www.worldwidemetric.com/metcal.htm

Just remember that the ‘actual’ dimension of width and depth is usually a half inch less than the nominal dimensions. Length, however, is dead on. A 2×4x8 stud is actually 1.5" x 3.5" x 8ft (38mm x 90mm x 2438.4mm)

Check with your local lumber suppliers to see what is available in your area.

Have Fun

thx

I think the main reason people will install raised beds is the fact that it can be difficult or impossible to amend the soil in their particular area, for the type of plants they like to grow.
For example, if someone lives in a part of the country where the soil is very alkaline or sandy and their interest lies in growing rhododendron/azaleas – they can install raised beds and add soil that is humus rich, slightly acidic and have the entire bed filled with the rhododendron they like.
I have also seen raised beds used as “enabling” gardens. For example, they are built up to the average waist and plants are selected strictly by texture and fragrance, so the blind can enjoy them.
Raised beds are also used at homes where a family member who enjoys gardening may be confined to a wheelchair. The beds are built so that someone who is wheelchair bound can reach the soil easily from a sitting position and tend to the garden from both sides.
For those of us who are fortunate enough to be healthy and have the use of all of our senses they can and usually are installed so that rich, friable soil can be added from the beginning and an established garden can be had quickly as apposed to using the local soil and amending it to meet our needs – which can include removing rocks, sticks and other foreign material – adding compost and tilling – to name a few.
A raised bed garden can also highlight a specific area or a collection of plants such as holding a monocot border, vegetable garden, a collection of prized roses – or to plant an area with poor drainage.
It has been proven that raised bed gardens can double the amount of flowers and vegetables grown by the square foot.
So the reasons can be many and endless, yet all are useful in some way.
The soil depth can be as low as six to twelve inches for annuals and perennials with shallow roots or as deep as needed for shrubs and small trees.
The width of the raised bed should not be any wider than can be easily reached and maintained by the person using it and they are fairly easy to install – depending on materials used. One alternative to wood, is plastic stacking joints and maintenance free, recycled plastic lumber.
Regardless of the benefits – they are a neat and attractive addition to a variety of landscapes.

Everything you want can be found at home depot or Lowe’s and in some areas they do deliver. As for cheap — well there is no such critter these days. I want to do the same thing on my side yard and plan to use half sheets of 1/4 inch plywood for the sides ; most plywood come in 8 foot lengths so that should work for you too . I plan to use 2×2’s to anchor the corners and several points in between,pounded into the ground about eight inches. Finished, these will be the same height as the plywood. I will then use a heavy plastic rope to tie around the top of the box to disallow the box from expanding outward when filled with dirt. I plan to line the inside with a heavy black plastic punching some hole into the bottom to allow for drainage. Then I will put a layer of # three gravel in bottom and my soil on top of that.

I looked up all the other options and could find no cheaper way of doing this. As for the bark, sometimes your landscaping companies or local nurseries will have this cheaper than HD or Lowe’s. Just depends on what resources you have nearest you. Having things shipped can get pricey; if you live near any of these companies and can convince a friend with a truck or a local church member with a truck to help out would save you some money.

Good Luck and happy gardening:)