- 1). Arrange four cedar timbers over the desired site in a rectangle. Butt the end of each cedar timber against the side of the other forming square corners.
- 2). Spreading powdered chalk along the two long edges of each timber on the ground creates an outline. Set the four timbers aside the outline.
- 3). Roll the turf within the powdered outline. Dig a 4- to 6-inch trench with a shovel within the timbers' outlines. Tamping the trench's base firms the soil.
- 4). Pour 1 to 2 inches of crushed gravel over the trench. Level the gravel with a length of scrap lumber. Insert a 1/2-inch bit in the drill and drill holes every 24 inches along the four base cedar timbers.
- 5). Lay the four base timbers over the gravel in the trench with the pilot holes pointing upward.
- 6). Hammer rebar into each pilot hole securing the cedar timber to the soil. Lay another course of cedar timbers counterclockwise over the base course so their corners overlap in the direction opposite to the ones below.
- 7). Drive two timber screws through each corner of the top course penetrating the cedar timber underneath. Drilling a screw through the center adds stability.
- 8). Lay the third cedar timber course clockwise over the course below. Repeat the process of driving two screws through the corners and one through the middle joining this course to the one directly below.
- 9). Pouring 2 inches of gravel into the base of the cedar raised bed assists drainage. Smooth the gravel with a hoe before adding quality topsoil to filing it to 3 inches below the edge. Rake the soil to smooth it out before adding plants to it.
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