Make an interlocking Garden Bed Box

Introduction

Standard version (ft and inch)

This is a multipurpose garden bed box.

You can make 1 high garden box, 2 medium height, or 3 lower boxes. Switch and change to suit – all with the same interlocking boards.

This raised garden box is very versatile and practical.
It is easy to assemble, disassemble, and change height, as the pieces slot into one another (interlock) and there is no need for any fasteners.

Overall the footprint (area) is 4ft x 4ft.
The height can be raised or lowered at will just by adding or subtracting the wall boards.

The height adjustable factor can be very useful for growing such vegetables as potatoes which can benefit from adding height in stages as the plants grow.

Metric version

A versatile garden box with many uses and easy to move around – you can make it any height you like.
It would make an ideal potato box where the height of the box can be expanded as the potatoes grow – of course, that is only one of it’s capable uses.

This particular box is 1200 mm square but you can make one any size you like and as high or low as you like.

For this project I used 25mm x 150mm boards (actual size). You can also use a thicker and/or wider board – just make sure you use a wood that will not rot given its use.
Use either a natural decay resistant wood or a treated wood. ACQ treated wood is considered acceptable.
Some treated woods may release harmful chemicals into the soil and into the plants. Your wood supplier should be able to advise you on the best type of wood to use.
If you have any concerns you can always put plastic sheet between the boards and the soil.

As well as this free online version, You can also purchase this plan in downloadable PDF file, print-friendly and in clean copy (free of ads) for only $5.00.  Click here to purchase.
The plans can be purchased online and immediately downloaded to your computer.

Wood size and type

What size wood

I used 1×6 (actual size) boards for this project.
Wider or thicker wood can be used by following the same construction principles.

What type of wood

Use a wood that is decay resistant – i.e. suitable for outside and it’s intended application.
Some natural woods do the trick, but for the most part treated woods seem to be cheaper and more readily available.
Some treated woods have toxic chemicals in them that may get into the soil and possibly the plant life.
Some treated woods can be acceptable. Your local supplier should be able to advise on the right type of wood to use, and if you have any concerns about the treatment you can always place plastic sheet (e.g. polythene) between the boards and the soil.

Construction overview

The making basically involves cutting slots into the edge of the boards at each end. The slots in one board fit into the slots in another board and that holds them together. The more boards added, the higher she goes. Easy stuff and very practical.