Step 1: Cut Side Pieces of the Garden Box
Cut four (4) Trex boards at a 45-degree angle to be 5 feet long from tip to tip. These will create the two long sides of the garden box.
Next, cut four (4) Trex boards at a 45-degree angle to be 3 feet long from tip to tip. These will create the two short sides of the garden box. The 45-degree angle will allow you to hide the exposed ends of the boards.
If cutting boards at a 45-degree angle is beyond your comfort level, cut the longer pieces to 5 feet and the shorter pieces to 2 feet 10 inches using a straight angle. Note: with this method, the longer pieces will overhang the shorter pieces, and the cut end of the longer pieces will be visible.
Step 2: Cut Deck Boards for the Interior of the Garden Box
First, cut 12 short pieces of the decking to 11 inches long. These pieces will be mounted inside the garden box, and the side pieces cut in Step 1 will attach to them.
Step 3: Build the Corners
Attach two of the 11 inches pieces together to form a corner with the 2 inches composite deck screws that are colour matched to your decking. Repeat this process to form 4 corners.
Predrill with an 1/8 inches drill bit before creating the corner to avoid any splitting caused by drilling this close to the edge of the board.
Step 4: Attach the Long Side Boards
Stand the corner pieces on a flat surface. Place the first long 5 feet piece against the corner piece with the short point of the 45-degree angle at the edge of the corner piece where the two 11 inches pieces meet together. Fasten the 5 feet piece to the corner piece with two 2 inches colour-matched composite deck screws. Repeat this process on the other end of the 5 feet piece.
Place the second 5 feet piece on top of the sides you attached in Step 4 and fasten to the corner pieces with two 2 inches colour-matched screws. Repeat this process on the other side to create two 5 feet long sides.
Step 5: Attach the Short Side Boards
Place the first 3 feet piece against the corner pieces attached to the longer pieces. Fasten two 2 inches colour-matched fasteners through the 3 feet piece and into the corner piece. Repeat this process on both ends and for the top 3 feet long piece. Repeat this process on the other end.
Step 6: Add Supports
Place two 11 inches pieces equal distance apart and fasten them to the 5 feet long pieces with two fasteners per 5 feet board. Repeat this process on both sides. These supports will brace the long pieces so they don't push out.
Step 7: Create Top Surface
If you are purchasing materials for to create your raised garden beds as opposed to using scraps from a previous project, opt for Trex Transcend® Lineage™ deck boards for the top surface of your garden bed to create a cooler surface when gardening these beds.*
Cut your top pieces to the desired length for the overhang you would like.
We recommend installing the top pieces centred on top of the two upright pieces for a clean look.
Cut the two longer sides to 5 feet 3 ½ inches to the long point of a 45-degree angle.
Cut the two shorter pieces to 3 feet 3 ½ inches to the long point of a 45-degree angle.
Fasten these pieces through the top into the side of the upright boards. Fasten every 16 inches with the 2 inches colour-matched composite deck screws.
Pre-drill the holes to avoid splitting the board while fastening into the side of the upright board.
Step 8: Add the Final Touches
Place the raised garden bed where you intend to keep it. Then, line the box with a weed mat material on the bottom and the interior sides of the garden bed. Fill the Trex garden bed with soil and let the gardening begin!
*Although Trex Transcend Lineage is designed to be cooler than most other composite decking products of a similar colour, on a hot sunny day, it will get hot. On hot days, care should be taken to avoid extended contact between exposed skin and the deck surface, especially with young children and those with special needs.