Clear an area, 6 inches wider and longer than your new garden box dimensions, of all grass. This should be about 2 – 4 inches of depth. (You can also cheat and scalp the grass with a weed eater, trimming until there is nothing but dirt.)
Make sure the area at the edges where the garden box will rest is relatively on the same plane; make sure there are not any hills or bumps. Your garden box is cut as true to square as is possible, making it difficult to assemble on uneven terrain.
If you choose to use the complimentary natural burlap weed guard, place the burlap in the cleared area, making sure to overlap each of the burlap bags by an inch or so on each side.
Cedar gets its natural rot resistance from the oils it produces. These oils are only present in the red or brown colored portions of the lumber. The white or yellow portions do not contain the natural oil and are more susceptible to rot. When laying out your garden box boards, make sure to place the red or brown sides of the boards on the ground and on the inside of the box where these sides will be in contact with wet soil. Reserve any of the white or yellow sides of the garden box boards for the outside and top of your garden box, keeping them away from wet soil.
Lay the first layer of boards directly on the natural burlap weed guard, interleaving the ends, at 90 degrees for corners and in the same direction if your garden box requires more than one board length on one side.
Layout the entire first tier of boards of the garden box.
Stack the next tier of garden box boards, in the same manner as done in steps 5 and 6, on top of the previously placed tier. (If you purchased a double high, keep going all the way up.)
Align the predrilled holes for all boards.
Viewing the boards from the top, thread one rebar stake per hole, slightly shifting any boards by hand to get the rebar stake through the predrilled holes, all the way to the ground.
Use a hammer or mallet to drive the rebar stakes into the ground and flush with the top of the upper most tier of garden box boards.
If you purchased a double high garden box, now is the time to install the center brace. The brace should be half way down the box and across the 4′ span, screwed in to both sides. REMEMBER this brace is there. A forcefully placed shovel can sheer the brace. This brace is to make sure the wet heavy soil does not bow the garden box. The taller the box, the more wet soil weight is being supported.
Fill your assembled garden box with your selection of soil
Plant your vegetables and flowers
Send us pictures of your install now and in a few weeks when your plants have grown. You can also post your photos to Instagram and tag us @529gardenboxes!
Finally, Thank you and Congratulations! We hope you enjoy your garden for years!
