This afternoon, my daughter and I were able to get the first raised bed cover done! The frame, at least. We worked on the one intended to go over the popcorn first, as it was the most involved.

Here is the finished product!

It is now ready to support whatever cover material we choose for it. The question is whether or not I will be attaching something to it permanently, or if I want to attach something in such a way that we can take it off and attach something different, later.

Considering that this bed will need protection from deer and racoons, something permanent would be most logical. I have enough chicken wire to wrap around the sides, at least, but racoons will tear right through that. I might have to pick up some 1/2 inch hardware cloth. Until then, however, we could probably still put the chicken wire around it temporarily.

As you can see, the cover doesn’t fit exactly over the raised bed. That was expected. The bed itself has become wonky over time. Not only have the sides been bowing out, but some of the boards are warping. One warped board you can see in the photo has bent outwards enough, it actually snapped one of the screws that was holding it to the 2×4 join.

We will have to find a way to lock the cover onto the walls of the bed, too, or it could simply get knocked right off by a determined critter.

I’m pleased with how it turned out. The frame itself is lightweight, but sturdy. It can be carried by one person, though having two people is preferable, if only to lessen the chance of the frame being twisted or dragged.

We cut extra pieces when prepping the boards, and there are enough to make 3 more frames. I will be away tomorrow afternoon with my mother, but my daughter might be able to get it done while I’m out. They will be much easier, since it’s just the basic rectangle, exactly the same as the bottom part of the frame in the photo above. The only difference is that I plan to add eye hooks to the middles inside the long sides and use cord to keep it from bowing out. I’m still debating whether they will need corner braces. That will partly depend on how they hold up to having the fence wire attached permanently to them. I would rather add them after the fence wire is attached, anyhow. It will be easier to add braces with the wire in place, then add the wire with the braces in place. Since I have to go to the hardware store, anyhow, I will try to remember to look at metal corner braces as a possible alternative.

Little by little, it’s getting done!

The Re-Farmer