Treated Wood

• The treated materials can vary in size, but for the most part, you should use 2-by-8s or 2-by-10s for the project. Choose straight boards from your local hardware store, and ask the yard clerk to help you choose treated lumber that is certified for ground contact; not all treated lumber is suitable for ground contact. Purchase galvanized 3-inch wood screws for your project, and exterior decking stain for coloring your boards. You may also need landscaping fabric, landscaping nails and L brackets for securing the beds.
  
  Choose a design for your raised beds. You can have any design you like, such as octagonal, rectangular, square, double stacked or even triple stacked beds. level off the ground onto which the bed will lie. Square your cuts with a speed square, and cut the lumber with a circular saw or compound miter saw. Either will suffice, but the miter saw will be easier to use. Attach the boards using the 3-inch screws, then secure them to the ground with the landscaping nails. You can do this by drilling an angled hole through the side and driving the nail through and into the ground.Add landscaping fabric into the bottom of the raised bed, Fill with soil, and repeat the design on top of the soil if you want a multilayered bed. Apply exterior stain using a brush or spray applicator. As an alternative to stain, paint the raised beds with exterior primer and paint. You may also add designs and decorations as you choose, or to save money, spray the wood with an exterior sealer. The wood will eventually turn gray from sun exposure.
  
  

Stone

• Most everyone has some stones in their yard. If you have enough, you may use stones as a means to build a raised flower bed. The stones should be at least 12 inches in girth and as long or short as you choose. Align the stones in a single stack, and place them as close to each other as possible. Once you have filled in the center of this raised stone bed, it will interlock and remain stable for the duration of the flower bed.