- Six 8' 2x6's (or at least 48 board-feet)
- One 8' 2x4
- 1 box 4" screws
- 1 box 2 1/2 screws
- Water proof stain + brush
- (optional) chicken wire to cover 3'x5'
- Six 60" 2x6 for the sides
- Six 36" 2x6 for the ends
- Four 15.5" 2x4
- Circular or Mitre saw
- Drill + small-ish drill bit
- Impact driver
- Clamps (optional? but very recommended)
- Saw horses or Table (optional? too, but helpful if you're clamping things. Doing this all on the ground will hurt your back.)
- Level (the bigger the better)
Assemble as 3 separate frames, using two 4" screws to attach each end (36" 2x6) to 2 sides (60" 2x6). Use the drill + bit to make pilot holes for the 4" screws to attach the ends and sides, it makes driving them easier with less movement. Screws enter the end first, then the side. This order is important.
With the 3 frames assembled, pick your least favorite. This will be the one on the bottom. If you don't want gophers or other ground-dwelling creatures in your garden bed, use a staple gun (or u-nails) to attach the chicken wire to the bottom frame, cutting off the excess.
Clear some space where the bed will go. If it's not already level, use a rake and shovel to get it as close as you can. Put the first frame down, check the level, then adjust as needed. Once you're statisfied with the placement of the first frame, stack the remaing frames on top, then put the 15 1/2" 2x4s in each corner to secure the frame to one another, attaching with three of the 2 1/2" screws.
Apply the water-proof stain liberally. This thing will live outside and is touching the dirt, so glob it on real good on the exposed areas. Truly, you should do staining prior to assembly, but I'm lazier than that and the shortcut won't affect the near-term life of the garden bed.