Boardwalk and raised bed
Avoid muddy ground by creating a simple boardwalk between two raised beds.
Ways with wood with Mark Rayner - Project 90
Difficulty level: Challenging
You will need
- 50mm x 75mm treated timber (approximately 5m), 100mm exterior screws, 1.5m fence palings (x6);
- Decking nails, drill with 3mm drill bit, hammer;
- Paint stirrer, pencil, paintbrush;
- Existing tongue and groove raised beds (treated with Resene Moss & Mould Killer and thoroughly cleaned using Resene Timber and Deck Wash), Resene Kwila Timber Stain, Resene Waterborne Woodsman tinted to Resene Grey Green;
- Saw, scissors for cutting weed mat, screwdriver, spirit level;
- Tape measure, turps for washing brush, tongue and groove landscaping timber (approx 8m);
- Weed mat and weed mat staples.
To get the look: Mark filled the raised bed with good quality topsoil and compost.
Other ideas: For a darker look stain the raised bed with Resene Woodsman tinted to Resene Pitch Black.
How to build a boardwalk and raised bed
Step one
Measure the lengths of the two existing raised beds and cut the 50mm x 75mm timber to fit. Fix these lengths to either side of the raised beds using 100mm screws, drilling pilot holes first. Use a spirit level to ensure the finished boardwalk will be level in both directions.
Step two
Lay the weed mat over the ground between the two raised beds and fix it down with weed mat pins.
Step three
Measure, mark and cut the tongue and groove landscaping timber to fit a second layer on the main raised bed. Fix these pieces together at each corner with 100mm screws, drilling pilot holes first.
Step four
Measure, mark and cut the fence palings into sections to fit between the raised beds, as shown. Fix at each end with decking nails.
Step five
Carefully stir the Resene Waterborne Woodsman tinted to Resene Grey Green.
Step six
Apply two coats of Resene Waterborne Woodsman tinted to Resene Grey Green to the raised beds allowing two hours for each coat to dry.
Step seven
Carefully stir the Resene Kwila Timber Stain
Step eight
Apply two coats of Resene Kwila Timber Stain to the boardwalk allowing 24 hours for each coat to dry. Wash brush with mineral turps.