Home grown

Better Homes and Gardens (MCT) - The Presidential family has broken ground on the first White House vegetable garden since World War II and American families nationwide are expected to follow suit this spring.

According to a new Better Homes and Garden study, "The Food Factor: How America Cooks, Eats and Shops," about half (49 percent) of all households are planning to grow their own fruit and/or vegetable garden this year. Additionally, 78 percent of households are eating more fresh fruits and/or vegetables to be healthy and 71 percent of households will likely use fresh herbs if a recipe calls for them.

By following the instructions featured in the April issue of Better Homes and Gardens, in one afternoon you can build a raised bed that will yield bushels of delicious fresh vegetables.

BUILD A BED

To get started, determine the dimensions of the bed. A size of 4Ă--8 feet is convenient because boards come in 8-foot lengths. Buy three, saw one in half, and with a single cut all four pieces are ready. Regardless of the length, beds should be no more than 4 feet wide. This allows you to reach all parts by leaning in from the edge. If desired, stain the boards before assembling. Staining isn't critical, but it increases the life of the boards and makes the bed more attractive.

MATERIALS:

2Ă--8 cedar boards

3 1/2-inch deck screws

2-inch deck screws

2-foot wood stakes

Topsoil

COST:

About $50-$60 for wood, hardware, and soil for a 4Ă--8- foot bed.

STEP-BY-STEP:

1. Fasten corners: Drill pilot holes, then fasten boards with3 1/2 -inch deck screws.

2. Drive stakes: Use a sledgehammer to drive stakes into the ground along the inside surface of the box. Space stakes every 2-3 feet.

3. Fasten stakes: Drill pilot holes, then drive 2-inch screws through the stakes, into the boards.

4. Attach trim: (Optional) Cut pieces of scrap wood and attach them to corners for a decorative look.

5. Remove sod: Use a flat spade or a sod cutter to remove lawn grass, if present, from inside the bed. If no sod is present, loosen soil by turning with a shovel or spading fork.

6. Add soil

Fill the bed with topsoil, or "black dirt." Fill soil to the top of the boards; it will soon settle an inch or two.

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(Want to see what else is coming from Better Homes and Gardens magazine? Go to www.bhg.com for more.)

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© 2009, Better Homes and Gardens.