How to Build a Garden Enclosure

Knowing how to build a garden enclosure means having the right materials to proceed with the enclosure’s assembly. You’ll need these tools for the project:

• Power drill and drill bit set
• Circular saw or miter saw
• Measuring tape
• Level
• Square and 45-degree speed square
• Pencil or marker
• Exterior wood glue or construction adhesive
• Fence staples
• Hammer
• Gate hinges
• Door handle
• 3-inch and 2 1/2-inch exterior wood screws, rated for pressure treated lumber
• A 32-foot roll of 1-inch chicken wire or wire mesh
• Work gloves and safety glasses

Pressure-treated exterior grade lumber is best for this project. Get these lumber materials in the following lengths:

• Four 4 x 4 in. x 6 ft.
• Three 2 x 4 in. x 12 ft.
• Seven 2 x 4 in.
  x 8
  ft.
• 12 2 x 6 in.
  x 8
  ft.
• One 1 x 2 in. x 6
  ft.

These are the lumber cuts for each part of the garden enclosure:

Frame:

• Six 2 x 4 x 6 ft. studs
  cut from the three
  2 x 4
  in. x 12
  ft.
  studs
• Two 2 x 6 x 30 1/2
  in. studs cut from one of the
  2 x 6 in.
  x 8
  ft.
  studs
• Two 2 x 4 x 30 1/2
  in. studs cut from one of the
  2 x 4 in.
  x 8
  ft.
  studs
• Eight 2 x 4 x 31 in. studs, cut at the ends at 45 degrees off square, not parallel, and measured from long point to long point

Raised bed:

• Four
  2 x 6 in.
  x 8
  ft.
  studs
• Two 2 x 6 x 38 in. studs cut from one of the
  2 x 6 in.
  x 8
  ft.
  studs

Door:

• One 2 x 4 x 53
  in. stud cut from one of the 2 x 4 in.
  x 8
  ft.
  studs
• Two 2 x 4 x 46 in. stud cut from one of the
  2 x 4 in.
  x 8
  ft.
  studs
• One 2 by 4 x
  33 1/2
  in. stud
  cut from one of the
  2 x 4 in.
  x 8
  ft.
  studs
• Two 1 by 2 x 33 1/2
  in.
  stud
  cut from the
  1 x 2
  in. x 6
  ft. stud
• One 2 x 6 x 33 1/2
  in.
  stud
  inches cut from one of the 2 x 6 in.
  x 8
  ft.
  studs

Place the
4 x 4
in. x 6
ft. studs
on a flat, level surface.

• Attach to two of the posts one of the
  2 x 4 in.
  x 8
  ft. studs
  to where the top of the wall will be and one of the
  2 x 6 in.
  x 8
  ft. studs
  to where the bottom will be. Use wood glue or construction adhesive and 3-inch wood screws.
• Start by driving one 3-inch exterior wood screw into each corner, then check to ensure the frame is square.
• You may have to adjust the frame for squareness. Measuring diagonals for square is easier than it sounds. Measure from two opposite corners and make note of that distance. Measure across the other opposite corners and compare the measurements. If they are the same, your project's corners are square. If they are different, go to one of the corners that measured long, and push it towards the opposite corner. Measure the diagonals again, adjusting until they match.
• Now drive the remaining screws in, two to three screws in each corner.
• Attach a
  2 x 4 in.
  x 6 ft. stud
  to the center of the frame on edge with 3-inch wood screws.
• Once you’ve completed the frame, repeat the tasks to build the second side wall.

You will need a helper for the task of completing the front and back wall framing.

• Lift one of the side walls upright. Attach a
  2 x 6 in.
  x 8
  ft. stud to the bottom using 3-inch wood screws and wood glue. Raise the opposite wall and attach a
  2 x 6 in.
  x 8
  ft. stud to the bottom.
• Attach a
  2 x 4 in.
  x 8
  ft. stud to the top of the back frame. Repeat the process for the top of the front frame.
• As with the side walls, adjust for square by taking diagonal measurements.
• Attach the remaining
  2 x 4 in.
  x 6 ft. studs to the front and back wall framing. Use 3-inch wood screws and wood glue to attach the posts on edge 24 inches from the corner posts.

Tip: Make sure when building the frame that it is in the location of the yard where you want it to be.

Now that the frame for the garden enclosure is built, the next task is to add the chicken wire or mesh. Galvanized or plastic-coated 1 x 1-in. wire mesh is effective in keeping small animals out.

• Wrap the lower 4 feet of the enclosure in chicken wire or mesh. Use staples and a stapling gun to secure the wire or mesh. Leave an opening between two
  2 x 4 in.
  x 6 ft.
  posts for a door.
• Attach the remaining
  2 x 4 in.
  x 8
  ft.
  studs over the top of the chicken wire or mesh. Then attach the remaining 2 x 6 in.
  x 8
  ft.
  studs to the bottom of the wire or mesh. Use 3-inch exterior screws and wood glue.

Ensure the enclosure is square, then attach the 2 x 4 x 31
in. cross supports to the interior of the frame. Use 2 1/2-inch exterior wood screws and wood glue.

The next step is to build the raised boxes for the plant beds.

• Use four
  2 x 6 in.
  x 8
  ft.
  studs
  to create the raised beds on opposite sides within the enclosure. Use 3-inch exterior screws to secure then to the posts.
• Place two
  2 x 6 x 38
  in. studs
  between the raised beds to create a third bed at the rear of the enclosure. Secure the studs
  with 3-inch screws.

The final task in the assembly of the garden enclosure is to build the door, starting with the frame.

• Attach the
  2 x 4 x 46 in. boards to the top and bottom of the 1 by 2 x 33 1/2
  in.
  studs to create the door frame. Use 2 1/2-inch exterior wood screws. Check and adjust door frame for square.
• Lay the 2 x 4 x 53 in. cross support board over the door frame. Mark with a pencil. Cut off ends with a circular saw or jigsaw.
• Staple a section of chicken wire or mesh to the door frame.
• Attach the 2 by 4 in.
  and 2 x 6 in.
  trim to the door frame with 2.5-inch screws. Attach the cross support on the interior of the door.
• Use 2 1/2-inch exterior wood screws to attach the gate hinges and gate handle.
• Attach the door to the frame of the
  enclosure.