How to Build a Corrugated Metal Bed

Inspired by the idea of using stock tanks as planters, Ivette Soler built a similar raised beds of corrugated metal in her front parking strip. Following are her instructions, reprinted with permission from Timber Press; they’re from Soler’s recent book, The Edible Front Yard: The Mow-Less, Grow-More Plan for a Beautiful, Bountiful Garden.

Material for 1 round bed

(12 in. tall by 5 ft. wide)

• 8 panels of corrugated metal, cut to size. (Soler’s panels were 28 in. wide, but width varies depending on where you buy it.)
• Drill
• Rivet gun and rivets
• 8 rebar or steel rods (20 in.)
• Wire hardware cloth to line the bottom of beds

Directions

1. Lay out the panels so they overlap one another by 2 in.
2. Starting at one end, prepare to attach panel to panel by drilling 3 holes down each seam, evenly spaced, through both panels.
3. Using your rivet gun, place a rivet in each of the holes.
4. You will now have 1 long strip of metal. Take it to the designated location in the hellstrip and stand it up.
5. Rivet the final seam that will turn the strip of metal into a circular bed.
6. Place the support rods on the outside of the beds and pound them into the ground until they are even with the top of the beds.
7. Cut lengths of hardware cloth to fit inside the bed. Place them in the bed so they overlap and curve up the sides.
8. Fill your new bed with compost and start planting.