Nail boards together as sides for a raised bed.

I just saw an idea for a more permanent frame that works great. 6" round large pvc pipes that connect easily, never rot, and look good.

You'll have to fill it up with loam and compost, then you'll be ready to plant

Here is a link that might be useful: Vegetable Gardening

We used 2 x 10's to make beds that are about 4 ft across and 8 ft long. The corners are held together with galvanized screws (nails will pull out) and so far they've been down there for ten years. A couple are showing signs of age, but if we have to replace them soon, it's not a big deal. They are filled with mushroom dirt because it holds water reasonably well. The usual problem I have with raised beds is drought, but these aren't half bad.

I like the raised bed corners Gardener's Supply sells. I am pretty lame at DIY stuff, but even I could assemble raised beds with those. I just used pine, as couldn't get cedar, but it's still holding up 3 years later.

I wonder if you want to direct that runoff away from your bed? Maybe make a channel lined with river rock or something?

Or google 'rain gardens' -- which are garden areas that are designed to capture rain water, and which contain plants that love occasional flooding and can tolerate drying out between storms. I think it sounds complicated, but it might work great for you? The New England Wild Flower Soc and the Arnold ARb occasionally offer classes on the topic, but the woman who teaches those classes is quite a fright, IMHO. I left early.

Good luck!

can you get to leverett, MA (near amherst)? if so, there is an absolutely delightful garden-happy couple there who make & sell white cedar raised beds. the beds are mortis & tenon construction -- simple simple simple to put together (you just slide in a peg).

you don't *have* schlep to leverett, they will ship the beds, too ... but if you can pick them up yourself, you'll get to meet wise, kind people and oogle their thoughtfully-planned gardens & colonial home. definitely worth the trip.

btw, i am in no way affiliated with these folks ... just an enthusiastic fan & proud owner of 14 of their raised beds.

Here is a link that might be useful: the farmstead: raised garden bed kits, easy to assemble

can you get to leverett, MA (near amherst)? if so, there is an absolutely delightful garden-happy couple there who make & sell white cedar raised beds. the beds are mortis & tenon construction -- simple simple simple to put together (you just slide in a peg).

you don't *have* schlep to leverett, they will ship the beds, too ... but if you can pick them up yourself, you'll get to meet wise, kind people and oogle their thoughtfully-planned gardens & colonial home. definitely worth the trip.

btw, i am in no way affiliated with these folks ... just an enthusiastic fan & proud owner of 14 of their raised beds.

Here is a link that might be useful: the farmstead: raised garden bed kits, easy to assemble