My current beds have been in place for three years, and I haven't experienced any issues with just letting them sit on top of the ground. Seems like overkill. Is there any particular reason the landscaper is recommending this?

ralleia,

I don't really know why. It is just what he was mentioning. I never really questioned him until I found this forum. The ground is flat so it is not like it will move around at all. I guess next time I contact him, I will have to ask what he is thinking.

Chris

Huh, are people going to be siting on the edge of the beds? Do you have cars going past them?

Otherwise I think he is over engineering them. Also, if the cement is holding a 4x4 I suppose he wants to use pressure treated wood too. If you are using the beds to raise veggies, or are going to compost things from the beds and put that in your veggie garden don't use pressure treated wood.

Some people enjoy building things that give the appearance and feel of permanence. However, these are garden beds that need to be replaced or repaired every 5 or so years. If your builder is not a gardener he probably doesn't think like a gardener, he is thinking like a builder. Raise beds that sit on the ground are just fine.

He might be trying to prevent the 7 foot long side from bulging out which will happen, but a simple stake in the ground in the four corners and one or two along the side will prevent that, IMHO this would not require a cement footing.

Now if you make the beds out of brick or cement blocks then we are talking about something the needs a concrete footing.

CloneZero

Chris - sounds to me like he is trying to feed his wallet from your garden. Definitely OVERKILL. Mine have been just sitting on top of the ground for the last 5 yrs. (untreated). I would NOT trust this guy for ANY future projects.
Good Luck,
Gumby_CT