Good idea to deal with too much rain. I think you have a sound plan. Actually a lot of things like squash, cucumbers, potatoes are planted that way in continuous hills. You can do tomatoes that way too. Now that I can think of , that is how they do it commercially.

You'd want them at least as wide as your cages for good support. Height - 6-8" I'd think. Of course just as sure as we do that because last year was too wet, this year will be too dry. Sometimes we just can't win. :)

Dave

Thanks guys for your responses. Dave I think you may be right about the weather, seems like every year is the opposite from the last, but I can deal with too little rain a lot better than too much. At least that is my hope. :)

2 layers of 2x6" boards is a good height. But the material matters too. If you use pressure-treated boards, the chemicals can leach into your food.

Cedar and some other woods that are naturally rot-resistent are safer. I'm considering the new composite wood/plastic boards. There are some that are 5/4" and pretty sturdy. I think I am going to go with those.

yardman,

I am not going to go with any boards or other materials to actually make a raised bed but just a continuous hill more or less. Kind of a halfway measure, but I'll see how it goes.