About a year ago we planted first plants in used wooden boxes (the drawers), see: Our First Veggie Garden: Planting Plants in Boxes .This year we (not me actually) decided to construct boxes by our own, making our veggie garden larger and probably more efficient than it was a year ago.
The idea about using boxes for growing veggies is simple, it proves to be more efficient than planting them in soil, and cheaper than building a greenhouse, thus a greenhouse is another upcoming thing to do.
Wooden boards we got from local sawmill for cheap (for free actually). There are no recommendations for size, only about height, it should be about 30 cm height (to add different layers of soil - compost inside, filling from bottom to top starting with last years grass, top soil and turf). Instead of using last years grass, you can use organic waste, potato peelings, egg shells e.t.c.)
This is how we did it:
Wooden planks
All the works are done in the backyard of our house in improvised outdoor workshop. Tools you will need - a saw, tape measure, a drill,and screws
First box is ready
Inside of the box is covered with a thick layer of black film to protect planks against moisture and mold. It's a good idea to cover outside with some safener, Pinotex for example).
In this, smaller box it is planned to plant cucumbers.
Making second, larger, box
Filling boxes with a soil
The larger the box, the more compost and soil you will need. Once the boxes are filed, water them well. For the larger box I watered 24 pails of pond water. Leave the compost to rest for about one day,
Roof construction
Now, I know not only how to change a roof for house, but also how to construct it for a mini greenhouse. Simple, at local DIY store buy 2 types of plumbing pipes. Thinner and thicker. From thicker pipe make 6 about 10 cm height pieces and using a drill attach to box (in bottom corners and in middle), then take thinner pipe and attach inside the thicker pipe, so you will make a stable and cheap construction to protect your veggie garden.
Attaching greenhouse film
Old and new
View towards our veggie garden