4 years ago I purchased 3 2X16's to build a raised bed. All I did was used wood screws to hold the lumber together while it was on the ground. Well tree roots grew into the garden and over took the bed. The lumber pieces weren't put together right so I lost a lot of good soil from around the corner areas. What I need from the forum is help to secure the 2X16's in a box type fashion where It wont come apart with no spacing where the joints meet. Lag bolts or regular bolts is what I'm looking for as the fasteners. Thanks.

I cut one of the 2X16's in half for the ends.

I tried lag bolts to secure the lumber last year but they just kept stripping out the hole.

I since have relocated the garden, but have not put together yet.

Yes small garden.....
Thanks

I would get a strip of corner flashing from the roofing section of the hardware store. Cut a piece off that fits the length of each corner and tack in in with some roofing nails. No dirt will ever be lost again. If you want to use bolts instead of screws pick up some simple corner brackets to use on the inside corners over the flashing, drill the holes, and bolt the corners together. The flashing is very inexpensive, but considering that the inside flashing will mostly covered by dirt, I personally would cut up some aluminum cans to make the flashing rather than spend the cash.

Agree with John, corner brackets and flashing. bolt the corner brackets in place.

Cut some 2x4 into 24” pieces and cut a wedge off one end of each one. Hammer into the ground alongside the 2x16 and screw the two together. Put some on the inside and some on the outside, I’d put 2-3 on each side and one on each end.

I would look at steel angle braces for the corners, you have a lot of weight from all of the dirt pushing on those piece of wood, screws and lag bolts will be pulled loose. With steel angle bracing you can use bolts through the wood and steel. Look at Simpson Strong-Tie fasters at the big box stores, Or pick up some flat steel and bend your own and drill holes.

We had used RR ties, in the corners I made corner pieces out of scrap tin from an AC shop's dumpster. I used pieces that were about 6x10 inches. But I also have a sheet metal brake so it was pretty easy.

As DC said, Simpson Stong Ties.

They sell a gusset angle for about a buck. 2 each corner would probably be good. They sell special screws at thier display. These hold tight and are designed to prevent splitting wood. You will may need to trim an inch or two off of your 2 by toget some fresh wood.

You aslo may consider driving 3/8 rebar or 1/2 inch EMT around perimeter as well.