Kirk and Teri Doughty wanted to make room for a productive vegetable garden without losing the lawn their children love to play on. Landscaper David Tubberville helped them develop a series of raised beds that step down the slope. All are made from pressure-treated 4-by-6s.

The timbers are held together - and staked into the ground - with lengths of rebar pounded through 1/2-inch holes drilled into the ends of each piece. Posts support overhead trellises that will eventually carry fruit like grapes and kiwis. In summer, twine strung between posts supports vining crops like pole beans.