I like to be able to tweak size and shape even after building a raised bed, so I use movable walls. Concrete paving stones stood on end, leaning in agaunst the soil.

At only $0.95 to $1.30 each, they may even be cheaper than some wood designs. And they couldn't be any permanenter!

3/4" x 8" x 12"
1" x 12" x 12"

By swapping one kind of oaver for another, or stnding the 8x16 ones up "the tall way", I can even change the depth of beds, especially on a slope.

And you can lean them away from the soil to check for and destroy slug eggs, or add or remove a plastic liner to change water retention.

Do you have a picture?

Here's the full "drainage" saga, including several photos of raised bed walls:
http://garden.org/thread/view_...

I should take another picture after they've been tidied up and made even, but anyway:

Good, Rick. I use hoses to "design" some of my beds but do like this idea of yours.

canadanna -
Lovely Sheltie!

Rick -
Lovely kitty!

A hose is a great way to design the shape of a water garden/pond.

I am waiting for the snow to go away, so I can enlarge a couple of my beds. The garden hose will be the perfect way to tweak the lines until they feel and look just right.

Kay, I had an area where I wanted to do 3 curved beds, I used 3 hoses so that I could play with the individual shapes until I was happy with the way they all looked together. Good luck on your project.