How We Built Raised Garden Beds in 5 Steps
My wife, Taeya Harle, and I wanted to add two raised garden beds to our front yard. After measuring the space, we found garden beds online but we weren’t thrilled about the price ($384.95 for one bed with smaller dimensions). So we decided to build our own. Listed below are the steps we took and supplies we bought to make it happen. We also provide a diagram of dimensions at the end.
Step 0) Considerations and planning ahead.
In terms of time and cost, this entire project took 3 hours total. Since we already had the necessary power tools and supplies, we just needed to buy the cedar which cost $220.74 in Seattle, WA.
Before building, consider how you’re planning to use the garden beds. If you’re planning to plant vegetables, consider the wildlife that live nearby. Will you need to add an extra layer of netting/ wires to keep wildlife out? Will there be enough sunlight for the plants in your garden beds? Also, make sure your plants will be protected from extreme wind and heat.
Step 1) Get the Supplies. These are the tools and materials we used.
- 14 count of 5/4x4 — 8 foot cedar premium tight knot lumber.
- 4 count of 4x4–54 inches cedar turned deck post.
- A chop saw. Recommend this Kobalt one.
- A drill driver and impact driver. Recommend this Milwaukee set.
- A box of 2–1/2 inch exterior screws. Recommend this Grip Rite one.
- Tape measure. Recommend this Stanley one.
- Pencil/Pen. Recommend this oversized carpenter pencil.
- A square for straight lines. Recommend this Empire 12 inch.
- Gardening gloves. Recommend these Firm Grip gloves.
- Rake for clearing and leveling. This Anvil leaf rake should do the trick.
Step 2) Clear and Level Space.
We used a rake and our hands to clean, clear, and level the space in our yard where we wanted the garden beds. This way, they would sit flat.
Step 3) Measure Twice, Cut Once.
It’s an old adage but it still holds true.
Get one of your cedar tight knot boards, measure it, make a mark with your pencil for where you’ll cut, use your square to make a straight line, measure it again. Is it all good? Yes? Then place it under your chop saw and cut. Repeat or consider Step 3.
Step 4) Assemble as You Go.
As shown in my Instagram story below (follow my wife), we first started cutting the 48 inch boards and drilled them into the deck posts, ensuring the edge of the boards were aligned with the edge of the deck posts. Then, we moved on to the 30 inch boards.
Before you start drilling things in, consider aesthetics. Do your best to measure the width of the board and use your pencil to mark where to drill ensuring there’s even spacing above, below, and in-between your screws. You also want to make sure the screws are all aligned going up and down the boards.
Also for aesthetics, and as you can see below, we made sure the the 30 inch boards (in our case, the front and back) covered the 48 inch boards and the deck posts. When looking at the beds straight on, this gave it more of a finished look as shown in our title image.
Step 5) Enjoy! And Next Steps.
Enjoy your new garden beds! Now you can fill them with soil and add plants and vegetables to your beds. Below is what we added to ours. What will you add to yours?
Thank you for reading!
Diagram of Dimensions
