How to Build a Raised Garden Bed (DIY Plans & Cut List)

A raised garden bed is one of the best investments a vegetable gardener can make.

Why build a raised bed?

You fill the bed with a loose, rich mix instead of working with poor or compacted ground.

Choose the right size

Beds longer than 8 feet need a brace across the middle to stop the long sides bowing outward under the weight of wet soil.

Choose your wood

Lifespans depend heavily on your climate, soil moisture and board thickness, so treat them as relative rather than exact.

Cut list

With the end boards fixed to the ends of the long sides, the finished bed measures about 8 feet 3 inches by 4 feet on the outside.

How to build a raised garden bed, step by step

Choose a level spot with at least six to eight hours of direct sun.

Board counts for other bed sizes

All figures assume 2×6 boards (about 5.5 inches tall) and that ends are cut from 8-foot boards where possible.