How to Build the Best DIY Raised Garden Beds

How to Build the Best DIY Raised Garden Beds

Hi there!

I’m so excited to share all about how to build the best DIY raised garden beds with you! Over the past few years I’ve built several different styles and versions of raised garden beds. So I took the things I liked most from them and thought of what I could do to make them better and these are what I came up with! They’re the best!

*This post contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and purchase something, I make a commission at no additional cost to you. This helps to support my blog, so thank you SO much!*

Building Supplies for Raised Garden Beds

I got the most amazing opportunity to work with The Home Depot to start creating our dream garden this year! So all the materials, garden bed soil, and plants came from them!

I chose to make 4 raised garden beds that are 3 ft wide x 12 ft long and 2 boards tall. They also have a ledge around the top, which is my favorite part! I made them 3 ft wide because I’m short and wanted to be able to reach across them easily, but you can make them whatever width suites you best!

I made them using pre-stained treated deck boards from The Home Depot. They are 2 boards tall. Here’s what I needed for each bed

4 – 1 x 12 pre-stained treated deck boards for the side lengths
1 – 1 x 12 pre-stained treated boards for the ends (cut into 4 – 3 ft lengths)
3 – 1 x 12 pre-stained treated boards for the ledge (you’ll have enough extra for the ends of another bed)
1 pre-stained treated 8 ft 4 x 4 post for inside corner support (again you’ll have extra)
1 – 8 ft treated 2×4 for inside support on the long sides (you’ll have extra)
deck screws (I chose the ones that match the wood tone)

If you want to make 4 boxes like me you’ll need 26 deck boards, 2 – 8 ft posts, 1 – 8 ft 4 x 4 post

Building the DIY Raised Garden Beds

I made all my cuts. First, I cut all the end pieces 3 ft wide. Then I cut the 4 x 4 corner supports to the height of the 2 boards, which is between 11 1/2 – 12 inches. Next, I cut the 2 x4 inner supports for the long sides. Again these were between 11 1/2 and 12 inches or the height of my 2 stacked deck boards.

I laid my materials out for each bed as I cut them. Below you’ll see some pics of the build and I also shared a video explaining how I built them!

Assembling the Garden Beds

After making all my cuts I started assembling them! First I laid the 12 ft deck boards on the ground and made sure they were tight against each other. Then I added the 2 x 4s for support on the inside of the beds. Next, I held the long deck boards stacked on top of each with my feet while I screwed the 4 x 4s to them.

I built both of the long sides first then attached the end boards to them the same way. Then I After the beds themselves were built I cut and added the ledges. I screwed the ledges to the top of the 4 x 4s in the corners.

Planting the Garden Beds

I planted all kinds of awesome Bonnie plants that are thriving! I share exactly what I planted when I share our greenhouse, which you may or may not have noticed was also being constructed during the time! We’re just finishing it up and I cannot wait for you to see it!!!