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Several 4 foot by 8 foot garden beds filled with garden soil
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How to Build a Raised Garden Bed

Step by step instructions on how to build a raised garden bed.
Prep Time20 mins
Active Time30 mins
Total Time50 mins
Keyword: Planting
Yield: 1 4x8 Raised Garden Bed

Equipment

Materials

  • 2 2 in x 12 in x 8 ft Douglas Fir Boards
  • 2 2 in x 12 in x 4 ft Douglas Fir Boards
  • 12 3 inch exterior wood screws
  • Cardboard Cover bottom of 4x8 bed

Instructions

  • We ordered two 2 inch x 12 inch x 12 foot boards so we needed to cut them down into the required sizes to build the raised bed. I used a circular saw to cut the 12 foot boards into 4 foot and 8 foot pieces. You can skip this step by having a person at Home Depot or Lowes cut the boards down to size for you.
    Circular saw sitting on 2x12x12 board propped up on saw horses. Board will be used to build a raised garden bed.
  • I found building the raised bed close to its final location is the best since the raised bed is very heavy and bulky to carry once built. Take 1 four foot board and 1 eight foot board and put them together in an L shape. We put the 4 foot board on the inside edge of the 8 foot board. Using your screw gun and exterior wood screws, screw 3 screws into the 8 foot board edge so they connect the 2 wood pieces together. Space the screws so there is 1 at the top, 1 in the middle, and 1 at the bottom. Try to make sure there is as little of a gap as possible between the 2 pieces of wood.
    Screwgun being used to connect the corner of a raised garden bed with exterior wood screws.
  • Next add the second 8 foot board to the other end of the 4 foot board you were using following the same method as above. You want to screw in the longer sections first because it is easier to bend the longer boards if for some reason your wood is a little warped when screwing them together.
  • Insert the last 4 foot board in between the ends of the 2 8 foot boards on the other end. Using 3 screws on each end attach the 4 foot board to the 2 8 foot boards. Congratulations you have built a raised bed!
    4 foot by 8 foot by 12 inch raised garden bed made out of douglas fir boards sitting on the green grass.
  • Move the raised bed into its final location.
  • I like to line the bottom of my raised beds with cardboard. This will help to smother any weeds or grass that may be in the bottom of the raised bed.
    Raised bed with cardboard in the bottom to help suppress weeds and grass growing in bed.
  • Fill the raised bed with the best quality soil you can buy. Don't skimp on this piece because your soil is the most important part of your garden. Better soil will help you grow healthy plants.
    Several 4 foot by 8 foot garden beds filled with garden soil

Notes

There are many ways to build a raised bed.  I just found this method the easiest and my raised beds have lasted years in my garden.