How to Build Raised Garden Bed (beginner-friendly guide)

If you’ve ever wanted to grow your own food but didn’t know where to start, a raised garden bed is one of the easiest ways to begin.

Raised Garden beds give you control over your soil. They can make gardening easier on your body because you don’t have to stoop down or bend over to harvest. Raised beds create a clean, organized space to grow real, healthy food.

Here in Oregon, building raised beds is a must. We live on a cliff and there are lots of rocks, and our soil is a sandy loam (good for cactus). I like to grow our food in the summer months and take it from garden to table.

Materials you Will Need

4-6 wooden boards (2 x 6 or similar), Corner posts (4 X 4 Pieces), Screws (Deck screws work best), Landscape fabric (optional but not really), Soil and compost mix.

A typical raised garden bed might use Cedar or Redwood Boards because they naturally resist rot and they last longer out doors with proper care.

Tools you will need:
Drill (or a hammer)
Measuring tape
Saw (if cutting wood)
Level
Square for corners

Select your location: Pick a spot that has at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. Access to water. A spot that is relatively level. You can make it more level because this really matters. Water runs downhill even in garden planters. Part of the planter will get too much water and the other part will dry out and die. The right amount of sunlight, enough water and a level area will ensure a successful harvest.

Size Matters

Decide on the size of your Raised Garden bed: A common size is 4 feet wide by 6 or 8 feet long. It can be 6-12 inches deep or even deeper yet. Remember, the deeper it is the more soil it will take to fill. Because the bed is 4 feet wide, it will allow you to reach the center from both sides.

Cut and Assemble the Frame: To cut your boards to size, you will need:
2-4 foot long boards (for ends)
2-6 or 8 foot long boards (for sides).
If you are using 2 x 6 panels, you will also need:
4- 4 x 4 corner pieces cut to 6 inches.
Lay your boards out in the selected area situated so the sun is optimized.

Now you are ready for assembly

If you are using nails get a hammer handy and the nails. If you are using screws, get your deck screws and your drill ready with a hex (usually) head. Tilt one 4 foot panel and one 6 or 8 foot panel, place the ends together, one overlapping to make it square. First, screw or nail the side of the 8 food board into the end of the 4 foot board to tack it in place. Now place the 6 inch 4 x 4 on the inside of the corner and nail or screw each side into the 4 x 4. This makes for a secure corner that won’t come apart.

Place and Adjust your Raised Garden Bed: When you have secured all 4 corners, Lay black landscape cloth down where you will put your bed. You can now move your raised garden bed into place. It’s time to fill it with soil. You can put one of these or mix all of them, soil, compost, organic matter. The great thing about a raised garden bed is you can control the soil quality and improve the drainage at any time. I refresh the soil and rotate my crops each year to keep my garden growing strong.

If you are just starting to garden, take it slow and start with one small raised bed. Now that you know how easy it is to make one, consider expanding your garden in the future. Start with easy crops (depending on your weather) Herbs grow well try some Basil, Oregano, sage and thyme. The bonus is they flower and the bees like them. Lettuce and spinach are easy to grow and if you use heirloom seeds they will continue to seed and grow. Zucchini is a great crop and easy to grow, only plant one, take my word for it. I also find all sorts of peppers easy to grow along with cilantro, chives, strawberries and beans.

Don’t Over Think your Garden

Simple works best. Make sure and leave room for growth. It’s a good idea to have a few things on hand to help control or support the growth. Tomato baskets- these are the round, tall, cylinder wire things you can put a plant in the middle of and tie it to while it grows. It’s a good idea to have a roll of twine to tie things up for support. I always keep wire fencing on hand to separate things out or to give vines a place to grow.

What ever you do, don’t skimp on the soil. I always make sure my soil is local and organic and has a good mixture of peat and compost. If your soil is not good your garden will be mediocre. We all want more, we want a beautiful garden with delicious vegetables, berries and fruits.

Common Mistakes to Avoid: Make sure and select a type of wood that does not rot and will hold up to the weather for both the rails and the corner blocks. As I said before, it is very important to have a level area for your raised garden bed. Do not be tempted to make your raised bed wider. Even if you have the room because you won’t be able to reach the center without stepping into the bed. It may be cheaper to buy wood that is less than 12 inches wide. Beds that are too shallow can limit plant growth and harvest. Always buy the best soil.

Now that growing season is upon us, plan your garden and get planting.