Cedar Raised Garden Beds

Raised garden beds give you control over soil quality, drainage, and layout. Cedar is the go-to material because it resists rot without chemical treatment. This design uses simple butt joints and corner stakes, so you can build it with basic tools.

Step by step

1. 1

   Choose the location

   Pick a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun. Level the ground and remove sod within the footprint of each bed.

2. 2

   Cut the boards

   For a 4x8 bed, cut two boards to 8 feet and four to 4 feet. Cedar 2x6 is ideal because two stacked courses give you 12" of depth.

3. 3

   Assemble the frame

   Pre-drill and screw the long boards into the ends of the short boards. Drive 2x2 stakes at each corner for extra strength.

4. 4

   Line the bed

   Staple landscape fabric to the inside bottom to block weeds while still letting water drain.

5. 5

   Fill with soil

   Use a mix of 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% perlite for most vegetables. Water thoroughly before planting.