Skip to content
Shop Projects

Raised Garden Bed

Step-by-step build — 18 steps. Also available as a print sheet.

  1. 1Gather Materials

    Gather materials. Redwood or cedar are both good choices for outdoor projects. You'll need 2x4 and 2x6 boards.

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 3
  2. 2Make Cuts

    Use a miter saw or circular saw to make each cut according to the cut list. Feel free to modify the size as needed to best fit your needs.

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 4
  3. 3Create pocket holes

    Use a pocket hole jig to attach the two boards that form each leg. Drill pocket holes into the 2x4 board. I'd recommend creating 4 pocket holes for each leg.

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 5
  4. 4Connect legs

    Use 2 1/2 inch Kreg screws to attach the leg boards.

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 6
  5. 5Layout boards

    Layout the legs and long side boards.

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 7
  6. 6Attach side boards to legs

    Use 2 1/2 inch wood screws to attach each 2x6 board to each leg. Use 2 screws on the end of each board.

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 8
  7. 7Prepare to add short side board

    Here is a photo showing the two longer sections prior to adding the other 2 sections.

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 9
  8. 8Connect short side boards

    Use 2 1/2 inch wood screws to attach the shorter 2x6 side boards to the leg.

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 10
  9. 9Sides added

    Here is a photo showing the sides connected.

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 11
  10. 10Connect the last side

    Complete the four sided box by attaching the remaining side with 2 1/2 inch wood screws.

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 12
  11. 11Create cap boards frame

    Form the frame for the top cap out of 2x4 boards. Connect at each corner from the underside using 2 1/2 inch Kreg screws.

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 13
  12. 12Create pocket holes

    Drill pocket holes to enable the top caps to be connected from the underside using 2 1/2 inch Kreg screws.

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 14
  13. 13Add center 2x4 supports

    Center the 2x4 middle supports on the outside of the planter and then attach with 2 1/2 inch screws from the inside.

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 15
  14. 14Prior to cap

    Here is the planter prior to the 2x4 cap frame being attached.

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 16
  15. 15Attach cap from underside

    Attach the top cap to the sidewalls from the underside using 2 1/2 inch Kreg screws.

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 17
  16. 16Level

    Determine where the planter will go. Create a level surface.

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 18
  17. 17Weed cloth

    Add weed cloth to prevent unwanted vegetation from growing into your planter. Use chicken wire to keep gophers out if needed.

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 19
  18. 18Add soil

    Add soil to the planter. It will take approximately 19 cubic feet. Plants some flowers, herbs, or vegetables!

    Raised Garden Bed — step photo 20