How to Build a Raised Garden Bed - (A Complete Discussion)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- Raised garden beds are ideal for vegetable gardening and building a raised bed is quite easy. It can be as simple as starting with three boards and cutting one in half to make the basic box, but there are other factors to consider. Gardener Scott shows how to make a raised bed and discusses the importance of best size, height options, wood selection, extra support for high raised beds, and more.
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Just bought all the materials and having been watching every damn video on how to make these and nobody explained and demonstrated it better than yourself. Thank you for the knowledge
Thanks. I'm so glad it was helpful.
Amen!
@@GardenerScott what height are your beds ....Martin, Scotland.
@@martinmcgowan6025 8 feet long boards = 243.84 cm. Two by eight 2x8 = 38mm (depth) x 184mm (width). So the height should be 184mm x 2 = 36,8cm in height.
4x4 lumber = 90mm x 90mm.
I googled the above and find it very strange because 1 inch = 2,54cm. So 4x4 should be 4x2,54cm =11,6cm. So 11,6cm x 11,6cm. If someone can explain this that would be good, if not... we will manage anyway because, as Scott said, it's simply a box. Must not be perfect to the cm.
How wide is a 2 by 8?
Dimensional Sizing
Nominal Size Actual Size (Imperial) Actual Size (Metric)
2x8 1.50″ x 7.25″ 38mm x 184mm
2x10 1.50″ x 9.25″ 38mm x 235mm
2x12 1.50″ x 11.25″ 38mm x 286mm
3x4 2.50″ x 3.50″ 64mm x 90mm
White fir = Abies concolor (latin)
Redwood = Sequoia sempervirens (latin)
This I wrote at first: Seem to be two by eight 2x8 = 16 inches (40,64 cm). He said 15 inches (38,1 cm) so I assume he means that one inch go into the ground. I don't know if he said it wrong but the 4by4 shall be one inch shorter in height. He said 14 inches (35,56 cm).
Consider making the corner posts 4 feet tall which you can attach chicken wire to the posts to deter rabbits. Or can use the four foot posts for hoop end anchor. A center brace helps to keep the sides from sagging. Lining the edges of the raised bed with pavers keeps wood off the soil reducing rot and the need to trim grass from the edge of the bed. Landscaping fabric under the pavers helps keep grass under control and not creeping into the bed. I space beds far enough apart to be able to run the mower in between verses muching; pavers are at ground level so I can run the mower over the pavers
Steve, I like that Idea (the pavers). I'm watching this in October of '22 and getting ready to build a series of beds inside a basic, primitive sort of fence so I can have my dog outside with me and not having him running off out onto the county road. (He's a herding dog in search of a flock).
he said he "has" rabbits chicken wire to fend off pets isnt smart.
Thank you for speaking slowly and for keeping it simple!
Thank you Gardener Scott. I appreciate the idea of using the treated wood mainly where it will contact the ground. Practical and economical. Wonderful!
Thank you for speaking slowly. It makes it easier for me, as a non experienced carpenter nor gardener, digest a lot easier.
You are welcome!
under settings you can change the speed from normal. I usually set at 1.75 but time lapses I set really slow.
My husband used longer corner pieces (1m which is about 3ft) so I could put fleece or net over it if I need to. I find them even more useful for helping me get up when I've been kneeling for a while!
Glad to see someone opting for the economic solution, rather than the trendy looks cool option. Used railway sleepers were all the rage over here in the UK, which can be bought at high prices as 'raised bed kits' in garden centres. We made a raised bed out of the frame of my youngest's wooden trundle bed, it's still going strong.
Vielen Dank. Wunderbar und engagiert erklaert und vorgefuehrt, in einer deutlichen Sprache. Ohne Hintergrundmusik, wunderbar. Mein Daumen geht nach oben.
Vielen Dank.
My teacher lives in USA Colorado Mr Gardener Scott. Sir my name is Mazheruddin I am from Hyderabad India. I have garment shop in city, and I have one acre and six guntas land outskirts of city,want to make a homestead your videos will help me a lot.thanks for such beautiful videos. How many of you likes to live like Mr Scott.
What I did was mid way in the long sides I added a pre drilled steel bar straps about 3/4 inch wide by 3/16 inch thick by the required height vertically to stop the 8 foot boards from flexing. I got them at Home Depot in the section where they have construction braces and brackets. They added the strength to the long sides and stop the boards from bowing outward. Great video.
I love how you explain everything slowly and clearly. I now confident to build one for myself!!
You are amazing man. You didn’t leave any question unanswered ! I feel like I can go build 100 raised beds now! Thanks Scott !!
Beds that are more than 40 inches wide are actually hard to work in. As soon as you have to lean in, you are straining your back and the bed is not ergonomically effective. We build our beds from ten foot stock, making them 3 feet wide and 7 feet long. This is much easier to work in, and as a result, we tend to spend very pleasant time in our raised bed garden, preparing beds, planting, weeding, mulching and harvesting. Otherwise, your recipe is great. We also use 3 or 3 1/2 deck screws (even better) for attaching boards. We point three screws in each corner, for strength. With two inch thick stock (nominal two inch, actually 1 1/2 inch thickness) you don’t need verticals in the corner. To prevent bowing, just build slightly shorter beds. Great advice here.
Love my 3’ wide bed! Did have 4’, but when all plants are full I had to step in to harvest…compacting my soil.
I'm building my first bed and I'm doing 6 by 3 and even 3 is difficult to reach all the way to the plants in the back... Especially since my bed is nearly against the side of my home
Thank you 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Fantastic info on this, ty
I just inherited pressure treated wood perfectly sized to make me 2 raised beds, and have been hedging about it, being pressure treated. A little research, and arsenic hasn't been used since 2003; it's now copper. And another video gave the tip to staple plastic to the inside of the treated wood. Totally going to do this! Thank you!
Phyllis KuanYin Chi Most treated lumber is tagged. I suggest you look up the actual preservative on Wikipedia to learn about it. CCA also used copper, along with the arsenic. More modern treatments often use copper in a different form. The plastic is a good idea.
Yes make sure it's damp-proof membrane so it's not water permeable plastic. You may not even need to staple it and avoid holes because as you place the dirt inside the bed it will press against the plastic. I guess it's sensible to anticipate the water in the bed transporting different compounds through the substrate.
So true about the box stores cutting the boards for you! I had them cut my boards in half to 4ft for my smaller yard and the bonus of fitting the boards in my car!
The downside is that not all the boards are cut evenly, but fortunately it’s just a garden bed. 😃
This is the best raised bed tutorial that I’ve seen. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for another clear and simple informative video. I just acquired a second garden plot in my community garden and came here for tips when I am starting new raised beds in autumn.
Just finished mine. Turned out great. Getting prepared for next year. Now I have covid, so, kinda tired, hopefully I'll be better soon so I can fill the beds.
Scott you’re a certified treasure
This channel is amazing! I wish I had found this years ago! So glad I have found it now!
Great video. A couple things that you can do to keep from stripping the heads is use square drive heads. Also another pad woodworking tip is to run the screw across a bar of soap. It will lubricator the screw and will go in using much less torque which is what strips out the heads.
Tanks for the tip!
I use a small 7/64" drill for drilling a pilot hole for the screws. I also use the soap trick. Sometimes I wet the surface of the bar of soap if it flakes off too much.
Fantastic ! Explained very simply. You motivate your listeners
Lumber is through the roof right now. I built 3 raised beds about 5 years ago at my parents house and it cost next to nothing. I went out to Home Depot today to spec everything out for my own back yard and the wood alone was going to be around $500. I think I will spend this year working on my landscaping and prep and then build the beds once lumber prices come back down to normal.
i am using barn wood from feed troughs from barn where roof collapsed from snow.
I don't know if the price will come back down. Maybe find a local place where wood is milled.
It will probably be less expensive and instead of feeding some major corporation, you can feed your neighbor.
Just a small suggestion.
Or look around for someone removing an old house. It could be free or less costly.
If you don't have anything like that near you. You'll have to do what you can. You might ask the box stores if they have any damaged lumber. Then work with that.
Last year we remodeled our guest bathroom. I was looking at some pricey tile. Then I saw some that were damaged. I inquired about that. I was able to get the damaged pieces free. Exactly, I bought a few that were not damaged where it would be pleasing to have the full pieces. The ones under the toilet had to be cut to fit. So we used the broken ones where they would have to be cut. I saved a fortune.
Wishing you luck 🤞
Thank you for being patient and not rushing through.
Love how clearly you explained it. And thanks for dumbing it down for novices like me.
Thanks a lot to show me how to make a vegi bed by myself. Greatest idea. Thank you. Shafi. Houston. Texas
Love the screw tip. So glad I watched this first before building my beds.
one youtube the guy drilled large whole like 4/8? and countersank 3" screws.
Not just how, but also why. Very good!
Of all the videos i have watched on similar subject, this was fantastic and very easy to follow. Now i feel more confident to do it by myself, thanks Scott, you are the man.
Yes, very helpful. Just a tad bit long. Needs to follow a script to keep these videos brief
Thank you for sharing Mr. Scott. That was a great tutorial 👍
I was on the fence, so to speak. But your wonderful tutorial convinced me to do raised beds! Thank you.
Just “found” you on you tube. I planted a garden and love it. I realize I have made mistakes and that is ok. Already thinking about how to make it better next year
I found the easiest way to get raised beds I just drive around neighborhoods on Saturday and Sunday and look for thrown away dressers flip them on their back and have perfect spaces for raised beds
Raised beds have open bottoms, using a dresser would be a container garden. Great idea though, if it's a hard wood !
Thank you for making a clear and detailed video on how to build a raised bed. It has helped me build mine today!
That's great! I'm so glad to help.
Thanks, great video! Going to work on a few tomorrow for my 8 yr old son who js showing some serious interest in gardening as of lately :)
Thank you for the thorough explanation! You’ve solidified my ideas!
Never mind. You did say that the bottom row is treated. Kudos from a part of the country where termites carry chain saws.
Thanks for showing where and how the screws are to be placed. Being a new person to tools and making garden beds, this was really helpful knowledge!
When putting screws so close to the end of the board, ideally you should drill holes first so as not to split the board.
All depends on the screws you buy. Spending abit more saves alot of time
You can also put the screw in reverse and push it in and then put in forwards to drive it in
Thanks, that's what I did per your advice.
I just learned that trick from my husband, who taught me that it’s called a pilot hole. I’m stupidly proud of myself for knowing that. 😂
Searched and watched because I want to build raised beds of my own. Subscribed because I like your presentation style.
Thanks, Matthew. Welcome to the channel!
This season will be my first raised garden. Thanks for the simple, easy to follow instructions for making a raised bed. My back yard is a hill, so my dilemma is where to place it. Also needs to be a sunny area I assume. I have a flat surface up by my chicken coop but the area has alot of trees & I have rabbits & occasional deer.
There are some videos concerning raised beds on a slope. It is a bit more work, but probably less work that trying to flatten out a spot of land.
How to keep deer out of your raised garden?
Thank you so much! You make it look like something even I could make!
I like that corner reinforcement you did.
Great information..I'm building my first raised garden bed..Thank you..
Preparing my move to gardening ... Thanks Scott for this crystal clear explanation even for a newbie like me.
Great job ,didn't have the slightest idea how this is done,someone is going to make one for me, he told me I needed post for the corners, he was correct 👍
If you use pressure treated wood ( a bit scary, I use cedar.) use coated exterior screws or stainless. Regular fasteners are corroded by pressure treated chemicals.
Thank you very much. I'm living in the Caribbean, GUYANA 🇬🇾💯👍🏿. I will be following your guide. I don't have much space but i have enough. I'm a female. Thanks YOU my friend
One year and 5 months later this video still keeps on teaching! Thank you gardener Scott! I love your attendtion to detail and you have made my life easier because of it! Subscribed today...;O)
Thanks, Melanie. Welcome to the channel!
Your an awesome teacher you teach me so much. Thank you and please keep making your videos so understandable
Thank you again for your comments on the raised bed. I like it a lot and will definitely used it in my garden.
Raised beds are the way to go. They allow you to build up rich soil, provide plants with protection from wind and can become the foundation for protective structures like cloches and mini-greenhouses in a cold climate like ours.
I am starting my raised bed project today.
Made this today, using decking (only way I can seem to get wood the right shape).
Am a total beginner but it worked great.
Oh - and if I did it again I would make absolutely sure that the boards were exactly the same length before starting - there was enough variation to make the shapes not quite perfect.
Excellent detail in your video! Personally, I would not use redwood. It takes millenia to grow a magnifent redwood tree and a few days to convert it into lumber and wood chips.
I love this video. You explained everything totally well. Thank you for sharing.
Thankyou Scott your tutorial made the process look so easy. Especially the ends being half the length of the sides
Glad it was helpful!
There are many other possible combinations. For example, with 12 foot boards, you can cut 4 ft off the end of each and end up with two 4 ft x 8 ft boxes.
Just shop for the best price, sometimes there is a sizable difference in price per linear foot. Yes, I have sometimes found longer boards that were less expensive than their shorter equivalent.
Thanks ! I did it your way and it works !
Great video to help encourage people to get started in raised beds. I spent years gardening the hard way and then many years ago built raised beds. The only difference as I age is my new beds and replacements are being built taller. My original beds were 2x10 rough cedar and the new ones are two levels of 2x10 or about 19" tall. I put my 4x4's on the 4' ends and then place the long boards on the inside of that. It creates 41" beds inside which I find perfect. I place a 2x6 across the top of the long boards and screw it into the top of the 4x4's to create a nice "bench" to work from. Also, I still think wood is the cheapest long term solution. The galvanized steel beds rust out faster than my cedar beds rot. If you are going to garden for decades, then build beds!
Very nice and simple! Thanks! I only have enough space to place these in an area with yard sprinklers.have to build a quick shield on watering days...especially in Texas heat...
May I recommend using a ratchet drill, and square or star but scress. Great teacher. Thanjs.
Thank you so much for sharing , I had the general idea but this helped so much
3rd video that I watch & wow I've learn so much already! Thank you for your time and knowledge 🌱💚
I don't have a circular saw yet but this made me much more confident in building my own beds :)
Thank you that is a great demonstration & explanation. I am going to try and build my own at home over the weekend.
Thank you! About to make upgrade to my raised garden beds in Northern Nevada
An impact driver works wonders!!
I was looking for this comment 😂
So do Robertson or Square Drive screws. One or the other should be available in stainless steel. If the local big box store does not have them in stock, they should be able to order them for you - or you can order them on-line.
Very clearly and precisely explained every singel details and perspective you need to know! Very helpful!
Big like to this video sir! I learned a lot on how to make my own raised bed garden!
Thank you, Shey. I'm glad it was helpful.
amazing explanations. i never gave any thought about how i screwed the sides. now i know to screw in a way that there will be less likely to pull out the screw under bow pressure. thank you.
This is pretty much the way I've built my raised beds with the exception that I also brace the middle of the 8ft lengths. 2x4's work well in the middle and I run a 4ft 2x4 cross ways in the middle and attach it to the two vertical 2x4 braces screwed into my 8ft 2x6's or 2x8's.
Maybe a little over kill, but I like the extra strength insurance against the bed "bowing" in the middle.
I also have used recycled decking boards to make 3x3 or 4x4 raised beds.They hold up for several years and I like the smaller beds for different vegetables and flowers, keeping them seperate from the rest of the garden. To each his own I guess.
Thanks for a well made and presented video.
Thank you.
Excellent teaching style. Slow and and easy to understand. Thanks for showing video evidence of the price of wood! :-)
Thanks from the North!
You answer so many or my questions.
Great systémic approch.
Thank you for such a simple and easy to understand video! I’m new to this and not very handy but your video seems very easy to follow. Thank you for keeping it simple!
Another great video!Thank you for taking time to do this much appreciated.
You're very welcome.
@@GardenerScott thank you. You have such a wonderful way of explaining authoritatively and simply without missing anything. I really appreciate your maner of instruction and complete showing videos of how you do what you say and I'm building my raised beds today
I gave my boards two coats of wood preserver and lined the inside by stapling pond liner around the interior.
Torx headed deck screws for the win!
In Canada, we use “Robertson” screws.. Americans call them square head. Not sure why that doesn’t catch on …
@@robgroen3571 we have those too but theres always some dummy that tries to use a Phillips bit on them which just rounds the bit and fastener out.
T25 screws
Thanks For Explaining So Well About How To Build One Of These. I Really Like This Video.
Your videos are awesome, I can’t wait for spring now!
Thank you very much. Me too!
Thanks Scott. Found this just in time as I am thinking of doing this ready for next spring
i LOVE IT!! Just what I needed to feel confident in starting to build my garden beds. Thanks Gardener Scott!! :-)
You're welcome!
Thank you
For anyone with limited leaning ability, try a 7" by 3" bed made from ten foot boards.
Do you mean 3'x7'? 3"x7" is three inches by seven inches
I have recently found your channel and enjoy your teaching style very much. Thank you for the wonderful information.
Hello sir! I am constructing new beds based on your videos! I have already learned so much! One question, do I need to use hardware cloth or chicken wire under my beds for rodents? I do not think that I have many voles or gophers around me. What are your thoughts?
Chicken wire under the beds, on the ground, is a GREAT idea. Rabbits, voles, and woodchucks can dig underground very well and then up and into garden beds.
This is a sensible information thanks for sharing
Thanks for that, sir. i'm going to build and try with raised bed in my garden in Poland. Cheers.
Best of luck!
What's old is new again. My son's customer told him about the lasagna method and the internet tells me the Germans were doing this long before that. Thanks for the guidance Scott, this is excellent. We have room for five in my gone fallow back garden and my grandfather, the marine steam engineer/carpenter/master gardener would have been all over this!
Thanks for sharing!
very informative and appreciated but i noticed you struggling with the philips screws ,i use robertsons screws which are a lot easier to use and far superior thanks again .
Good suggestion. I am shifting to other screws after I use up the boxes I have now.
Good idea!It would be an easier way to screw it in!
Thanks.
Just found your videos and they’re great! Thank you... I think I’ve watched most of them already! Newly subscribed too. We have a whole pile of 4x4” fence posts of various lengths (2ft to 4ft lengths) just taking up space in our garden. We now intend on building raised beds 6ft x 3ft and about 2ft high. They’ll end up as a patchwork of wood and I was wondering if you have any tips on the best way to join the lengths end to end for the long sides. Your expert advice would be appreciated!
Thanks! I would stagger the joints on the long sides and nail each layer to the one below it. Here's my video that shows how I did that with 4x4s to make a bed: th-cam.com/video/eyT7SSE3bD4/w-d-xo.html I used long boards, but the process of nailing would be the same.
For anybody thinking of constructing these timber raised beds. The original beds I made used three layers of 12 foot treated timber , 7" x 1 1/2". However, these did eventually rot and the beds needed replacement.
The second time I constructed the beds I lined the insides of the timber with heavy gauge plastic to reduce the exposure of the timber to damp soil. In fact I used builders damp proof course fixed with galvanised clout nails. Hopefully this will extend the life of the beds.
How many years usage did you get before needing to replace?
Thank you! Scott
Your the best. Excellent video. Awesome tips and ideas. Your very knowledgeable in your craft and so thorough. I’m super excited about building my first garden bed
Very informative video, thanks! One question, I noticed you did not have your 4x4’s extend to be place in the ground for stability. Any reasons to or not to put the 4x4 support posts into the ground? It seems the garden “boxes” would be heavy and stable enough, but have noticed others extending their 4x4’s 10 or more inches into the ground. Thanks for the tips!
The bed is heavy and needs little stabilization. With it in place I usually have a an inch of two or soil around the base on the outside along with mulch in the path and it stays in place.
Hi Gardener Scott, I’ll echo what others have said - this video is spot on for helping me build my three tier raised beds and answers questions like the interrelationship between screwing the boards together and screwing them to a supporting posts. So thanks so much. There’s just one thing - my tall planters are going to be very heavy and I was going to place them on 5cm of gravel but I’m concerned about them sinking into the ground long term and looking uneven next to each other. I also don’t want to place the bottoms on bare earth and increase the chance of rotting there. It’s the only thing I wish you’d covered - the options and issues for ground placement. Thanks again!
When I've placed tall or heavy pots in my landscape, I placed a pad of bricks in the soil first. I leveled the bricks and then placed the pots on top. Surrounded by mulch or gravel, they become invisible, but are a firm support. I've also used this technique on some of my raised beds with concrete squares under the corners.
@@GardenerScott You are a star G. Scott, many thanks for the prompt reply. As these are big troughs, I think I’ll try concrete squares as I have some handy. Cheers from the UK.
I have a question. Do you or anyone recommend also putting 4 by 4 pieces in the center to help hold the long sides? Is it necessary? Same process?
Thanks for such a great step by step tutorial!
It usually isn't necessary. The base of the boards rest in soil and rarely bow out.
1: torx head screws don’t strip
2: a small diagonal corner brace is far stronger than the post
3 you can run a bottom cord on the flat from long side to long side to keep the bottom from spreading (2x4 is plenty)
I am not handy at all and this was my first real project, so I wanted to note that obviously it does take quite a bit longer than the 15 minute video. While it looked like it would be a snap to do, it took some effort. Here are some things a novice like me learned:
1. Lowe's wouldn't cut the 4X4 but they were willing to cut the 2X8s in half.
2. I used a hand saw to cut the 4X4 which worked fine.
3. 8' boards can be tough to get into a vehicle. I have a Volvo station wagon and it worked okay, though.
4. It is hard to line up the wood for drilling in the screws if your ground is uneven at all. If you can do it on a flat surface then move it, probably better.
5. Phillips head wood screws did not work well with power drill due to 'cam out' (a term I learned!). Torx head wood screws worked well.
6. It worked much better to first drill a smaller pilot hole in the end pieces before drilling in screws. The screws don't go crooked if you start them in the pilot hole.
Also a novice. I am at number 5 on your list and just got some torx head drill bits. I'll do the pilot holes first like you said. Thank you for posting this!
due to arthritis I built 2 elevated beds just like these but on legs and with a bottom; one I have made from reclaimed steel siding; and one out of treated lumber; one has a wire hoop over it and right now is covered with floating row cover to protect kale seedlings from extreme heat here in N TX; I love your videos
Thank you, Tracy. I am doing more high beds to make it easier on me too.
Hey just wanted to add something.
If you look closely at the boards you can see a blueish green tint at 6:06 .
This usually means this board has been treated with a fungicide to prevent rotting in outdoor usage. You need to decide if you care about this. As fungi are an important part of soil organisms, your soil health MAY be affected