Raised garden bed plans

This step by step diy woodworking project is about raised garden bed plans. If you want to learn how to build a basic square raised garden bed, we recommend you to pay attention to the instructions described in the article and to check out the related projects. There are many outdoor projects featured on our site, so don’t be afraid to browse through the rest of the woodworking plans.

Before starting the actual construction project, we recommend you to plan everything, as to save money and to keep the costs under control. Adjust the size and the design of the garden bed to suit your needs. In addition, we recommend you to invest in high-quality materials, such as pine, redwood or cedar, as they have a nice finish and are highly durable, especially in a humid environment.

It is essential to invest in high quality materials, that are also water-resistant, such as pressure-treated lumber. Cut the components at the right size by using a circular saw and smooth the cut edges with a sand block. Don’t forget to ask a skilled friend to assist you during the project, especially if you don’t have a large expertise in the field. You need someone to hold the components into place, while you drive the screws in. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

Made from this plan

Building a raised garden bed

Materials

A – 4 piece of 2×8 lumber – 45″ long, 4 pieces – 48″ long SLATS
B – 12 piece of 2×4 lumber – 14 1/2″ long SUPPORTS
C – 4 pieces of 2×4 – 51″ long TRIMS

4 pieces of 2×8 lumber – 8 ft
2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 10 ft
2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8 ft
2 1/2″ screws

Tools

Safety gloves, glasses
Miter saw, jigsaw
Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
Drill machinery and drill bits

Tips

Use a good miter saw to make the angle cuts
Drill pilot holes before inserting the screws

Time

One Week

Building a raised garden bed

Preparing the site

The first step of the project is to select the location for the raised garden bed. Therefore, mark the location and remove the grass layer using a shovel. Afterwards, level the surface and and remove the excess material.

Building the sides

Continue the project by assembling the sides of the raised garden bed. Therefore, cut the slats out of 2×8 lumber at the right size. Smooth the edges with fine-grit sandpaper and remove the residues using a damp cloth. Lay the slats on a level surface and leave no gaps between them. Lock them together by fitting a 2×4 support to the middle of the slats, as described in the diagram. Drill pilot holes and insert a few 2 1/2″ screws.

Assembling the frame

Assembling the frame of the garden bed is a straight forward process, but you need to pay attention to a few aspects. Align the walls with great care, making sure the edges are flush and the corners are right-angled. Drill pilot holes at both ends of the 48″ long slats and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the perpendicular components. Leave no gaps between the components and double check if all the joints are rigid.

Fitting the corner supports

In order to add strength to the frame of the garden bed, we recommend you to fit 2×4 supports to the corners, as described in the diagram. Cut one vertical edge of the supports at 45 degrees and secure them to the slats, as described in the diagram, using 2 1/2″ screws. Pre-drill the components before inserting the screws, to prevent the wood from splitting.

Fitting he trims

In order to enhance the look of the woodworking project, we recommend you to attach 2×4 trims to the top of the raised garden planter. Cut both ends of the trims at 45 degrees and secure them to the structure using 2 1/2″ screws. Leave no gaps between the components and make sure the head of the screws are not protruding.

Raised garden bed plans

Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. Fill the holes with wood filler and let it to dry out for several hours. Check out the rest of the parts of the woodworking project, to learn more about building the raised garden bed.

Smart tip: Apply several coats of stain or paint to the wooden components, if you want to protect them from decay and to enhance the look of the wooden garden bed. If you want to download the plans. just click on the GET PDF PLANS button bellow.

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