How to Build a Raised Garden Bed

Select a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily — most vegetables and herbs need full sun. Avoid low-lying areas where water collects and spots near large trees whose roots will compete with your plants. Consider proximity to your garden hose or water source.

For a standard 4'×8' bed you need: 2 long sides at 8 feet (no cutting needed from 8' boards) and 2 short ends at 4 feet (cut two 8' boards in half). Cedar is easy to cut with a circular saw or even a handsaw. If you don't own a saw, most hardware stores will make cuts for a small fee.

Use stakes and string to mark out a 4'×8' rectangle. Remove any grass or weeds inside the footprint — either dig them out with a spade or cut them flush and let the weed fabric do the work. Loosen the native soil inside with a garden fork to improve drainage.

Pre-drilling prevents cedar from splitting. Drill two 3/32" pilot holes at each corner joint. Butt the short (4') end boards against the inside face of the long boards at each corner and drive two 2.5" screws through the long board into the end grain. Check each corner is 90° with a carpenter's square before fully tightening.

Set the assembled frame in position. Place a level on each side — both long and short — and adjust until the frame sits flat. Dig out high corners or shim low corners with flat stones or gravel. A level bed ensures uniform water distribution and prevents one end from pooling.

Line the inside bottom and partway up the walls with landscape fabric (not black plastic sheeting — it blocks drainage). Overlap any seams by at least 6 inches and secure to the inside wall with a staple gun. The fabric allows water and earthworms to pass through while blocking weeds from growing up from below.

A 4'×8'×8" bed needs roughly 18 cubic feet of growing medium. A proven mix: 60% quality topsoil, 30% compost or aged manure, 10% coarse perlite or sand for drainage. Fill to within 1 inch of the top. Water thoroughly and let settle 24 hours before planting — you'll likely need to add more soil after the first settlement.