Landscaping · Beginner
How to Build a Raised Garden Bed
A cedar 4x8 raised bed that will last 10+ years, in one afternoon.
- • Drill/driver
- • Circular saw
- • Level
- • Shovel
- • Measuring tape
- • Cedar 2x8 or 2x10 boards
- • 3" exterior screws
- • Landscape fabric
- • Cardboard
- • Soil (60% topsoil, 30% compost, 10% peat/coco)
- 1
Choose the site
6+ hours of sun for most vegetables. Level ground makes assembly easier — a few inches of slope is fine, more needs terracing.
- 2
Cut boards
Two 8-ft boards (long sides), two 4-ft boards (short sides). Stack two courses tall for a 15-16" bed depth.
- 3
Assemble
Butt short boards inside the long boards. Drive 3 screws per corner per course, pre-drilling to avoid splits.
- 4
Prep the ground
Lay cardboard directly on grass (kills sod naturally), then landscape fabric on the underside if you have burrowing pests.
- 5
Fill with soil mix
60% topsoil, 30% compost, 10% peat or coco coir. Water in as you fill to remove air pockets. Top up after a week of settling.
Safety note: this guide is educational. Always follow local building codes, pull required permits, and hire a licensed pro for structural, electrical, gas or plumbing work when in doubt.
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