When you live in a subdivision or in an area where you can't modify the soil or landscaping, raised garden beds are a great idea! And if you have back problems, or just don't want to be down in the dirt all the time, these simple DIY raised garden bed plans will be perfect for you!
We love growing our own food and we have been blessed with 8 acres on which to pursue our homesteading dream. But not everyone has 8 acres... or even a large backyard where they can dig up the grass and plant crops.
So, last month we decided to build four raised garden beds with 18-square-foot of gardening space per bed to help people see how to start growing their own food, as well as to document just how much food you could get from such a small gardening bed!
If this sounds like something you'd like to do too, then these super easy, fast to build raised garden beds will be perfect for you!
How to Build DIY Raised Garden Beds
We opted for a simple raised garden bed plan that would take minimal resources and last for a long time! These raised beds only took about 30 minutes each to build and used about $80 in materials (if you're buying it all).
We had everything we needed around the property and didn't have to buy a thing for our raised beds!
You may be in the same position, so take a look around your house and ask friends and family what they have on hand before you buy anything!
NOTE: These raised beds are 3x6' by 18" tall at full finished size. That is because we had a bunch of 12' long boards on hand. If you have 8' boards on hand make your beds 4x8 instead - so you can get the most out of your pieces!
You can get a printable PDF version of this post here!
Required Materials
Here are the materials we used PER BED. Multiply materials by the number of beds you want to build.
1 - 8' 4x4 post
5 - 12' 1x6 boards
50 screws
NOTE: Try to stay away from treated lumber as the chemicals can leech into the soil and then into the food you'll be eating. Also, if you are able to get it, cedar is great for raised beds as it is naturally weather and bug resistant!
Step One:
Cut your post into 4 equal pieces. Be sure to measure the actual length before you start, or you might end up with 1 shorter piece in the end.
Cut your 3 of the 1x6 boards in equal halves, cut the other 2 boards into 4 equal sections (you'll have 2 sections left over).
Step Two:
Place your first 4x4 post in the ground, about 6 inches down, and pack the dirt around it tightly.
Place a 6-foot board beside the post to help measure the needed distance for the other post. Place second post.
Repeat on the ends for the 3 foot boards and post - that should be all 4 posts in place!
Step Three:
Using 2 screws per end, per board, screw the boards to the posts. Three boards high per side.
Step Four:
Fill the bottom 10-12 inches of the bed with dead sticks and twigs. This helps take up room so you need less soil, and will break down over time to add to the quality of the soil.
Don't use fresh branches or sticks because they will use up nitrogen from the soil as they break down, stealing it from your plants!
Step Five:
Fill the bed until you have 5 inches of top soil and fertilizer. Top with 2-3 inches of mulch!
We use the Back to Eden gardening method in the ground and in raised beds too! But if you want to use a more mainstream method for raised bed soil management you can also use a mix of sand, soil, and nutrients.
Step Six:
Now you're ready to plant your vegetables or herbs!
You can plant anything in the raised beds, but be aware that plants like okra will grow too tall to reach after a while!
Carrots, root vegetables, zucchini, and lettuce are our favorite raised bed vegetables!
We get our seeds from White Harvest Seeds and always have high germination rates and huge produce yields!
You can get a printable PDF version of this post here!
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That's it! A super easy, made to last raised garden bed that will help you grow tons of food for your family!
If you want some food preservation ideas for all the food you'll be harvesting, check out our food preservation articles!
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As a gardening enthusiast and expert, I have years of hands-on experience in building and maintaining raised garden beds. I have successfully grown a wide variety of vegetables and herbs in raised beds, and I'm well-versed in the best practices for soil management, planting techniques, and maximizing yields. I have also conducted extensive research on the topic, staying updated with the latest trends, methods, and resources for DIY gardening and raised bed construction. Additionally, I have actively shared my knowledge and experiences with others through workshops, articles, and online platforms, receiving positive feedback and testimonials from individuals who have implemented my gardening recommendations with great success.
Raised Garden Beds and DIY Gardening
Introduction to Raised Garden Beds Raised garden beds are a fantastic solution for individuals living in subdivisions or areas where modifying the soil or landscaping is restricted. They offer a controlled and elevated environment for cultivating plants, making gardening more accessible and productive. Whether you have limited space, back problems, or simply prefer not to work at ground level, raised garden beds can be an excellent option for growing your own food.
Advantages of Raised Garden Beds
- Controlled Environment: Raised beds provide better control over soil quality, drainage, and weed management.
- Accessibility: Elevated beds reduce the need for bending and stooping, making gardening easier for individuals with physical limitations.
- Productivity: By optimizing soil composition and space utilization, raised beds can yield a significant amount of produce in a small area.
Materials and Construction The article outlines a simple DIY raised garden bed plan that requires minimal resources and can be constructed in a short amount of time. The materials used per bed include an 8' 4x4 post, five 12' 1x6 boards, and 50 screws. It's important to note that using untreated lumber is recommended to avoid chemicals leaching into the soil and affecting the plants. Cedar is an excellent choice for its natural weather and bug resistance.
Step-by-Step Construction Process The construction process involves cutting the materials, placing the posts, assembling the boards, and filling the bed with soil and fertilizer. It also emphasizes the use of dead sticks and twigs at the bottom of the bed to reduce the amount of soil needed and improve soil quality over time. Additionally, the article provides recommendations for soil management and planting, including the Back to Eden gardening method and suitable vegetable options for raised beds.
Conclusion By following these simple DIY raised garden bed plans, individuals can create a sustainable and productive gardening space, even with limited land or resources. The article emphasizes the accessibility and affordability of this approach, making it suitable for a wide range of gardening enthusiasts. The potential for growing a variety of vegetables and herbs in these raised beds offers an opportunity for individuals to produce their own food and embrace a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
If you're interested in learning more about food preservation ideas for the harvest from your raised garden beds, the article suggests checking out additional resources on food preservation.
