DIY Sturdy Raised Garden Bed For Around $20

Spring is here and that means it’s time to be out in the yard more often doing yard work. It’s so rewarding to create a backyard space that you can hang out in and enjoy during spring and summer evening or when hosting pool parties or BBQs…whatever!

I have been creating my back yard oasis and a little “secret garden.” My mother has one and so does my grandmother. I have been planting herbs and vegetables so that I can have things that I cook with often at my fingertips…and grown organically. I decided that I wanted to build two raised beds right outside of my secret garden and right outside my backdoor.

They were very easy to build and I actually did it all by myself. Ladies, time to strap up and be handy! It is also rewarding being able to build something all your own and I am sharing a tutorial on how you can build one yourself. It’s quite easy!

I wanted mine to be around 24″ x 36″ for my space. You can adjust the dimension to your liking, but you might also have to do your math differently. To create one like mine, you will need:

• one pressure treated 5/4 x 6″ x 12′ (a 12 foot long, 6 inch wide and 5/4 thick board
• one pressure treated 5/4 x 6″ x 8′
• six 2″ x 2″ x 24″ stakes
• 2″ screws

I purchased all of my supplies from Home Depot and I had them cut my boards before I left so that my job was much easier once I got home. I had them cut the 12′ board into 4 equal parts (36″) and I had them cut the 8′ board into 4 equal parts (24″).

Begin by screwing the end of one of your short pieces flush from the top and flush from the side of one of the stakes. (I did the long ends and wish I had done the short ends just for aesthetics). Do this at both ends of your short piece. Add another short board below this one and attach.

Once you have that done, repeat with the other end piece with your short pieces.

Then attach one of your long pieces flush with the edge and top of your end piece. Repeat on the other end then add a board below it and attach. Do this on the other side until you have a complete box.

Add your two remaining stakes on the inside center of your long sides. These will provide support against the weight of the soil.

Finally, dig holes where your stakes will go then plant your bed in the ground and fill in any gaps around the stakes. Add soil and plants and you are done!!

It’s seriously one of the easiest things I’ve ever made. You could cut out the stakes and just attach the boards together at the ends, but I think the stakes add support that will keep your bed sturdy and solid for many many years.

I used the Nature’s Care raised bed soil. It’s organic and does not require any mixing.