Building a raised garden bed system is an easy way grow vegetables or flowers with fewer weeds, better water retention and drainage, and warmer soil for extended growing seasons. With our easy-to-follow raised bed plan, you can craft multiple neat and contained growing spaces in just one day. In just one weekend you can create a yard full of fresh greens and flowers. If you have limited space or need to expand your growing area, simply alter the cut list measurements for your side pieces to create smaller or larger dimensions for your DIY raised garden beds – the core concepts and details of the plan are the same.

While making a DIY raised garden bed, keep in mind the final form and function of your piece. The straightforward corner trim detail in our raised garden bed plans covers the sidepiece end grain and reinforces the corners for a clean, functional look. Additionally, our plan does not use weatherproof glue, which will lead to an eventual curled, “weathered barn,” look with somewhat loose joints. Not your style? You can opt for weatherproof glue to preserve the original look of the box. When finishing your DIY raised garden bed project, landscape fabric should be stapled to the bottom to keep your potting mix in place while allowing adequate drainage for your plantings. (Proper drainage is critical for plant health because it ensures necessary aeration for the soil to avoid root rot.)

And remember, raised garden beds don’t have to stay out on the lawn – you can also build a garden box for the patio or deck to create a little herb garden right outside your door (or consider ourDIY planter box plan).