How to Build a Raised Bed Cheap and Easy: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Welcome back, Growers! James Prigioni here, coming to you live from Jersey. You might know me best for my food forests, but today, I want to show you another great way to grow your food — building a cheap and easy raised bed for your garden. Whether starting your first garden or looking for ways to expand, this method is both budget-friendly and beginner-friendly. Let’s dive into the details and get your garden growing!

Why Build a Raised Bed?

Raised beds have become popular for gardeners of all skill levels, and for good reason! Here are some compelling benefits:

1. Improved Soil Control: Raised beds allow you to bypass poor soil conditions like heavy clay or rocky terrain by giving you control over your growing medium. This is key to achieving optimal plant growth.
2. Less Root Competition: Raised beds help keep your plants’ roots away from tree roots and invasive shrubs, giving your veggies the best chance to thrive.
3. Space Maximization: If you have a small yard, patio, or urban garden, raised beds help you make the most of every square foot. You can grow more in less space, especially with vertical gardening techniques.
4. Accessibility: Raised beds are a back-saver! They make gardening easier by elevating the soil and reducing the need to bend over or kneel.
5. Fewer Weeds and Pests: A raised bed allows you to control what goes into your soil and reduce weed pressure. The raised height can deter some pests from easily reaching your crops.

Materials You’ll Need

The beauty of building a raised bed is that it doesn’t require a ton of expensive materials. Here’s what you’ll need for a 10” tall large 4x8ft raised bed:

• 3 boards of 2x10 lumber (8 feet long each)
• 3 boards of 2x4 lumber (8 feet long each)
• 3-inch deck screws (weather-resistant)

Estimated material cost ($50-$60 in wood and screws), not including tools.

Tools needed include: Skill saw, or hand saw (or have the wood cut at your local store) and Drill or screwdriver.

Pro Tip: When choosing wood, opt for untreated lumber to avoid any chemicals leaching into your soil. Cedar or redwood is more durable and rot-resistant, making it a great choice if you can invest a little more.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Build Your Raised Bed

1. Choose and Prepare Your Location

Start by selecting a sunny spot in your garden since most vegetables need 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. If your chosen spot is grassy, don’t worry. Lay down cardboard or contractor’s paper over the grass to suppress weeds. This also serves as a biodegradable weed barrier.

2. Cut Your Lumber

Next, cut your lumber to the appropriate sizes for your raised bed. For a standard 4x8 foot raised bed, you’ll cut two 2x10 boards in half, giving you the four side pieces.

• The 2x4 boards will be used for additional corner support and a top railing (perfect for sitting or resting tools on).

If you’re uncomfortable cutting the wood yourself, most home improvement stores offer wood-cutting services—just bring your measurements!

3. Assemble the Frame

Now, it’s time to assemble the raised bed frame directly where you want it. This will save you from having to move an entirely constructed bed, which can be heavy.

• Pre-drill holes in the wood to prevent it from splitting, especially if you're working with softer wood like pine.
• Use 3-inch deck screws to secure the boards together at the corners. If you’re using cedar or redwood, the screws will hold up better in outdoor conditions.

Adding the 2x4s along the top edge is practical and adds stability and durability to the bed. Plus, having a ledge to sit on makes gardening much more comfortable!

4. Reinforce the Corners

To strengthen your raised bed, add corner supports (also known as cleats). These are small, leftover pieces of wood that are screwed into the inside corners. This simple step can extend the life of your raised bed, especially if it’s exposed to the elements year-round.

5. Level Your Raised Bed

Before filling it with soil, make sure your raised bed is level. This is critical to ensure that water doesn’t pool in one area, which can cause uneven plant growth. Adjust the ground beneath the frame as needed to level the bed.

6. Fill Your Raised Bed with Soil

The quality of the soil is the foundation of a successful raised bed garden. For optimal growth, I recommend using a soil mix that provides structure, nutrients, and water retention:

1. Peat moss or coconut coir to help retain moisture.
2. Black leaf mulch (which you can often get free from your local municipality) for organic matter.
3. Homemade compost or high-quality store-bought compost to add essential nutrients.

Pro Tip: If you want to follow our recipe, watch our video on how to create your own soil mix here.

Final Touches and Planting

Once your raised bed is filled with soil, you're ready to plant! Raised beds are great for intensive gardening, which means growing crops closer together to maximize your harvest. Choose crops that thrive in your climate, like tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, or root vegetables.

Maintenance Tips for Your Raised Bed

• Monitor Moisture: Raised beds drain faster than in-ground gardens, so you’ll need to water more frequently, especially during hot weather.
• Add Mulch for Moisture Retention: A layer of organic mulch, like straw or wood chips, helps retain moisture and keeps the soil temperature consistent. Mulch also suppresses weeds, reducing maintenance.
• Replenish the Soil: At the end of the season, add a fresh layer of compost to keep the soil nutrient-rich and ready for the next planting.

The Benefits of Raised Beds

In my years of gardening, raised beds have been a total game-changer. They’re more efficient and provide a controlled environment where you can manage soil quality, irrigation, and plant spacing. They’re perfect for urban gardens, small backyards, and beginners who want a low-maintenance, productive garden setup. If you wish for your raised bed to last 20+ years, check out our Metal Raised Beds!

Wrapping It Up

That’s it for today, Growers! Building a raised bed is a cost-effective, simple, and sustainable way to start or expand your gardening space. Whether working with a large backyard or a small patio, raised beds are a fantastic way to grow your food.

If you found this guide helpful, please like, subscribe, and share it with your friends! Check out our merch below, and remember, every purchase supports our mission to help more people start growing their food.

Stay tuned for more tips and tricks from me and Tuck. We’ll be back soon with another video to keep your garden thriving!

Tuck and James are signing off. We out! 🌿