How to Build a Raised Garden

• 1). Clear an 8-foot by 4-foot patch for your raised garden. Slightly loosen the topsoil in the cleared area, then level the surface.
  
  
• 2). Cut one of the 8-foot lengths of lumber into two 4-foot lengths.
  
  
• 3). Paint or stain the lumber if you desire. You do not need to paint or stain pressure-treated lumber because it is chemically treated to resist rot. However, if you use nontreated lumber or simply want your bed a different color, add the paint or stain now.
  
  
• 4). Dry fit the lumber to form the bed. Do this in the location the bed will be set up. Have a partner hold the two 8-foot lengths of lumber while you set the two 4-foot lengths at each end. This forms the rectangle that will be the raised garden.
  
  
• 5). Drill three evenly spaced holes one inch from the edge of each side of the 4-foot lengths of lumber and into the edges of the 8-foot lengths that are butted up to the 4-foot lengths. Drill one inch deep into the 8-foot lengths.
  
  
• 6). Use the lag bolts to secure the 4-foot lengths to the longer sides of your bed. Insert the lag bolts into the holes and tighten the lag bolts with a ratchet.
  
  
• 7). Fill the raised garden with soil. This 8-by-4 foot garden will hold between 26 and 32 cubic feet of soil.