Elevate Your Garden Game With Raised Beds And Planter Boxes

HomeBase · Lawn & Garden

Elevate your garden.
Grow more in less space.

City lot, small yard, or rocky clay soil? Raised beds and planter boxes let you grow the vegetables, herbs and flowers you want, wherever you live. Answer a few questions before you build.

Raise the bar

Why garden in raised beds

01 / HIGH YIELDS

Grow more

Loose, enriched soil and a defined growing area help plants produce more in a compact footprint.

02 / EASIER CARE

Bend less

A smaller, raised space makes watering, weeding and fertilizing easier on your back.

03 / LONGER SEASON

Grow longer

Raised beds extend your overall gardening season compared with in-ground planting.

Question 1

Where will I place my beds?

Your available space may decide this for you. If you have options, choose the sunniest spot possible.

Larger beds produce more, but they also take more work. Build beds that match the time you have for gardening.

Question 2

What material will I use?

Many experienced gardeners build with untreated Western Red Cedar because it is naturally rot resistant, so it lasts without chemical treatment.

Affordable, lightweight and easy to work with
Resists warping and twisting
Sustainably harvested

Question 3

What’s the right size for my space?

Plan room to reach and work in every part of the bed. Use these dimensions as your guide.

2–4 ftBed width

8–12 ftIdeal bed length

6 inMinimum depth

12 inOptimal depth for deep, strong roots

Question 4

Is my soil ready?

Loosen the ground
Dig down 6 to 8 inches and loosen the soil.
Mix in organic material
Blend topsoil with organic material.
TopsoilCompostManure
Water, weed and fertilize
Once the soil is ready, start your routine care. The smaller space means less bending and less work.
Mulch if it dries out
Raised beds can dry out quickly in full sun. A layer of mulch helps the soil retain moisture.

Question 5

What are my plans for next year?

Prep for winter

After harvest, prepare your beds for winter just as you would a traditional garden.

Beds built from Western Red Cedar need no extra winter prep. The wood resists warping and twisting, so beds keep their shape season after season.

Find a project plan

Get step-by-step plans for garden beds and planter boxes sized for your space.

View project plans