How to Build Raised Beds For CHEAP *HD Version*

[@ThePepperspraydepot]

I would like all of your wonderful followers to know they can do it even cheaper. Simply go to your local Home Depot or Lowe's, if you have time to be patient, and look or ask about Cull or damaged lumber. Home Depot will give you up to 70% off and Lowe's will do at least 50% off. This is great since you do not need perfect wood. I hope this helps with everyone's budget. In addition, they'll cut everything to size for you.

[@philippe9604]

You might want to know what that lumber was treated with then?

[@geoffward2465]

ThePepperspraydepot l You

[@dannyjarmon8499]

ThePepperspraydepot i

[@CatWinstanley]

Thank you! I can’t find scrap lumber or pallets to save my life!

[@gaylemartin3094]

Just did this today. What a deal! Thanks

[@waltofalltrades6817]

2 points 1. They way you screwed the boards together at 6:29 is actually stronger. Screws have VERY high pull out resistance but pretty low sheer strength. Since the longer board would have more weight pushing on it, its better to orient the boards the way you did since the screws are stronger that way. 2. 8:50 If you have Bermuda grass or another hardy grass/weed, such as Dallas grass, put cardboard or newspaper mulching down. I've had the green part of the Bermuda die, but the root would grow right up through because of the nutrients. Bermuda grass is really hardy.

[@marianamunoz6075]

I know this is an old video but I saw it recently and was so excited to get started! I picked up all the wood... total $31.67/bed including taxes & screws & the best part... is done! My 12-year old put it all together for me (I helped hold wood in place for easier drilling)

[@earthisflat]

Where did u go to get your supplies? I went to a couple different places and the cheapest price I've seen for just the wood was 38 bucks

[@andreacremeans1055]

For two raised beds: •2”x10”x8’ Boards (length) (4 boards) •2”x10”x12’ boards (cut into 3 sections) (for the width) (2 boards) • 3” galvanized deck screws box +Put end board on inside of side boards (doing it that way will allow you to take advantage of the full square footage). +Put 4 screws in each corner +Fill with compost

[@LoveofChocolate18]

If you don't feel like screwing in the boards bc you only want an easy temporary garden bed or you just don't have a power drill: try planter wall blocks from Home Depot. They look like a + so you slide your boards in easily and they cost about 3ish dollars each. You can stack and re-use them too!

[@onefrugalmama4286]

OMG thank you!!!

[@jmar8507]

Just watched a video at their website about these. Those are so nice. Thanks for the tip.

[@kearneynails3290]

This very helpful, thank you so much for the tips!!

[@mrsjuliasmith3433]

You can get the cost down even more by using fence pickets instead of thick timber boards. This way you can get the cost down to around $10-$15 depending on the size and height of the bed that you're building. The bed frames will be more light weight as well which is good if you have to move or adjust it's placement or location.

[@truthseeker9561]

$30 per raised bed! How I miss those days lol. Came across this looking for ideas. I'm sure you have more updated ones on the subject but this was cool to rewatch. I tend to forget how much effort you gave the community even before gardening became the "cool thing ". Many of us appreciate that very much Sir✌❤

[@skyym3629]

I remember about twenty years ago when I was working for a well known commercial HVAC company in Dallas, Tx. I had purchased a Makita 12 volt impact drill. I was just recently hired so I was considered the new kid and I was heckled by the older veteran techs about purchasing that driver because of the noise it made while operating it. Within one year all the other techs had one on their truck and used them as there main, goto driver. It would even outperform my Dewalt 24 volt drill, which was a powerhouse of strength but was on the heavy side. Thanks for the video and info and as always "Thumbs Up". God bless

[@Squirrelfriends22]

I love makita drills.Ive uses others but didn’t work as good.The right tools make the jobs so much easier.

[@eduardomariscal3927]

MIgardener for the win! Thank you Thank you for this vid.

[@cleancarnivore]

Thank you for this timely video. I was researching raised beds and square foot gardening and your design makes sense for efficient use of wood eliminating waste.

[@KimRope]

To sum up the board sizes because I found him confusing: For the short ends, get 2 x 10 x 12 ft. Cut those in 3' sections to give you 4 end pieces for building 2 beds. For the long edges 2 x 10 x 8 ft. Use sturdy 3 inch deck galvanized deck screws. It's nice when people can include a supplies list for any DIY project on their video or in the information below arrrghhh

[@junkeewear6014]

Kim R I was thinking the same thing, also how about 3’x6’ beds. To build two beds all you would need is 3 of those 2”x10”x12’ boards correct? And your going to loose 4”either In width or in length because of the thickness. Still great info, I’m still learning in anticipation of starting my 1st grow in the spring of 2018

[@mickeytollison]

You poor pitiful people. Please attach your DIY video for our approval.

[@georgenock5210]

Me too.... thanks

[@210359]

It clear in the video,, I dont know why you had to make such a great deal of it,,overall a great video,,. :-)

[@KimRope]

@@210359 a comment is “making a great deal”? You mean like you just did? Love his videos and teaching style! Everybody learns differently, especially with things involving math and there’s no harm or shame in writing a quick comment that obviously helped many people. Saying it was confusing is completely subjective for each person and not a diss to the video.

[@MrSpeedy327]

Great videos. Professional and properly educational

[@matulala2000]

I’m going to try this as I have a bunch of left over 2x10 & 2x12 lumber from another project. I’m going to try shou sugiban to help preserve the wood longer.

[@PaulRevere731]

I used treated 2x10 lumber,which these days is proven much safer than arsenic treated lumber before the year 2000. I also, nail in a single run of 10" galvanized steel roof flashing onto the side of the board facing the dirt. Bend the extra 1/2 inch of flashing over the bottom of the 2x10 (which is actually 1.5x9.5). This will prevent the board from rotting and drastically reduce any treated chemicals leeching into the soil.My bracing posts in the corners and in the middle are 2x4 cedar. I also sit my boards on paver blocks, going all around the bed to keep them off the ground. The bed will last 2-3 longer than non treated, non cedar wood.

[@jmseipp]

It's called an Impact Driver and that looks like a 12 volt. I have 20 Volt DeWalt tools and they're awesome! I use them in my work. And Deck Screws work best. They won't rust like screws will. They require a Star Bit which gives a much better grip than a regular Phillips Head screw. They include the Star Bit for free inside the box when you buy the screws. For about $2 extra you can buy a set of two star bits that are about 2 inches long. I like those much better. I line the bottoms with a good quality weed fabric to prevent all of that grass and weeds from growing right up into my beds. I staple the weed fabric to the bottom of the 2 X 10's and then screw 1 X 2's onto the 2 X 10's to really secure the fabric very well. and then flip them over and fill them with soil. This will cut WAY down on the weeds!

[@garden4life622]

This video on building raised beds was actually more informative and helpful than the recent one you posted in 2017...

[@WH6FQE]

If you put the side boards on the inside or the outside, you end up with the exact same square footage either way. You lose the exact same amount whichever way you choose to go. Mainly it just matters which way you prefer, or if you are trying to fit the bed into a particular area which way you need to attach the boards together.

[@StephiePpn]

Love this. No overcomplicating and very customizable. It’s exactly what I needed.

[@wag1952]

I used 2x12x6' boards to make my raised beds and I live in eastern North Carolina. The boards only lasted four years. The cheap way is not always the best way. Cedar and Redwood are more expensive, but if you want the beds to stay awhile, they may be the better wood choice. Using cinder blocks is also another option.

[@bananaman752]

Listen to Luke, I have a raised bed going on 5 years and its a 16X4X12 and I haven't replaced one board yet. You dont need to dump a ton of money into a garden just to grow...The most expensive thing will be dirt if you can make compost.

[@MIgardener]

Midwest Gradening Exactly right on. We were able to fill 2 out of 3 beds with pure grass clipping compost. The rest was brought in, but was only about $15 worth of compost bought in bulk.

[@boatbuilder1954]

Your right on the Ridgid Drills they are the best!

[@littleshepherdfarm2128]

Impact Drill, Luke. I love mine. I have a 20 volt Porter-Cable kit that I use all the time. I have used DeWalt and Milwaukee, and Makita and all are excellent impact drills. They all do nice work. Love your channel too by the way. Have a great week.

[@pricklypear7516]

Makita. It fits my woman's hand better than any other drill/driver I've ever used. Plenty of torque, speed, and longevity. I loves me some Makita.

[@greatcrowd1986]

Wow!!!! How very nice. I am going to try this for sure. I can't wait to use it for my cucumbers (once I get them ordered)

[@gymgirllja]

Luke, Your IMPACT DRILL DRIVER makes that noise because it is striking the screw first, then turning it. Sort of like hitting it with a hammer first, then turning the screw... Also, if you leave one end of the raised bed open, it would be EZ to roll the wheelbarrow in to fill it, without having to dump it over the side or shovel it in. Hugs!

[@deadeyeski]

Linda Arceneaux an impact driver does have a hammering action. But instead of hammering down into the screw, it hammers to the side. That is the noise, the device in the driver is hammering in the same direction as the screw is being wound in.

[@stahpitt8531]

Yeah it prevents the screw from being stripped, they're pretty good.

[@siwolf5261]

I don't think you need the hammering action for screws, only for drilling holes, isn't it

[@CallieCEntertainment]

Working smarter, not harder!

[@muirrobinson]

i'm from the north east. i'm pretty sure my grass is aggressive. it's for the most part not a one blade type of grass but more like a line of grass growing off of a grass route. I have tow raised beds. one has pots in it. one has plants growing directly in the soil. I can't remember is I put down card board, it think I did, before adding soil. my soil is mostly potting soil, big cost, and may not be deep enough. but I have been able to grow tomatoes in this bed. i'm needing to battle weeds and creators but do get tomatoes. I'm always battling the grass that seems to be the strongest crop in the group. I used the grass that comes along mostly on the edges of the boards. but because of there abundance i'm able to mulch the bed with the grass. it's just that it in much more labor intensive. yet I do used the grass as mulch when I pull them up. anyway your thoughts. thanks, 02053

[@oracleofraelor9141]

Kinda late in getting my beds up. But today is the day.

[@patnichols3651]

I have found that using lip balm on the screws allows the screws to go in the wood easier Blind eagle

[@cavemanjoe7972]

Arlene Nichols Vaseline works well for that, and is cheaper.

[@MrChewbone69]

a bar of soap is the best for this. It is larger and simpler to handle than lip balm or messy Vaseline. just saying.... peace.

[@Squirrelfriends22]

MrChewbone69 yes I definitely agree. Rub the screw against the bar soap & it is so much easier.

[@pricklypear7516]

I always pre-drill three holes 3/4" from the end of my over-lap board (usually the short end one, but he explained why he overlapped the long ones). You're in an awkward position down there; it's difficult for some of us to hunker that far while trying to screw straight into the board. Pre-drilled holes can be done at your own comfortable position and also avoid splitting of that delicate cut edge.

[@texastourist1161]

Always enjoy your vids, we used an old box spring for a garden bed...

[@ulysses5000]

We use 2"×12"×12' pressure treated. 2 of these and cut 4' off to create a 4'×8' bed. our oldest bed is 10yrs old.

[@cassandraharrington7189]

Steven McGill lots of chemicals in treated wood right? Wouldn’t that leach into the soil ?

[@zelphmyster]

@@cassandraharrington7189 no. Since 2004, those chemicals are not used in wood treatments. There's no scientific evidence that treated pine post 2003 seeps anything more than ordinary pine or cedar. Go with science on this one.

[@virginialacar3218]

You have a very impressive video,I like this it's more affordable than the cement ,just wood and galvanized iron.this I want to use and make it..

[@Sleeplessinsimi]

I am just starting to build my beds. I bought the same yellow pine lumber and I got Power Pro One Multi Material 3 inch wood screws. But I am having a hell of a time trying to get them to go into the boards. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[@johnonorgan]

i treat my wood with RV antifreeze to keep the wood from absorbing moisture and it is non toxic

[@Lookout4the3rdrail]

Thanks Man !

[@shelly7017]

I put hardware cloth on the bottom of my beds to keep moles and other critters out.

[@tomandtinadixon]

Do remember though that dimensional lumber is not the full 2 inch by whatever, it is less than that. 1.5 inch is the actual thickness, and take a half inch off any of the other sizes. So a 2x10 is actually 1.5x9.5 inches. And you in the US are the lucky ones that get the really quality lumber, we in Canada have to settle for the leftovers and still pay a premium price. Our construction grade lumber is also not yellow pine, it is a random mix of spruce-pine-fir, you get whatever they stacked on the pallets before shipping to the retailer. My price on our 2x10x12 lumber, which was not all super nice and straight (and often has edge cuts of bark, nasty milling edges, sometimes even splits), would have been $17 per board at full retail. Thankfully, our local Home Hardware assistant manager gave us a HUGE break because we were buying 200 of them. We got the first full lift of 147 boards for $10 each and the remaining 53 boards for $11 each. Then several pounds of 3.5 inch brass deck screws. After paying for wood chips for our entire garden area base, and for moving soil off another area of our property, this garden project has cost us well over $4000. Granted, we made it a huge project, but we have many big things going on here, and wanted to get it all done the first year so we could plant fruit trees around the garden area.

[@wenonasiggelkow9306]

Thanks . I will not be using treated lumber like I first thought. Pine is fine, no poison for plants!

[@peeinacan1]

when you're screwing your boards together, you are screwing into the end grain of the wood. It would be better if you cut a short 2x4 or something for each corner, and then screw both boards into the 2x4

[@Gardenersland]

@6:50 that's really good tip! definitely keeping that in mind when we build our raise bed next year

[@MIgardener]

GardenersLand Glad it was able to give you something that made you think :) that's the goal always!

[@Gardenersland]

and its great to learn something new everyday especially useful and beneficial ones

[@jimkoz5052]

Thanks for this vid very helpful Take Care

[@MIgardener]

Jim Koz Glad you liked it!

[@jcowan0921]

Its been 5 years now. How have the raised beds held up? I'm wondering, because the beds I built out of pine 2x10 have rotted away in 3 years and will have to be replaced. I'm n northern Alabama, so that may play a role in it too. Thanks, for the helpful videos!

[@MichaelSHartman]

I am surprised more people from 2020 are not here.

[@ohhowhappygardener]

Great video, Luke! I think it's time I built some raised beds.

[@MIgardener]

OhHowHappyGardener I think so too! They are amazing...

[@regularguy3202]

Greatness!

[@heydudeyahbro5492]

To make it true to its square footage, make one of the sides 3 inches longer to compensate for the with of the 2x10.

[@shiny_x3]

Screwing into end-grain is going to create a very weak joint. That's why people screw into 2x4 or 4x4s on the inside instead. That's why you ended up having to use metal brackets to reinforce it like in your other video. Another option is a pocket screw but you need to buy the jig.

[@robertwages9265]

I made some out of pine last year and they had black mold growing on them in 3 months.

[@danbrownjr759]

Plants and Veggies love clay soil, endless supply of water and moisture

[@meehan302]

That's a fantastic drill Luke and those screws were long. Great stuff.

[@MIgardener]

Patrick Meehan oh my... it is a life safer. I couldn't see myself without it.

[@christiankrippler9162]

Its not a drill, simply a Impact Driver...only holds driver bits and yes they are awesome!

[@LindaPenney]

lovely update thank you for sharing

[@MIgardener]

Linda Penney Thanks Linda!

[@reginabajorek4662]

Our native soil is ok. I bought 6 inch boards. Should I take them back for 10 inch boards?

[@phil4v8]

👏Could you please list wood measurement,kind of wood and size screws. Thank you.🙏🙏

[@gaylemartin3094]

What brand and kind of drill are you using? What’s the difference between it and a regular drill?

[@Njoiraja]

Skip expensive wood like cedar Skip additional support posts Skip additional soil if native soil is reasonable & not very clayie Untreated yellow pine 4 x 2"x10"x8' = 4 Front & backs Untreated yellow pine 2"x10"x12' divide by 3 = 4 sides Side wall goes outside to save square footage May last 4 to 5 years.

[@frogmuscle2690]

I'm wondering how long will your raised bed last using that type of lumber? I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the price to use Cedar vs what you're using.

[@wathah323]

Teach us how to make one on a hill

[@Gardenersland]

we need a raised bed gardens so badly

[@MIgardener]

GardenersLand let us know when you build them. We would love to see you build them.

[@Gardenersland]

we will be doing it next year, that's the plan

[@mcciggy]

Love the vids! Best garden channel on YT! Do u recommend filling the bed ahead of time, before planting it? My structure is ready but my seedlings aren’t. Should I go ahead and let it be filled and empty? Thanks!

[@MamaFriday]

McCallMeTheBreeze if you do, put a cover over the soil, such as mulch or some type of sheeting to keep nutrients/minerals from leeching out when it rains. One advantage of putting it out now would be if you wanted to supplement with microbes (I use Biotone). Allowing it time to sit in the soil could give it a head start.

[@robrob7011]

I would 100%, definitely recommend removing the grass before you put down soil or compost. Your plant's roots will LOVE you!

[@cynthianance5067]

Could you please list what I need to buy from Home Depot. I got the galvanized deck screws and the drill. For the wood what should I buy?

[@thehorseheavenhills]

12 feet long, 10 inches wide, and a thickness of 2 inches. If you want to do it really simply, just get five 12 foot boards and have them cut one into four equal pieces of 3 feet. Then you’ve got 4 long boards for the sides of two planters, and four ends. Just screw it all up.

[@QurikOfficial]

Build starts at 6:30

[@ejarnold747]

New here...so with the measurements of the raised bed; can you still insert the black cloth? Our backyard soil is a dirt/clay consistency and we don't want to plant into the existing backyard soil (?)

[@onenutt2940]

That tool is a impact driver!!

[@MIgardener]

Tony Stinnett I thought it was too, but we got it for a wedding shower gift and I have never used an impact drill before, so I was unsure if that is what it specifically was :)

[@Sheepy007]

Wouldn't the beds last longer if you paint the insides of the would, the sides that are in contact with soil ?

[@PinkChucky15]

You made an HD version, yay :-)

[@MIgardener]

PinkChucky15 I did I did! It was soooo long overdue

[@dhavishtaramdharee7488]

Hello. What do you use for the bed? Is pine recommendable?

[@achyutakrishna]

Hi There how to avoid the termites , untreated wood is easy target for termites.?

[@jasonevans1820]

Are these just set on the ground without any stakes? If I make it 4' x 10' would it bow out?

[@vivinthomas1]

Is there anyway you can include supplies list in the description?

[@wadebennett2301]

You should primer the boards with a good exterior primer like Kilns.

[@David-zv2em]

if I use the same wood that is shown in this video, would you recommend painting the wood first to help make it last longer?

[@CJ-qj8gq]

A tinted natural wood preserver. I'm thinking the same as you.

[@RobertDannelly]

Can you add the materials list on the comment below the KZbin video, excellent videos? Also, the lengths.

[@marineelkin8488]

Thank you :)

[@MIgardener]

Marine Elkin You are welcome!

[@gamingscientist7445]

All these people talking about the drill and here I am wanting to know more about the screws. I've seen some people say that some types of screws will leach into the wood creating a potentially harmful chemical. Beyond the screws standing up to the weather to hold the bed together, do I need to worry about the screws leaching or is it just the type of wood used that I need to worry about?

[@Mark-sn6kh]

Just make sure you purchase exterior grade screws.

[@christineboozer9980]

What is the exact drill you are using?

[@gazo195]

Go to 6:30. You're welcome

[@xaverbishop6506]

So you don’t have to pre drill holes?

[@JIMKOR]

How do you treat it so it doesn’t rot

[@rosedumas4775]

What kind of wood do you use if not cedar?

[@davidmay3504]

That's not a semi-impact drill, it's an impact drill. Most of them are made like that and are worth their weight in gold for that same reason. Thanks for the video.

[@PharmSilver]

If you did a 4x8bed would you use posts on the corners ?

[@MIgardener]

+PharmSilver I personally wouldn't. It is optional, and we will be doing it on our 4 x 10 beds at the cottage this year.

[@McCartWoodworks]

As a side note if you put the end pieces on the outside or the inside you will not lose any square footage. One way you lose 3” in width and the other way you lose 3” in length so they both even out. So it comes down to a matter of preference.

[@katalinkiss120]

If you lose 3" in width you lose the entire 8 feet the other way is only 3 feet so not the same volume

[@anjkovo2138]

My bed boards rot quickly. How can i make them last?

[@zaydean9367]

Luke, do you think I could get away with filling the beds with only 6 or 7" garden soil? Im on a budget and cant get mulch or compost or anything more.

[@halimaw8922]

Zay Dean hit up your local grocery stores, they most of the time are happy to give out free cardboard and with that you can cut it up and use that as mulch as well as grass clippings and leaves you raked up

[@mysweettlife]

my grass is brown in july because I have rocky soil. Raised beds are better for me so I don't have to pull out all the rocks.

[@La_La_La3]

Where does one go about buying 2x10x8 untreated yellow pine. I search Home Depot website and couldn't find any.

[@zelphmyster]

There is no evidence that treated pine is unsafe or that untreated pine is safer than treated pine. Look at the science and ignore anecdotal ramblings of ignoramouses.

[@surfearth1]

$30 for the lumbar? Where is that lumber yard?

[@janestewart3231]

I've just discovered your videos. Nice job. Could you post a supply list in the info below your video? That would be helpful. Thanks!

[@ajhartmanaero]

In 2022 this video would be titled "How to build the most expensive beds ever!" I'm joking as this is still probably on of the more economical ways, but my wife and I just went and priced out wood to make four more 8'x4' beds and was dang near $400 in wood!

[@alexbaez8202]

What’s the model & details of that drill?

[@jasonb947]

Treated wood is never recommended when building a raised bed garden. I worked for The Home Depot and Lowes, When customers came into the store and was looking for treated lumber for raised bed the reason why no one in the Building and Lumber department was because the chemicals in the Treated lumber would seap or leak into the soil and it would be harmful when you harvest your crop.

[@chasing_happiness]

Jason Beas they are showing with the new way they treat woods that it is safe for use with food gardens. They don't use arsenic anymore. I'd rather use untreated Cedar personally. It lasts just as long.

[@zelphmyster]

Anecdote and history < science and modernity. There is no evidence that modern treated wood leaches dangerous chemicals.

[@dannyprice7087]

That drill might be alright, but if it ain’t yellow, it ain’t the best!

[@SweetT--]

We could do "another" affordable raised garden bed

[@CatWinstanley]

Someone recommended I paint my boxes to stave off rot with the untreated scrap lumber I used for my first box....now I’m wondering if that is actually safe? Prob not. Thanks for this video! I always thought a trip to the hardware store would be pricey and you absolutely had to use treated lumber. Where I’m at in Florida the soil is just fine, but with a toddler and two large dogs, it’s tricky to grow straight into the ground. This will do the trick I think!

[@eduardomariscal3927]

I knew I had to search up this vid. Was just going to build some with cedar and I was gonna cancel my veg garden project

[@eduardomariscal3927]

Thank you soooo much for this vid

[@JohnnyC10071959]

Not for nothing but that is an 1/4" impact driver

[@ronhak3736]

Wont you lose water in this design?

[@araybiat6263]

2x10x8 untreated pine wood

[@BPinney]

You really should be wearing hearing protection with impact drivers. The decibels they put out is pretty silly and it will damage your hearing over time. I do woodworking. Milwaukee has a hydraulic impact that's far better but it's still in the 80 decibel range. Many of the traditional impacts are 110+ dB.

[@akelei5772]

Hi Luke, Are the boards planed?