How To Build The Perfect Height Elevated, Raised Bed!

Detailed, step by step, tutorial on how I made this elevated(on legs) raised vegetable bed. I made it from mostly scraps, but you can use new or used wood to create and change sizes based on this video!
Perfect height raised bed!
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[@kaleemoore4639]

Thank you for the video! This is simple enough for a beginner who literally has no experience building ANYTHING. Thank you again!!!

[@creationsbydx]

Your welcome

[@irenetornroos2083]

Been thinking hard on how to make a raised bed, until I see this vid today. Now it get's easier cos you have shown it. Thank you so much for sharing to us!

[@creationsbydx]

Your very welcome, glad we could help

[@g.m.forsythe9626]

This is so perfect for me! When we bought our homestead, there were about 6 planter boxes on the ground made with 1X boards. They were mostly rotten, BUT I live near a trailer dealer, so I get all his 2X6s and 2X8's, and replaced the 1X material with these. Then my wife asked me to make two "from scratch." Happy wife, happy life. We now have (at last count) a total of 45 planter boxes of various sizes, and she keeps asking for more. I was so happy to see someone else using old 2X material!!! All the other sites are making fancy stuff. I put my legs on the inside, but that's because the wife likes them that way. I was REALLY appreciative of how you add that support for the legs! So simple and so strong! I suggest making a foot for each leg to prevent moisture absorption through the end grain. Also, I made the mistake of letting my wife watch "The Gardening Channel With James Prigioni" and she saw him put rails on the tops, so now I have to do that too. More protection though, especially for the tops of the legs. I tried using shellac, but that has a life of about 3 months here in Tennessee. Too much rain. I was a little concerned about the 2X4 supports for the bottoms, but you said that they do the trick, so I will give it a shot. Thanks again for giving us users of recycled construction lumber a great incentive!!

[@creationsbydx]

Thanks for the great tips, yes I like James channel as well. If it's one thing a gardener wants its more space to plant. So I cant blame your wife. And as you said happy wife, happy life, same motto at my house. I actually love the top rail idea, I just have not finished all my boxes yet, so material is dedicated to those, but I will likely eventually go back and add top rails too. Look into linseed oil to protect the wood.

[@gloriabond9008]

I'm so glad I found this. Thanks for the video. Clear & inspirational!

[@creationsbydx]

Thanks for watching

[@hectorgduran]

Excellent video, thank you for taking the time to explain how to build the raised bed. Well done!

[@creationsbydx]

Thank you for the support. Would love to see photos if you build one. Stay safe and enjoy your garden!

[@niecyallison1706]

Great job! You saved hundreds on this build.

[@creationsbydx]

We sure did! And its growing great food too!

[@billybobsted1671]

This is so the route I’m going I’ve been stressing out on spending $ on lumber when this whole time I’ve had access to free pallets. Thank you for sharing this great garden idea!!

[@creationsbydx]

Your very welcome, glad to help. Post photos when you complete it, we would love to see!

[@ninkampoop06]

i actually looked into this too and found some recommendations to be careful when using wood from pallets because unless they were were used for food products, alot of pallets are treated with coating chemicals themselves or can contain remnants of whatever was packaged. Not sure how accurate or common it is but it makes sense? jus a heads up

[@creationsbydx]

Really great points and your 100 percent right, I dont know if I spoke about it in this video or the other raised pallet bed video, but usally the pallets if treated will have an HT for heat treated. Those are the safest, so you know they are not chemically treat!

[@mrspatriciasteele]

Thank you! You were so thorough and it’s something I can actually do

[@creationsbydx]

So glad to hear it. Good luck let us know how it turns out!

[@bettythomas5251]

Thanks for showing how to make the garden! 😊

[@creationsbydx]

Thank you for watching

[@kimmitchell4816]

Thank you so much for sharing this! My husband and I are getting ready to build one and I searched on KZbin hoping to find a video. Yours was just what I was looking for. :)

[@creationsbydx]

Awe your very welcome. Just finished planting ours out this season with herbs. Love this bed so easy to work in.

[@gregorypeterson3384]

Excellent ideas, simple and cost effective. Just took a deck down and will use those boards.

[@creationsbydx]

Awesome!

[@evaflores2528]

Wow u explained how to build this so simply!! I’m a beginner at ‘wood working’ and don’t have very many tools. I love that this video didn’t need too many tools. I’m excited to make these tomorrow

[@creationsbydx]

So glad I could help. Good luck with your project

[@pamelavalente3731]

Love the detail you conveyed about this build. SUGGESTION: On the bottom of long side of the tray, where the two tray support 2x4's don't quite meet, adding a 4x4 post (leg) would definitely make the raised bed more stable. 💜😊💜

[@creationsbydx]

Really great advice. Thank you

[@kanderson8981]

Last year my friend built me this exact type of bed. I lined it with weed fabric, works like a charm! Never thought of cardboard. Ta for the great video:)

[@creationsbydx]

Thank you for the feedback! Weed fabric would definitely be best!

[@melissam6941]

Thanks! I'll be doing this DYI in the spring!

[@creationsbydx]

Let us know how it turns out!!

[@beginnerslikeme2814]

Thanks man, I was about to go out and spend cash on cedar; I'm going to go ahead and use the pallet wood I've got now .. and just give it some linseed oil to protect it a little cheers

[@franktall7705]

I needed this. Thank you sir.

[@creationsbydx]

Glad we could help. Let us know how your build goes!

[@tammyknisley5964]

Thanks so much we are very happy with our end product!

[@creationsbydx]

That's wonderful!

[@brandonbailey4326]

Very nice build and step by step! From Michigan myself! I believe I will be making one….

[@creationsbydx]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@lydvincecruz824]

Great job .Thanks for sharing.

[@creationsbydx]

Thank you. And thanks for watching.

[@sistersforever-lifeincalif8753]

Thank you for sharing this

[@michelemadrid9643]

These are exactly what I’ve been wanting. Now my guy can help me out getting several of these knocked out I’m still learning but I love to build

[@creationsbydx]

Thats awesome. Good luck with them enjoy

[@joshua-cd9ok]

Thanks bruh.. I'm going to make one for my aunt.. I'm in tha process of tryin to make a raised "just like" tha one you made.. God bless you sir.

[@creationsbydx]

Makes us really happy to hear. So glad we could help. Take some photos, let is know how it turns out.

[@carimar4330]

Great video!!! Thanks for the awesome tutorial!

[@creationsbydx]

Thank you for watching

[@paulkehrig8326]

Like how you used what you had,and bottom support good job

[@creationsbydx]

Thanks!

[@esperanzagirl2141]

Amazing!!thank you for the idea!!

[@creationsbydx]

Your welcome

[@johnelliott8646]

Hi from New Zealand Thanks for a well thought out video.Just about to start building based on your advice.

[@creationsbydx]

Thanks for the comment, hope it goes well, I'm sure you will love it like we do.

[@mwest0894]

Great job this is what I was looking for.

[@creationsbydx]

Glad to hear it good luck!

[@lenliving]

Love this.. thank you!

[@creationsbydx]

Your welcome, let us know how your build goes.

[@kleintjk]

Nice job on this. Thanks

[@creationsbydx]

Thanks I appreciate it

[@KC-hf3ps]

Thank you so much. I have a much clearer idea on how I'm making mine.

[@kenhunt5153]

Yes, reusing what you have or getting scrap wood is the way to go. You do not need to buy new cedar or even more expensive wood for a custom built bed for just under 1k. Cardboard, leaves small twigs and compost will also save on filling the bed with soil. Growing your own food does not need to be suburban costly.

[@creationsbydx]

Couldn't agree more well said!

[@rhondaa5837]

Good video. Thank you!

[@creationsbydx]

Glad we could help!

[@chairfitcamp]

Awesome video

[@creationsbydx]

Thank you

[@tombeckett4340]

Thanks great job.👍🇨🇦

[@creationsbydx]

Thank you!

[@jessicandennis]

GREAT VIDEO!!!!!

[@creationsbydx]

Thank you

[@Sharleen91]

Great tips!!

[@creationsbydx]

Hope they help!

[@josemacias6734]

Great video! If im making 6 ft long x 30 inches wide x 3 ft high with what you did here, can you assist with what lumber i need and how much of each thanks

[@lucyw.mcmellan7274]

Thank you.

[@creationsbydx]

Welcome

[@connieskaggs6336]

Thanks for your video

[@creationsbydx]

Your welcome. Thank you for the comment

[@kyleharshbarger3803]

Thanks. I’m copying your basic plan, but using materials that I have on hand, to build a 6.5’ by 2’ flower bed, raised two feet. I cannot garden on my knees anymore!

[@creationsbydx]

Awesome. Upcycling on hand materials is the best.

[@karolyndudley7888]

Thank you for sharing. Going to make one

[@philipmitchell7792]

recalculating to the frontal lobe...nice building technique and use of scrap wood. thank you

[@creationsbydx]

Thank you

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

This is good tutorial for beginners both to gardening in raised beds as well as woodworking. My only concern with the use of pallet wood is depending on the country of origin some country's treat them with pesticides. There is a code on them that will tell you if they are treated or not. Just my opinion. Other than that, I love the repurposing of older wood.

[@creationsbydx]

Couldn't agree more I don't recall if I said it in the video or not but I say it in others you should look for a heat treated stamp for sure

[@dunlopgp10]

Enjoyed the video. What soil do you recommend to use for vegetables and would you recommend using fertilizer and if so what ratio?

[@creationsbydx]

For soil, especially with vegetables, I like to go with a good compost/top soil mix. Most landscape supply company's will have it premixed you can buy in yards. If not you can buy by the bag from hardware store or landscape companies...mix in a wheel barrel 50 50 mix. Fertilizers, I'm partial to aquarium water....I feel its the best Fertilizer and its free...or pond water if you can get it....otherwise I avoid most commercial Fertilizers. Thanks for watching stay safe and and enjoy your gardens.

[@ThatGardener]

Nice video learned how to make bed - was quite scared on how to do it.

[@creationsbydx]

Thank you for the feedback, I hope it gives you the confidence to give it a try. Feel free to reach out if you have questions while building, would love to see some photos when you do!

[@ThatGardener]

@@creationsbydx thanks so much, very kind of you and pls keep posting such nice videos!

[@garyperrin8172]

great job you did but if i am building one i will put a centre 2 x 4 on each side for support in the centre thanks.

[@creationsbydx]

Not a bad idea at all!

[@CAMDEC1217]

Hi, rewatching this video. Love all the pros to the elevated beds; keeps rabbits/dog out. Easier on back. I want your thoughts on elevating my current beds. They are like 2.5 by 8 feet, so good size. But wonder if I should raise them up on legs (frame already there), or just add more boards to all sides? I would need to fill the bottom half with something other than soil, but wondering on other pros and cons. Your thoughts?

[@creationsbydx]

How deep are they? An 8ft bed will require more legs i would add at least a set of legs to the middle. Pros elevated bed will be easier to reach, maintain, will require less soil to fill then building a tall on ground bed...cons it will dry out quicker then your used too, and you will need a lot more boards,for bottom and the legs. Building up the sides to the existing may be cheaper, depending on how your sourcing wood and soil.

[@CAMDEC1217]

Great video. How did this elevated bed method of growing work for you? Are you still using it? Any tips on what plants to grow in it, watering challenges? I would like to turn some of my raised beds into elevated but would love to hear your pros and cons first.Thanks so much!!

[@creationsbydx]

Thank you for asking. It works well, so well I build another set in the greenhouse to keep from bending over. Varieties we have grown so far....carrots, tomatoes(recommend determinate) zucchini, marigolds, broccoli, cabbage, lettuces, radishes, beets, dandelions....im sure there are many more im not thinking of at the moment. As far as water, yes requires more water than on ground I have found closer to container gardening in that way.

[@AdvertisingAlabama]

Nice video. One question. . . arent the boards in the center that hold your interior wood and later the planting soil, dependent only upon the screws into the wood that holds them? In other words, it seems the corner 2X4's hold the corners, but actually the boards screwed in to form a lip to hold the slats are only supported by the screws themselves? Maybe another set of support legs in the center area would help?

[@creationsbydx]

Thank you. Valid points certainly extra legs would not hurt. I have found i still have not needed them after 3 seasons. And in this video I did all scrap wood, ideally I would have had one long board on the lip and it would have been support by the extra interior leg 2x4s and the screws as well of course.

[@dcwest83]

I would put the supports that hold the bottom of the bed under the inside 2x4 leg that’s the part that is actually holding all the wait

[@creationsbydx]

Technically there are supports there. But reinforce yours for sure love to see any additions you make!

[@jaimieleiven]

I have a question about the weed liner fabric. If I were to use that do I still poke holes in it for drainage? Or if I use cardboard how many holes did you put or how far apart per slit? I’m new to gardening and am going to make a raised bed. Also thank you for your video! It was very helpful on my steps to making the bed!

[@creationsbydx]

Thank you for watching, weed barrier is a fabric that will allow moisture and drainage through if depending on which you choose. With the cardboard I just poked very random holes on average about an inch apart. Let us know if we can answer any additional questions, happy to help!

[@siriehtstudio]

Thanks so much for this awesome video! Quick question: could I use cardboard instead of weed barrier on the bottom?

[@creationsbydx]

Thanks for the compliment. You could absolutely use cardboard, it breaks down and feeds the soils, one thing to keep in mind is it holds a lot of moisture, and could cause the wood to rot sooner in the bed. Just food for thought.

[@siriehtstudio]

@@creationsbydx Oh yeah that's a very good point! Thank you so much!

[@lalo2641]

Thanks

[@creationsbydx]

Thank you for watching

[@lalo2641]

@@creationsbydx I want to make one thanks for the idea💡 👍

[@beegrand5252]

Hello this is just perfect for me, I have a really bad back. I am going to lowes and have them cut the wood for me what are the sizes I should tell them to cut and how many?also if I get 4x4x3 for the legs should I still add support to the legs?

[@creationsbydx]

Sorry I did not respond to this sooner. I think 4x4 legs would be great. Yes I thin the addition support would be great addition still helps support the weight on the sides rather than on the screws. I dont have exact measurements for you unfortunately.

[@hdd5198]

So, have you had any issues with poor drainage? (Soil to wet.) Or the inside, unpainted wood rotting? Also how often do you water?

[@creationsbydx]

No issues with drainage at all...water almost daily in the summer soil definitely dries out quicker in the elevated bed...no rot...did a few follow up videos on it

[@KitchenLivinwithShay]

Video still blessing people years later! How did this hold up for you?

[@creationsbydx]

I'm very happy to see that it has, and hope it continues to do so. I took mine down. Garden is always are work in progress. Will be building more this spring I hope

[@mr.swagily2659]

noice !

[@creationsbydx]

Thanks

[@user-ky4hc1bx7s]

how long is that wood going to last, especially the legs that are in the wet ground.

[@creationsbydx]

That's a fair point, as I stated in the video I was using scraps I didn't build it to last. But to answer your question 3 years. The center collapsed not the legs. Legs are perfectly fine

[@zahzah6782]

How would you go about adding another level to this raised bed?

[@creationsbydx]

Pretty simple actually, build the outside frame, then take a piece of 2 x 4 and attach it to the inside to hold the top boards to the next level or levels down

[@user-ni9rv2tr1y]

How would you suggest making it at least 12 inches deep?! Just lowering the base? I know I would have to fill it with sticks and cardboard to build the height!?

[@creationsbydx]

Totally depends what ypu want to grow 12 in would be great for most crops I typically only do 2 2x6 for my ground be which are 5.5 each so 11 total

[@Corpeces]

I like to point out something that did not occure to me at the time I was building my box. My box is 38 cubic feet of space I had to fill. That is about 1 1/2 square yards. I learned 1 yard is 1900 lbs, thats without water.. So a stress test of standing on boards doesnt say much

[@creationsbydx]

Thats an excellent point I'm no where near 1900 pounds lol. But I can tell you the bed is still standing and full to this day.

[@shirslieg6685]

what are the final dimensions of your garden bed? I want to make sure the width will fit and look nice next to my house. Thank you!

[@creationsbydx]

Well, you can customize it to any size with this video, but it is 6ft by 3 ft shown here.

[@Beeplabeep]

This is exactly what I'm looking for. I'm in a rental and bend over so much at work, so I'm looking for something that wont kill the lawn or my back.

[@creationsbydx]

So glad to help. Let us know how it works out for you! We love ours currently growing greens for the bearded dragon in it!

[@joseecheverria83]

I have a beagle too and he’s name is Batman too

[@creationsbydx]

No way! Thats too funny!

[@jeanrolfe7242]

There is a flaw for the center where the gaps are, there isn't anything supporting the middle for the length side of those boards.

[@creationsbydx]

For the size it actually does work. I did however do an update video recently to explain how a few things could improve

[@user-fz9bt2jn8l]

you should of put up a list of boards we need

[@creationsbydx]

Makes sense. This was made mainly from scrap. Perhaps ill do an upgraded one soon

[@sydneymatrisciano8468]

Would you sink the posts in concrete at all?

[@creationsbydx]

No.. posts rot...if you choose to go route of treated wood for your post you could cement them in. But my honest opinion is dont...I moved this one more times than not

[@sydneymatrisciano8468]

Thank you for that super quick response!! So you found it was heavy enough to not tip in storms/stable when leaning into it to work?

[@creationsbydx]

Oh yea. Built this way it too two ppl to carry without soil. With soil high winds won't touch it. Would have to be hurricane or tornado

[@philipmitchell7792]

painting...not to mention, the paint might leech into the interior.

[@ericatoussaint7928]

The only other thing I would have added to that was a two center legs.

[@creationsbydx]

Definitely 2 center legs on a longer bed. This distance wasn't needed. Still holding up great with no sagging in the middle. But a great tip! There is no harm in some additional support.

[@sierrajones3725]

What are all the dimensions?

[@creationsbydx]

The dimensions on this one are about 6ft by 3 ft. But you can build yours any size

[@courtneyjackson6921]

Nice design but wayyyyy too much wood. You can use half the bottom support with chicken wire or I've even used House wrap. The best wood for the outside is cedar fence pickets. I also use landscape timbers for my legs. Cheaper and stronger.

[@creationsbydx]

Good points

[@jessieg1914]

Never Never use grass clippings in a raised bed. Unless you and yours lost your sense of smell.😊

[@nicobass1966]

Consider the nutrient content, cheers xx

[@creationsbydx]

Valid point

[@roxannahartless6846]

you can probably even get free wood from someone that is tearing down a house or a garage and so on.

[@creationsbydx]

Great tip!

[@sespe33]

Cardboard contains toxix glue... bad idea

[@sanaermila2163]

👩‍👧‍👦🇲🇦🇲🇦❤💯👍👍

[@TheMischiefmanaged]

its too shallow it should be 3 x 4 inch wide boards high /deep that is a proper raised bed for anything potatoes onions green beans cucumbers carrots cabbage sweet potatoes flowers

[@creationsbydx]

Well your right you can't grow everything in this style bed. For reference i have successful grown many things, san marzano tomatoes, greenbeans, carrots l, eggplant, zucchini, tons of greens,herbs, and currently have a crop of ever bearing Strawberries doing well.

[@atticuscorbs7006]

WAY TOO MANY ADS bro.

[@creationsbydx]

Understandable thanks

[@jroddy1]

Way too much wood for this project. And now (2021) this project would cost over $200 in just material's

[@creationsbydx]

Your right material cost have gone up for sure, as you see in the video mine was build entirely from scrap and free Pallets. Even in 2021 you can find ways to keep cost down. Im about to build some raised beds out of an old deck, wood I got for free. You just have to be willing to look.

[@hdd5198]

Ask around, on facebook, etc. Lots of places give away pallets. I get huge ones from my work for free.

[@creationsbydx]

Great tip! Pretty awesome that you get pallets from work!

[@christophermatthews4597]

Talk talk talk talk , it’s a box and it’s got legs

[@creationsbydx]

That it is!

[@philipmitchell7792]

painting rough wood is lipstick on a pig.

[@creationsbydx]

Lol good point

[@realist8967]

Our cats live to poop in our raised beds.

[@creationsbydx]

Thats unfortunate, not ideal for you while gardening, but at least it will compost down. There are scents cats dont like, orange peels spread in the bed can help deter them.

[@debrasmith307]

Personally, I was disappointed you didn’t have everything you needed before starting the video & you never took the time to get the proper things to make this. Kind of halfa.s disappointed, if I wanted to watch myself do a video, I would take the time to make sure I had everything I needed. Half done

[@creationsbydx]

I'm sorry you feel that way. I'm not quite sure what you mean by half done. I still use this bed 3 years later. And I haven't added anything that wasn't in the video except soil. In fact I have a few follow up videos on it. But to each their own

[@bab3293]

Sorta looks like crap 💩💩💩 but hey, at least you got rid of all that scrap wood 🪵🪓

[@creationsbydx]

Thanks?

[@ronm6585]

Thank you.

[@creationsbydx]

Glad we could help