Fit check
Key measurements
Plans heights from the ground unless noted
Front elevation
Section across the bed
Layout plan
Corner detail from above
Soil & fill
Heights to mark
Cut list
Lumber list & cutting diagrams what to buy, and what gets cut from each board
Estimated cost approx. Home Depot retail — click a price to match your store
Hardware & supplies
Build steps
Plan DIY raised garden beds that fit your yard
Raised Garden Bed Planner designs the classic stacked-board raised bed — 2x6 or 2x8 boards on edge, stacked two or three high, screwed to posts in the corners — and the waist-high elevated planter on legs, with a slatted floor and an optional shelf or casters. Add a cap rail with mitered corners to sit on, middle stakes so long walls don’t bow, hardware cloth against gophers, a trellis for climbers and hoops for netting or row cover. Plan one bed, a row of beds with paths, or a U-shaped garden, and get the soil you need in cubic feet, cubic yards and bags.
1. Measure your space
How much yard or patio you have, and whether you can reach the bed from both sides.
2. Pick a style
Ground-level bed or waist-high planter; one bed, a row or a U. Add a cap, trellis, hoops and liners.
3. Check the estimates
The fit check estimates how far the walls can span before wet soil bows them, and what a waist-high floor and its legs carry. Estimates only — build with care.
4. Build and fill it
Download a PDF with dimensioned plans, a cut list with miter angles, board layouts, soil quantities, cost and build steps.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should a raised garden bed be?
8 to 12 inches of soil suits most vegetables and herbs; carrots, potatoes and other root crops do better with 12 to 18 inches. Two 2x6 boards stacked give an 11″ deep bed; three give 16 1/2″.
How wide should a raised bed be?
About 4 feet if you can reach in from both sides, so you can reach the middle without stepping on the soil; 2 to 3 feet if it’s against a wall or fence. Leave paths 18–24″ wide, or 36″ for a wheelbarrow.
How much soil do I need for a 4x8 raised bed?
A 4x8 bed filled 11″ deep holds about 29 cubic feet — a little over 1 cubic yard, or about 15 bags of 2 cubic feet. Buy about 10% extra: new soil settles after the first few waterings. Above 1 1/2 cubic yards, bulk delivery is usually cheaper than bags.
What wood is best for raised beds?
Cedar and redwood resist rot without chemicals and last 10–15 years. Untreated pine is cheap but lasts only a few seasons. Modern pressure-treated lumber (ACQ/CA) is rated for ground contact; if you prefer, line the inside of the walls with plastic.
Why do long beds need middle stakes?
Wet soil pushes the walls outward, and the push grows with depth. A 2x board can only span so far between posts before it bows; the planner estimates that distance for your boards and depth and adds stakes or cross ties to match.
Is the Raised Garden Bed Planner free?
Yes. It runs in your browser with no sign-up, and you can download the plans as a PDF or save your settings to a file.