These are the five simple raised garden beds I built from untreated timber. The construction is deliberately basic: corner stakes, two boards high and screws. They were built directly over existing beds, so the dimensions followed the garden rather than a drawing.
Our dimensions
- Two beds: 170 × 100 cm
- Two beds: 160 × 100 cm
- One bed: 300 × 90 cm
- Height: about 24 cm
I used untreated 22 × 120 mm exterior boards and corner pieces made from 28 × 70 mm timber. The corner stakes were longer than the bed height so I could drive them into the ground for stability.
How I built them
- Measure the bed area and cut the long and short boards.
- Cut four corner stakes longer than the finished bed height.
- Pre-drill near board ends to reduce splitting.
- Screw the boards to the corner stakes.
- For long runs, add an intermediate brace so soil pressure does not bow the side.
- Place the frame over the growing area and drive the projecting stakes into the ground.
What timber should you use?
We chose untreated wood because we grow food in these beds and preferred that option. That is a personal material choice, not a claim that all modern treated timber is unsuitable for gardens.
The trade-off is simple: untreated timber in constant contact with damp soil will eventually decay. If longevity is the priority, design the bed so boards can be replaced individually and keep soil pressure and standing water under control.
How wide should a raised bed be?
I like around 90–100 cm when the bed can be accessed from both sides. That lets me reach the centre without stepping on the soil. If access is from one side only, I would make it narrower.
This is a good example of a project where simple geometry beats over-design. Straight boards, solid corners and dimensions that fit your actual garden get you most of the way there.
