Here’s How to Build a Raised Garden Bed with Lattice

A raised garden bed can be a beautiful addition to your yard, especially if space is limited, but the benefits are more than just aesthetic. You choose the soil that best suits what you want to grow, and the raised height makes for better drainage. It also helps keep out the weeds and pests that can plague your ground-level garden. You can get a jump on the growing season too because your soil will be warmer than ground soil. Perhaps best of all, your garden chores will be a lot easier because there’s less bending and kneeling. Follow DIY expert Chantelle Lourens’ easy steps to build your own raised garden bed!

Here’s What You Need*:

• (9) 2″x8″ Pressure-Treated Lumber (8-foot lengths) 

• (1) 4″x4″ Pressure-Treated Post (8-foot length) 

• (4) 2″x4″ Pressure-Treated Lumber (8-foot lengths) 

• (1) 4´x8´ Cedar Lattice 

• (8) Cedar Fence Post Holders 

• Mitre Saw

• Cordless Drill 

• Sledge Hammer 

• 3″ Deck Screws 

• 1.5″ Wood Screws 

• Tape Measure

*Lumber may vary depending on your location. To see all your options, use our Store Locator to find the Home Hardware Building Centre or Home Building Centre closest to you.

Here’s How to Make It

Last year we built our very first raised garden bed and our vegetables thrived much more than the crop in our regular garden. Weeds were kept to a minimum, our pets were kept out, and our backs were a lot less sore from gardening. So this year we decided to build a few more! We wanted the same 4’ x 8’ dimensions but with a couple of tweaks, so we headed out to our local Home Hardware for tools, materials and advice. As always, they were super helpful and knowledgeable.

Step 1: Laying the Base

We started with the bottom level. Using a mitre saw we cut one of the 2″x8″ boards in half—these are the end pieces. Then we laid out two 4-foot length boards and two 8-foot length boards on the ground like this:

Step 2: Building the Bottom Level

Before attaching the first corner we made sure any crowning in the wood was facing upwards. We also made sure the joints were flush on top so the next level would sit evenly. Using a cordless drill, we put four 3″ screws into the corner, then repeated this for the other three corners. For added strength we alternated the overlaps on the joints.

Step 3: Building Levels Two & Three

We repeated the process for the second and third levels. Once again, we offset the overlaps on the corners of each level for added strength. If you find your levels are shifting a bit while building you can temporarily screw them together, which worked for us.

Step 4: Installing the Post Holders

We wanted our corner posts to be the same height as our garden box, which is approximately two feet high. So we cut the post holders to 30″ lengths (6” will be below ground level). Next, we marked out our corner posts and positioned our post holders. These give the garden beds extra strength and stability. We drove the post holders in with a sledge hammer, using a piece of wood as a buffer to avoid damaging them.

Step 5: Installing the Corner Posts

We placed the 4″x4″ posts into the fence post holders and checked to make sure they were level with each other. Then we secured the corner posts to the garden bed. In total we used nine screws on each corner (3 screws per 2″x8″ section). Once secure, we tightened the bolts on the fence post holders.

Step 6: Building the Lattice Frame

Our lattice worked wonderfully last year for our peas and beans, so we decided to add it to this bed too. To build the frame we cut our two 2″x4″ boards into four 41″ pieces for our vertical framing. This allowed us to have the lattice partially embedded in the soil. We used our other two 2″x4″ boards for the horizontal top and bottom framing. The vertical supports were spaced 32″ apart.

Step 7: Installing the Lattice

Once the frame was assembled and attached to the garden bed, we added the lattice using 1.5″ wood screws.

That’s it! All in day’s work. With the warm weather finally here, we can’t wait to get outside and start gardening! We can’t thank the friendly folks at our local Home Hardware enough. They were amazing at helping us select the best materials and design plan for these garden beds.