4x6 raised bed, 17 in tall
Every board for this raised bed counted, cut and priced before you drive to the lumberyard. The whole plan is on this page. The full plan set to take to the yard is $19.
- Bed
- 4 x 6 ft
- Height
- 16-1/2"
- Soil
- 29.6 cu ft
- To fill it
- 20 bags
- Materials
- $418
The list you take to the lumberyard
Every board, sheet and box of nails, packed into the stock lengths the store sells, so nothing is a guess at the counter.
- Lumber
- $179
- Hardware and finish
- $240
- 9Cedar 2x6 x 8 ft$143.82
- 1Cedar 4x4 x 8 ft$24.98
- 1Cedar 2x4 x 8 ft$9.98
- 1Exterior construction screws 3" (5 lb box)$39.98
- 20Raised bed soil (1.5 cu ft bag)$199.60
Typical Home Depot and Lowe's shelf prices, October 2026. Your store will differ by a few percent.
Cut list
Every piece, how many, and how long. Tape it to the saw.
| Qty | Board | Cut to | Part |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Cedar 2x6 | 6' 0" | Long side boardcourse 1 of 3 |
| 2 | Cedar 2x6 | 6' 0" | Long side boardcourse 2 of 3 |
| 2 | Cedar 2x6 | 6' 0" | Long side boardcourse 3 of 3 |
| 6 | Cedar 2x6 | 3' 9" | End boardfits between the long sides |
| Qty | Board | Cut to | Part |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar 2x4 | 3' 9" | Cross braceties the two long sides together across the top |
| 2 | Cedar 2x4 | 2' 1/2" | Side stakestops the long sides bowing; 8 in into the ground |
| 4 | Cedar 4x4 | 1' 4-1/2" | Corner postinside the corner, screwed through both boards |
Which piece comes from which board
11 boards, laid out so the offcuts stay small.
Build it in this order
- 01
Pick the spot
Six or more hours of sun, close to a hose, on ground you can level. Strip the grass or lay cardboard inside the footprint.
- 02
Cut the boards
Cut the 6 long boards at 6' 0" and the 6 end boards at 45". Cedar needs no treatment and lasts 10 to 15 years.
- 03
Build the first course
Set the long boards on edge, fit the end boards between them, and screw the corners to the 4x4 corner posts with two 3 in screws per board.
- 04
Stack the courses
Add the remaining 2 courses, staggering the end joints, screwing every board to the corner posts.
- 05
Brace the long sides
Drive the 2 side stakes 8 in into the ground inside the long sides and screw them on, then add the cross braces across the top. Soil pushes hard on long sides.
- 06
Fill it
It holds about 29.6 cu ft: 20 bags of raised bed soil (1.5 cu ft each).
- Every drawing at full page size, dimensions on every member
- The cut list on one page, grouped the way you build
- The cutting diagram for every board
- The materials list ready to hand to the lumberyard or load into a store cart
- The build steps with a check at the end of each
- Your exact size, not the nearest one we had
Before you fill it
How much soil do I need?
This bed holds about 29.6 cu ft (1.25 cubic yards). That is 20 bags of 1.5 cu ft raised bed mix. Fill the bottom third of a deep bed with logs and branches to save soil.
Cedar or pressure-treated lumber?
Cedar lasts 10 to 15 years with no chemicals and costs more. Modern pressure-treated lumber (ACQ or CA) is considered safe for vegetable beds by most extension services, and lasts longer; line the inside with plastic if you prefer.
How deep should a raised bed be?
11 in is enough for lettuce, herbs and most vegetables over decent soil. 17 in suits carrots, potatoes and tomatoes, and 22 in is easier on the back.
Does it need a bottom?
No. Lay cardboard or hardware cloth (against gophers and voles) on the ground inside and let roots go down.