Building cedar raised beds that last
When I built my first beds out of pine, they lasted two summers. Western red cedar costs more up front, but the beds I built in 2023 are still solid. The trick is less about the wood and more about keeping the bottom edge out of standing water.
I set each bed on a single course of pavers, use stainless screws, and line only the inside walls, never the bottom. Worms and drainage both need that open floor.
Cut list for a 4×8 bed
- Four 2×10 boards, 8 ft
- Two 2×10 boards cut to 45 in
- Four 4×4 corner posts, 20 in
Fill with roughly 60% topsoil and 40% compost, then top up with another inch of compost every spring.