Build a raised garden bed — step by step
Perfect for the season — your own vegetables, herbs and berries in a bed you built yourself.
This is a complete guide to build a raised garden bed yourself — step by step, with a material list, tools, a timeline and what it costs. It's written for anyone building at home without professional experience: count on 1 weekend and a material cost of around 800–2,500 kr.
Showing method: Classic built bed in treated timber
The price is an estimate based on typical material prices and can vary depending on size, material choice, location and store.
Which method suits you best?
Best for: Anyone who wants a good-looking, durable bed in exactly the right size.
Please note: Material quantities, prices and building methods are guidelines. Always check current prices, local regulations and product instructions before starting a project.
How a raised garden bed comes together
A raised bed (or stacked pallet collars) gives you your own little kitchen garden without digging up the lawn. It's gentle on your back, warms up early in the season and keeps slugs at bay. Here we build a sturdy bed in pressure-treated timber, about 120 × 80 × 40 cm.
Materials for a raised garden bed — full list
Check items off while you shop — the list stays with you on the page.
Build a raised garden bed step by step
- 01
Cut the timber
Cut four side boards at 120 cm for the long sides and four at 80 cm for the short sides. Cut four corner posts from stud timber at 40 cm.
Tip: Mark all the cuts before you saw — that way you won't mis-measure halfway through. - 02
Build the short sides
Screw two short-side boards onto two corner posts to make a U-section. Use two screws at each end. Repeat for the other short side.
- 03
Join the bed together
Stand the two short sides up and screw the long-side boards between them. Check with a square that the corners are 90°.
Tip: Have someone hold it steady — it goes twice as fast with two people. - 04
Line the bottom with landscape fabric
Lay the fabric in the bottom and staple it to the sides. This stops weeds while still letting water drain out.
- 05
Position it, fill with soil, plant
Place the bed on level ground in the sun. Fill with planting soil almost to the top edge. Water thoroughly and plant your seeds or seedlings.
Tip: Add a layer of twigs or grass clippings at the bottom — it saves on soil and feeds the plants from below.
Help specific to build a raised garden bed
How the time breaks down
A raised bed is built in an afternoon. Most of the time goes on cutting the timber and filling it with soil.
- Measure up & cut timber30–45 min
- Screw together sides & frame1 hour
- Landscape fabric in the bottom15 min
- Position & fill with soil1–1.5 hours
How to save time
- Get the timber cut at the builders' merchant — many do it for free and you avoid dragging home 4-metre boards.
- Buy soil in a bulk bag (1 m³) if you're building several beds — half the price compared to small bags.
- Build two beds at once — the timber is sold in full lengths anyway and there's time enough for both.
Questions and answers about build a raised garden bed
How do you build a raised garden bed?
A raised bed (or stacked pallet collars) gives you your own little kitchen garden without digging up the lawn. It's gentle on your back, warms up early in the season and keeps slugs at bay. Here we build a sturdy bed in pressure-treated timber, about 120 × 80 × 40 cm. The guide breaks the work into 5 steps — you start with cut the timber, build the short sides and join the bed together and work your way forward at your own pace.
How much does it cost to build a raised garden bed?
Material cost is typically 800–2,500 kr. Total cost 800–2,500 kr for a bed measuring 120 × 80 × 40 cm. The soil is often half the budget. The biggest items are boards 22×145 mm ntr ab (~12 m) 350–550 kr, studs 45×45 mm (4 short lengths) 80–150 kr and decking screws a4 stainless (1 box) 100–180 kr. The price varies with size, material choice, location and store.
What materials do you need for a raised garden bed?
You'll need things like boards 22 × 145 mm pressure-treated (ntr ab), studs 45 × 45 mm pressure-treated, decking screws a4 stainless 4.2 × 45 mm, landscape fabric and planting soil — the full material list with quantities is in the guide and can be checked off while you shop. Tools you'll need at home: power drill & batteries, jigsaw or circular saw, tape measure & square and staple gun (for landscape fabric).
How long does it take and how hard is it?
Count on 1 weekend for a raised garden bed. A raised bed is built in an afternoon. Most of the time goes on cutting the timber and filling it with soil. The difficulty level is easy, so you can manage it without professional experience if you follow the steps in order.
Which method should I choose for a raised garden bed?
There are 3 common ways to build it: classic built bed in treated timber, stacked pallet collars and tall raised bed (back-friendly). Choose a method at the top of the page — the guide, material list and cost then adapt to that solution.
What's the most common mistake?
The mistakes we see most often: using untreated timber — it rots within a couple of years, forgetting drainage at the bottom — the roots drown and placing the bed in shade — most vegetables need at least 6 hours of sun. Read through the whole guide once before you start — that way you'll avoid most of them.
And that's it, done.
Take a step back, pour a cup of coffee and enjoy. You built it yourself.
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