Cedar raised garden beds

Cedar raised beds and planters compared by published size, planting depth and soil capacity, with what the USDA and extension services say about how long cedar lasts.

Cedar walls built from 2 × 6 boards are 1½ inches thick, so a bed loses a little soil space to its boards. In our build plans the boards are screwed into a post inside each corner; several cedar kits use metal corner brackets instead.

Why cedar

Its heartwood resists decay, the USDA Forest Products Laboratory says.
Cedar or redwood beds can last 10 years or more, says the University of New Hampshire Extension.
Easy to build yourself: the 4 × 8 plan has a cut list.

Watch for

Untreated wood, even cedar, often starts to decay within a few years, Washington State University Extension notes.
Lower grades include sapwood with no natural resistance.
Plain steel screws stain cedar: use stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized.

The beds

All raised beds

24 beds from 7 makers · 104 sizes and layouts · 7 to 35 in tall · 4.8 to 74.7 ft³ stated

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Choose the footprint and growing depth separately

Gronomics cedar raised beds

Height not stated · 14 to 39.2 ft³ · 4 sizes and layouts

Wood · Open-bottom bed · 2-year warranty

Assemble cedar boards with sliding corner joints. Choose a square or long footprint, then a 10.5- or 17.5-inch planting depth.

Not statedHeight

10.5 to 17.5 inPlanting depth

14 to 39.2 ft³Stated soil capacity

Open-bottom bedWood2-year warranty4 sizes and layouts

Choose both the footprint and depth before ordering. The stated fill capacity is a manufacturer estimate; inside measurements are still needed for your own soil calculation.

For a classic 4 × 8 ft cedar bed

Greenes Fence cedar 4 × 8 ft bed

7 to 17.5 in tall · 18.7 to 46.7 ft³ · 4 sizes and layouts

Wood · Bed on the ground

An untreated cedar 4 × 8 ft bed with dovetail joints and 3/4-inch boards, 7, 10.5, 14 or 17.5 inches tall. Greenes states 18.7 to 46.7 cubic feet of soil.

7 to 17.5 inHeight, up to about knee height on an adult

WoodWarranty not stated

18.7 to 46.7 ft³Stated soil capacity

Bed on the groundWood4 sizes and layouts

The stated capacities equal 4 × 8 ft times the wall height. The page does not say whether 4 × 8 ft is the inside or outside size, so measure inside after assembly.

Shown: 4 × 6 ft natural cedar, 7¼-inch walls.

For a low cedar bed

Gardener’s Supply cedar bed, 7¼-inch

7.3 in tall · 9 to 28 ft³ · 4 sizes and layouts

Wood · Bed on the ground · Lifetime warranty (store credit)

Frame an existing garden area with low cedar sides and aluminum corners. Four length choices share a four-foot width.

7.3 inHeight, below the knee on an adult

7.3 inPlanting depth

9 to 28 ft³Stated soil capacity

Bed on the groundWoodLifetime warranty (store credit)4 sizes and layouts

A four-foot-wide bed needs access from both long sides for easier reaching. Include those paths when choosing the length.

For a cedar bed in the size your space takes

Greenes Fence premium cedar beds, 2 × 4 to 4 × 12 ft

7 to 14 in tall · 7 to 56 ft³ · 11 sizes and layouts

Wood · Bed on the ground

Untreated cedar beds with dovetail joints in eleven sizes from 2 × 4 to 4 × 12 ft, 7 to 14 inches tall. Greenes states 7 to 56 cubic feet of soil.

7 to 14 inHeight, up to about knee height on an adult

WoodWarranty not stated

7 to 56 ft³Stated soil capacity

Bed on the groundWood11 sizes and layouts

Each stated capacity is the size the bed is sold by times its wall height: the box filled to the brim. The 4 × 4 ft bed at 10.5 inches takes 10 bags of 1.5 ft³, the 4 × 12 ft at 14 inches 38. The 3 × 3 and 3 × 6 ft beds are two 5.5-inch boards high. Measure the inside after assembly.

For a low cedar bed in the size your space takes

Gardenary cedar raised beds, 12 inches tall

12 in tall · capacity not stated · 13 sizes and layouts

Wood · Bed on the ground

Untreated cedar beds of 1-inch boards with a cedar top trim, 12 inches tall, in 13 sizes from 2 × 5 to 4 × 8 ft. Gardenary states no soil capacity.

12 inHeight, below the knee on an adult

WoodWarranty not stated

Not statedStated soil capacity

Bed on the groundWood13 sizes and layouts

Gardenary states no soil capacity, but whether its sizes are inside or outside, a bed holds no more than its size times its height. Filled to the brim, the 4 × 8 ft bed takes at most 32 cubic feet (22 bags of 1.5 ft³) and the 3 × 6 ft bed 18 (12 bags). If those are outside sizes, the 1-inch boards leave about 46 × 94 in inside a 4 × 8: 30 cubic feet, or 20 bags. Measure between the walls once it’s built.

For deeper cedar bed walls

Gardener’s Supply Deep Root cedar bed

14.5 in tall · 20 to 60 ft³ · 4 sizes and layouts

Wood · Bed on the ground · Lifetime warranty (store credit)

Use 14½-inch cedar walls for a deeper raised growing area. Four lengths share the same four-foot width and aluminum corners.

14.5 inHeight, about knee height on an adult

14.5 inPlanting depth

20 to 60 ft³Stated soil capacity

Bed on the groundWoodLifetime warranty (store credit)4 sizes and layouts

Keep both long sides accessible. A longer bed adds growing space, but it also needs a longer clear path beside it.

For an open-bottom cedar bed in the common sizes

Greenes Fence Classic cedar beds, 1/2-inch boards

10.5 to 17.5 in tall · 7 to 46.7 ft³ · 6 sizes and layouts

Wood · Open-bottom bed

Untreated cedar beds with 1/2-inch boards and dovetail joints, open at the bottom, in six sizes from 2 × 4 to 4 × 8 ft, 10.5 to 17.5 inches tall.

10.5 to 17.5 inHeight, up to about knee height on an adult

WoodWarranty not stated

7 to 46.7 ft³Stated soil capacity

Open-bottom bedWood6 sizes and layouts

These are the same sizes and stated capacities as Greenes’ premium cedar beds, in 1/2-inch boards instead of 3/4-inch. Each capacity is the size the bed is sold by times its wall height, the box filled to the brim: the 4 × 8 ft bed takes 19 bags of 1.5 ft³ at 10.5 inches and 32 at 17.5 inches. Measure the inside after assembly.

For a mid-height cedar bed in the size your space takes

Gardenary cedar raised beds, 18 inches tall

18 in tall · capacity not stated · 13 sizes and layouts

Wood · Bed on the ground

Untreated cedar beds of 1-inch boards with a cedar top trim, 18 inches tall, in 13 sizes from 2 × 5 to 4 × 8 ft. Gardenary states no soil capacity.

18 inHeight, about knee height on an adult

WoodWarranty not stated

Not statedStated soil capacity

Bed on the groundWood13 sizes and layouts

Gardenary states no soil capacity, but whether its sizes are inside or outside, a bed holds no more than its size times its height. Filled to the brim, the 4 × 8 ft bed takes at most 48 cubic feet (32 bags of 1.5 ft³) and the 3 × 6 ft bed 27 (18 bags). If those are outside sizes, the 1-inch boards leave about 46 × 94 in inside a 4 × 8: 45 cubic feet, or 30 bags. Measure between the walls once it’s built.

For cedar joinery without tools

Gardener’s Supply Farmstead cedar bed

8 in tall · capacity not stated · 6 sizes and layouts

Wood · Bed on the ground · Lifetime warranty (store credit)

Assemble cedar boards with wooden pegs, without tools. Choose the footprint and height that suit the space you can reach.

8 inHeight, below the knee on an adult

8 inPlanting depth

Not statedStated soil capacity

Bed on the groundWoodLifetime warranty (store credit)6 sizes and layouts

Stacking another level increases the fill volume. Calculate the assembled height you intend to use before ordering soil.

For a bed that steps up in height

Greenes Fence tiered cedar beds

10.5 to 14 in tall · 23.3 to 74.7 ft³ · 4 sizes and layouts

Wood · Bed on the ground

Untreated cedar beds in 4 × 4 ft sections at two or three heights, from a 4 × 8 ft bed to a 12 × 12 ft cross. Greenes states 23.3 to 74.7 cubic feet of soil.

10.5 to 14 inHeight, up to about knee height on an adult

WoodWarranty not stated

23.3 to 74.7 ft³Stated soil capacity

Bed on the groundWood4 sizes and layouts

Each stated capacity is the sections filled to the top of their walls: 16 bags of 1.5 ft³ for the 4 × 8 ft bed, 28 and 32 for the 4 × 12 ft beds and 50 for the cross. Plant the deepest-rooted crops in the tallest section.

For a 2 ft deep cedar bed in the size your space takes

Gardenary cedar raised beds, 24 inches tall

24 in tall · capacity not stated · 13 sizes and layouts

Wood · Bed on the ground

Untreated cedar beds of 1-inch boards with a cedar top trim, 24 inches tall, in 13 sizes from 2 × 5 to 4 × 8 ft. Gardenary states no soil capacity.

24 inHeight, mid-thigh on an adult

WoodWarranty not stated

Not statedStated soil capacity

Bed on the groundWood13 sizes and layouts

Gardenary states no soil capacity, but whether its sizes are inside or outside, a bed holds no more than its size times its height. Filled to the brim, the 4 × 8 ft bed takes at most 64 cubic feet (43 bags of 1.5 ft³) and the 3 × 6 ft bed 36 (24 bags). If those are outside sizes, the 1-inch boards leave about 46 × 94 in inside a 4 × 8: 60 cubic feet, or 40 bags. Measure between the walls once it’s built.

For a cedar bed you work from the inside

Greenes Fence cedar U-shaped bed, 8 × 8 ft

10.5 in tall · 42 ft³ · 1 size

Wood · Bed on the ground

An untreated cedar U, 8 × 8 ft and 10.5 inches tall, with dovetail joints: a base 4 ft deep and two arms 2 ft wide around a 4 × 4 ft opening. Greenes states 42 cubic feet of soil.

10.5 inHeight, below the knee on an adult

WoodWarranty not stated

42 ft³Stated soil capacity

Bed on the groundWood1 size

Filled to the brim, it takes 28 bags of 1.5 ft³; with 2 inches left empty at the top, 23. The 4 × 4 ft opening is room to kneel inside and reach both arms; the base is 4 ft deep, so you reach its middle from the front or from inside the U.

For a big cedar bed with two walk-in openings

Greenes Fence cedar E-shaped bed

10.5 in tall · 45.5 to 66.5 ft³ · 2 sizes and layouts

Wood · Bed on the ground

An untreated cedar E, 10.5 inches tall, in two sizes: 14 × 6 ft and 14 × 10 ft. A back 2 ft deep joins three arms 2 ft wide, with an opening 4 ft wide between each pair. Greenes states 45.5 and 66.5 cubic feet of soil.

10.5 inHeight, below the knee on an adult

WoodWarranty not stated

45.5 to 66.5 ft³Stated soil capacity

Bed on the groundWood2 sizes and layouts

Filled to the brim, the 14 × 6 ft bed takes 31 bags of 1.5 ft³ and the 14 × 10 ft bed 45; with 2 inches left empty at the top, 25 and 36. At about 1.7 and 2.5 cubic yards full, a delivered load is worth a quote. Every part of the E is 2 ft wide, so you reach across it from one side, and cross boards divide it into boxes, 8 in the smaller bed and 11 in the larger: a box for each crop.

For an elevated wooden planter

Gardener’s Supply elevated cedar planter

29 in overall · 6.7 to 26.7 ft³ · 3 sizes and layouts

Wood · Elevated planter · Lifetime warranty (store credit)

Grow in a cedar planter raised on legs, with a slatted floor below the mix. Compare three sizes for the growing space you need.

29 inOverall height, mid-thigh on an adult

10 inPlanting depth

6.7 to 26.7 ft³Stated soil capacity

Elevated planterWoodLifetime warranty (store credit)3 sizes and layouts

Use potting mix. This planter excludes ordinary garden soil, topsoil, sand, clay and rocks, so those are not substitutes for the fill.

Shown: natural cedar planter with shelf, 10-inch planting depth.

A cedar planter with storage below

Gardener’s Supply cedar planter with shelf

35 in overall · capacity not stated · 1 size

Wood · Elevated planter · Lifetime warranty (store credit)

Use a 10-inch planting space above a storage shelf. This planter measures 48 × 24 inches overall and stands 35 inches tall.

35 inOverall height, hip height on an adult

10 inPlanting depth

Not statedStated soil capacity

Elevated planterWoodLifetime warranty (store credit)1 size

The 35-inch height includes the legs. Choose it for the 10-inch growing depth, and measure the inside before calculating fill.

A cedar growing space raised on legs

Gronomics elevated cedar beds

32 in overall · 6.5 to 8.6 ft³ · 2 sizes and layouts

Wood · Elevated planter · 2-year warranty

Raise a 24 × 48-inch cedar growing space on legs. Compare the two planting depths and overall heights for the position you want to use.

32 inOverall height, hip height on an adult

10.5 to 14 inPlanting depth

6.5 to 8.6 ft³Stated soil capacity

Elevated planterWood2-year warranty2 sizes and layouts

The overall height includes the legs. Use the separately listed planting depth when deciding whether the growing space is deep enough.

For a narrow cedar planter with a floor

Outdoor Living Today Urban cedar planter

22.5 in overall · 7.8 ft³ · 1 size

Wood · Elevated planter · 1-year warranty

A Western Red Cedar planter 48 × 18 inches and 22.5 inches tall, with a built-in cedar floor. The maker states 7.8 cubic feet of soil.

22.5 inOverall height, mid-thigh on an adult

WoodWarranty: 1 year

7.8 ft³Stated soil capacity

Elevated planterWood1-year warranty1 size

The floor keeps the soil in, so it can stand on a patio if the surface takes the filled weight. Its 3-year rot warranty covers raised beds only when lined with a waterproof membrane.

For working at standing or seated height

VegTrug Classic 1.8 m cedar trough

31.5 in overall · 14.8 ft³ · 1 size

Wood · Elevated planter · 1-year warranty

A V-shaped Inland Red Cedar trough on a frame, 72.2 inches long and 31.5 inches tall, that takes 420 liters (about 14.8 cubic feet) of soil.

31.5 inOverall height, hip height on an adult

WoodWarranty: 1 year

14.8 ft³Stated soil capacity

Elevated planterWood1-year warranty1 size

The soil is deepest in the middle of the V, so a length × width × depth estimate overstates it; use the maker’s 420 liters. VegTrug says the working height allows wheelchair access.

For a deep cedar planter at standing height

Veikous cedar planter on legs, 4 × 2 ft, 14 inches deep

Height not stated · 7.3 ft³ · 1 size

Wood · Elevated planter

A 4 × 2 ft cedar planter on legs with a 14-inch planting depth and three drainage holes. Veikous states 7.26 cubic feet of soil.

Not statedOverall height

14 inPlanting depth

7.3 ft³Stated soil capacity

Elevated planterWood1 size

7.26 cubic feet takes five bags of 1.5 ft³. Veikous sells two finishes, a sprayed and a roller-applied varnish, with the same size and capacity.

For a cedar planter at waist height

Gardenary elevated cedar planter

32 in overall · capacity not stated · 2 sizes and layouts

Wood · Elevated planter

An untreated cedar planter on legs, 32 inches tall with a 12-inch-deep growing space over a slatted floor, in two sizes: 48 × 24 and 36 × 21 in.

32 inOverall height, hip height on an adult

12 inPlanting depth

Not statedStated soil capacity

Elevated planterWood2 sizes and layouts

Gardenary gives the growing depth, 12 inches, but no inside size or capacity. Filled 12 inches deep, the 48 × 24 in planter holds at most 8 cubic feet (6 bags of 1.5 ft³) and the 36 × 21 in planter 5.25 (4 bags). If those are outside sizes, the 1-inch boards leave about 46 × 22 in inside the larger one: 7 cubic feet, or 5 bags. Gardenary says small gaps between the floor slats let the water drain.

For a cedar planter raised off the ground

Greenes Fence elevated cedar planters

19 to 31 in overall · 4.8 to 6.2 ft³ · 4 sizes and layouts

Wood · Elevated planter

Cedar planters on legs, each with a fabric liner: 2 × 4 ft at 31 or 19 inches tall and 16 × 32 inches at 31 inches, 7.5 to 9.75 inches deep inside.

19 to 31 inOverall height, up to hip height on an adult

7.5 to 9.8 inPlanting depth

4.8 to 6.2 ft³Stated soil capacity

Elevated planterWood4 sizes and layouts

Greenes gives each planter’s inside size, so the soil answer is exact: the 2 × 4 ft planter holds 6.2 cubic feet at 9.6 inches deep, 5 bags of 1.5 ft³, or 4.8 cubic feet (4 bags) in the original cedar at 7.5 inches. For the 16 × 32 inch planter Greenes states 9.3 cubic feet, but its inside size holds about 2.8: two bags fill it.

For a planter at working height that waters itself

Gardener’s Supply self-watering elevated cedar planter

29 in overall · 6 to 12 ft³ · 2 sizes and layouts

Wood · Self-watering planter on legs · Lifetime warranty (store credit)

A cedar planter box on legs, 29 inches tall, with 10 inches of potting mix over reservoirs of 10 gallons (2 × 4 ft) or 20 gallons (2 × 8 ft).

29 inOverall height, mid-thigh on an adult

10 inPlanting depth

6 to 12 ft³Stated soil capacity

Self-watering planter on legsWoodLifetime warranty (store credit)2 sizes and layouts

Gardener’s Supply states 6 cubic feet of potting mix for the 2 × 4 ft box and 12 for the 2 × 8: 4 and 8 bags of 1.5 ft³. Use potting mix only; the maker excludes garden soil, topsoil, sand, clay and rocks.

Shown: natural cedar patio planter with shelf, 5.25-inch planting depth.

A shallow planter for a compact space

Gardener’s Supply cedar patio planter with shelf

33.2 in overall · capacity not stated · 1 size

Wood · Elevated planter · Lifetime warranty (store credit)

Add a shallow growing space and storage shelf in a 46 × 22.7-inch overall footprint. It has 5.25 inches of planting depth.

33.2 inOverall height, hip height on an adult

5.3 inPlanting depth

Not statedStated soil capacity

Elevated planterWoodLifetime warranty (store credit)1 size

The shallow planting space is a different choice from the 10-inch-deep shelf planter. Compare the depth required for your planting plan.

For a long cedar planter at standing height

Veikous cedar planter on legs, 2 × 8 ft

30.2 in overall · 9.8 ft³ · 1 size

Wood · Elevated planter

An 8 ft cedar planter on legs, 30.2 inches tall, with built-in dividers and nine drainage holes. Veikous states 9.8 cubic feet of soil.

30.2 inOverall height, hip height on an adult

WoodWarranty not stated

9.8 ft³Stated soil capacity

Elevated planterWood1 size

9.8 cubic feet takes seven bags of 1.5 ft³. Veikous gives no planting depth, so measure the inside before choosing deep-rooted crops.

How long cedar lasts

Cedar heartwood is in the decay-resistant group in the USDA Forest Products Laboratory’s Wood Handbook, which says resistant heartwood generally serves well above ground. The University of New Hampshire Extension says cedar or redwood beds can last 10 years or more; Washington State University Extension notes that untreated wood, even cedar, often begins to decay within a few years. Lower grades include sapwood with no natural resistance.

Buy a kit or build one

The kits below state their sizes, and some state a planting depth. To build your own, the 4 × 8 cedar bed plan has a cut list and steps, and the best wood guide compares cedar with redwood, pine and treated lumber.

Screws and hardware

Cedar contains tannins that stain around plain steel, Simpson Strong-Tie notes. The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association recommends stainless steel screws for outdoor cedar, with hot-dipped galvanized as the alternative.

References

Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material (FPL-GTR-282), chapter 14: Biodeterioration of Wood, USDA Forest Products Laboratory.
Solid-Color Stains on Western Redcedar and Redwood Siding, USDA Forest Products Laboratory.
How to Utilize Raised Beds for Small Space Gardening, University of New Hampshire Extension.
Raised Beds: Will They Benefit Your Vegetable Garden? (FS075E), Washington State University Extension.
Corrosion Information for Wood Connectors & Fasteners, Simpson Strong-Tie.
Fasteners for Outdoor Projects, Western Red Cedar Lumber Association.