How to build a raised bed - the complete guide - WoodBlocX

Our raised beds are really easy to build because everything you need is included in your kit, here we explain how to build a raised bed in one complete guide.

The wooden components used to build our DIY raised beds are all pre-cut so there’s no need to saw the wood and there’s no waste, making building quick and straightforward, after all, building raised beds should be fun!

All of our kits are built in the same way so if you’ve ordered a raised bed, seat, pond or retaining wall kit this same building method applies to all.

Helpful tools to have to hand before you start your build:
- Sprit level for checking the surface you’re planning to build on
- Lump hammer for knocking the BlocX in place
- Small hand saw to trim the dowels on the final layer of BlocX in order to fit the capping

Read our six steps to building your WoodBlocX structure below...

Your delivery will look similar to this. Everything you need here, wooden blocks, capping, dowels and angle plates. All wooden parts are cut exactly to the sizes requested so there’s no waste at the end of the build.

Once you have decided where your raised bed will sit in the garden carefully set out the bottom layer and make any adjustments to where you’re going to build it if needed. Refer to the instructions to check where the supportive buttresses and angle plates need to be positioned.

Our clever dowel system holds the structure together, simply knock these into the recess holes, make sure you refer to your instructions to ensure you’re putting them in the correct places.

When you’ve completed the first and second layers you will be on a roll. Work your way up the layers matching the first to the third, the second to the fourth and repeat.

Angle plates need to be placed on the supportive buttressed for extra strength and on the corners of the final layer before you add the capping.

Once you’ve reached the final layer before the capping is added, cut dowels down by three notches using a saw (or dowel cutters if you have ordered a Building Kit) and fit the capping using a protective piece of wood to ensure you don't damage your caps.

Do raised beds need a liner?

We always recommend using a liner with our raised beds, this provides extra protection for the wood to ensure you get the maximum lifespan out of your raised beds.

Use a geotextile for the base and a damp-proof membrane (DPM) to cover the inside walls and buttresses of your raised bed. There is no need to add lining to the base of the structure if you are building it on soil or grass. For raised beds built on patio paving, concrete or tarmac we do recommend lining the bottom and slightly up the walls of the raised bed.

How much soil do I need for my raised bed?

If you don’t already have some soil to fill your raised bed and need to order some top soil in, you can work out how much you need using this simple sum: length(m) x width(m) x height(cm), but if you are adding a drainage layer to the bottom subtract the height of the layer from the equation so you don’t over order. Contact your local soil suppliers to compare quotes.

Need a little more help? No problem

Watch our quick instructional videos which talk you through how to build a raised bed. You can find them all HERE or click on the most popular videos below.