How to Build a Raised Herb Garden Bed

Gardening begins with the right foundation, and a raised bed provides the absolute best control over your herb quality. By lifting your plants off the ground, you gain better drainage, fewer weeds, and a comfortable working height that saves your knees during harvest season. Building this bed is a straightforward carpentry project that rewards you with years of fresh growth. Done well, the wood is stable, the soil is aerated, and the cedar frame resists decay long enough to become a permanent part of your landscape. Focus on square corners and level placement, and the herbs will do the rest of the heavy lifting.

1. Cut boards to precise dimensions. Measure your lumber to create four sides. Cut two boards to 4 feet and two boards to 3 feet to create a rectangular footprint that allows reaching the center from either side.
2. Lock corners with screws. Stand the boards on edge and drive three exterior-grade screws into each corner to connect the sides. Use a carpenter's square to keep the box perfectly rectangular as you drill.
3. Flatten the foundation. Clear away grass and debris from your chosen site. Use a long level across the top of the frame, digging out soil under the high corners until the box sits perfectly flat.
4. Block pests from below. Staple a layer of galvanized hardware cloth to the bottom of the frame. This allows for drainage while blocking burrowing pests like moles and voles.
5. Prevent weeds, allow drainage. Lay a piece of permeable landscape fabric over the hardware cloth. Trim the edges so they climb about two inches up the inside walls of the bed.
6. Fill with nutrient-rich mix. Fill the bed with a mixture of high-quality garden soil and compost. Leave about an inch of space at the top to prevent water runoff when irrigating.