
Cedar raised planter boxes with legs are a great way to create a beautiful and healthy garden, especially for those with limited space.
Western red cedar is a durable and rot-resistant wood that makes it perfect for outdoor use.
A cedar raised planter box can be a great addition to any outdoor space, providing a unique and functional way to grow plants.
The legs of the planter box can be adjusted to different heights, allowing you to customize the box to fit your specific needs.
A fresh viewpoint: Outdoor Wood Box
Why Choose Our Cedar Planter Box?
Our cedar planter boxes with legs are expertly crafted from 1-inch-thick Eastern cedar boards, known for their rot resistance and long lifespan. This means you can enjoy your garden for years to come without worrying about the box deteriorating.
The durable cedar construction is designed by our in-house engineer, Will Schreiber, with both durability and aesthetics in mind. This shows a clear commitment to quality and attention to detail.
Each bed is filled with nutrient-rich compost, making it easy to grow a thriving edible garden. This is especially great for those just starting out with gardening, as it provides a solid foundation for success.
You can customize the size of your planter box to fit your garden, choosing from standard sizes or requesting a custom size tailored to your needs. Please note that the weight of the bed on legs limits the size to 2 feet wide and 6 feet long maximum.
Our quick turnaround means that once payment is received, we'll begin building your bed, and you can have it delivered directly to your home. This is perfect for those who want to get started with their gardening project as soon as possible.
Suggestion: How to Raise a Bed without Legs?
Design and Features
Our cedar raised planter box with legs is designed to make gardening a breeze. The boxes stand 30 inches tall, allowing you to plant and harvest at a comfortable height without bending over.
The frame is made from 2-inch cedar lumber, which provides excellent sturdiness and reduces soil contact. The sides are made from 1-inch cedar boards that overlap each other to lock the pieces into place with minimal hardware.
The boxes feature a wooden bottom with gaps for drainage, and a liner is included to retain soil. You can choose from a 12-inch or 16-inch planting depth, depending on the type of plants you're growing.
Here are the key features of our cedar raised planter box with legs:
- 30-inch tall, making it easy to garden without bending over
- 12-inch or 16-inch planting depth, depending on your needs
- Rot-resistant cedar wood construction
- Wooden bottom with gaps for drainage
- Liner included to retain soil
What Goes on the Bottom of
What Goes on the Bottom of a Raised Garden Bed?
You can use slatted cedar boards with landscape fabric, garden fabric, or weed barrier on the bottom of a raised garden bed with legs to help with drainage of excess water and to prevent the soil from coming out.
Cedar is a great choice for the bottom slats because it's naturally weather resistant and will last several more years compared to less expensive wood like pine.

Drilling holes in the bottom of your raised garden bed is not necessary if you use wooden boards for bottom slats, as the fabric will still allow for adequate drainage.
In fact, using gravel at the bottom of the bed is also an option, but it's not necessary in this case since the fabric is doing a great job.
Here are some options to consider for the bottom of your raised garden bed:
- Slatted cedar boards
- Landscape fabric
- Garden fabric
- Weed barrier
- Gravel (optional)
Ledge Around Edge
We build the upper ledge of our garden beds with cedar boards that are 1-inch thick and 4.5″ wide. It conveniently holds drinks, tools and other items while you work in your garden.
The ledge is a thoughtful addition to our garden design, providing a convenient surface for storing and organizing gardening essentials.
Cedar boards are a great choice for the ledge due to their durability and resistance to rot and insects.
Consider reading: Aromatic Cedar Boards
Elevated Planter Box
The Cedar Elevated Garden Bed is a beautifully crafted and well-designed planter box that's sure to be a focal point in your backyard. It's available in an 8' size, perfect for adding some greenery to a large area.
To assemble the raised planter boxes, start by marking 3/8″ in from both edges of the 16 1/2″ 1×6 boards. Then, pre-dill two pilot holes on each of those marks, as drilling through the edge of the other board requires a bit more precision.
Cedar wood is very soft, so be gentle when drilling the screw to avoid splitting the wood. Attach the 1×6 boards perpendicular to the 36″ boards using 1 1/4″ deck screws through the pre-drilled pilot holes.
Here's a step-by-step guide to attaching the boxes together:
- Stack the bottom planter box under the top planter box
- Attach the boxes with screws to the wood legs
- Make sure the ledge side is on the bottom of the planter box
Once you've assembled the planter boxes, it's time to prepare them for planting. Lay some weed barrier in the bottom of the planter to prevent dirt from coming out of the slats. Then, fill the planter box with soil specifically suited for raised garden beds.
Some popular herbs to plant in your elevated planter box include lavender, basil, mint, rosemary, parsley, and marigolds.
DIY Instructions
To make your cedar raised planter box with legs, start by getting the printable DIY waist high raised garden bed plans, which include a cut list and step-by-step building steps with easy-to-follow diagrams.
Lay some weed barrier in the bottom of the planter box to prevent dirt from coming out. Fill the planter box with soil specifically suited for raised garden beds.
You can modify the design to suit your needs, as one user did by adding a shelf below the garden area for additional support and making it more useful.
A different take: Cedar Raised Garden Box
DIY Plans
You can find printable DIY waist high raised garden bed plans that include a cut list and step-by-step building steps with easy-to-follow diagrams.
These plans will make the build process much easier, so be sure to check them out. You can access them by following the link provided in the DIY instructions.
To prepare your raised garden bed for planting, lay down some weed barrier in the bottom of the planter to prevent dirt from coming out of the slats.
You'll want to fill the planter box with soil specifically suited for raised garden beds. This will help your plants thrive.
We love how our raised garden bed turned out, and we're sure you will too!
Consider reading: Wood Box Diy
Drilling Holes in the Bottom of My
If you use wooden boards for bottom slats on the bottom of the raised garden bed, you don't need to drill holes or drainage holes in the bottom of your elevated raised bed.
You can use slatted cedar boards with landscape fabric, garden fabric, or weed barrier on the bottom of a raised garden bed with legs to help with drainage of excess water and to prevent the soil from coming out.
Gravel can be used at the bottom of pots for drainage, but for a larger area like a raised garden bed, using fabric like landscape fabric or garden fabric can work well and is a good option.
It's worth noting that the size of the legs can affect the design of your raised garden bed, for example, legs 36” can fit better under a window.
You might enjoy: What Wood to Use for a Planter Box
Assembly and Construction
To assemble the cedar raised planter box with legs, start by marking 3/8″ in from both edges of the 16 1/2″ 1×6 boards and pre-drilling two pilot holes on each mark.
Attach one of the 16 1/2″ 1×6 boards perpendicular to the end of one of the 36″ boards with a 1×2 ledge, using 1 1/4″ deck screws through the pre-drilled pilot holes.
Make sure the 1×2 ledges are on the bottom sides of the planter box when assembling the boxes together.
Attach the top planter box to the top of two of the wood legs, using 2-3 deck screws on each side of the leg, and repeat on the opposite side with the remaining two wood legs.
Cut six 1x6s to the inside width of your planter box, less 1/4″, and lay them out on top of the 1×2 ledge, spaced out about 3/4″, to create the bottom of your raised planter bed.
Interior Depth
Interior Depth is a crucial aspect of elevated garden beds, and understanding how to maximize it can make a big difference in your gardening experience.
Most elevated beds have three horizontal boards composing their walls, which allows for around 12 inches of interior depth for soil on a 4' x 8' bed.
Adding another level of boards around the perimeter of the walls increases the interior depth to around 17 inches on a 3' x 8' bed.
This extra depth can be beneficial for root growth and soil retention, making it easier to maintain your garden.
For your interest: Elevated Cedar Planter Box
Materials

To build a raised garden bed, you'll need the right materials. Cedar wood is a popular choice due to its natural weather resistance and durability.
You'll need the following materials:
- (4) 1×6 @ 8ft cedar
- (3) 1×4 @ 8ft cedar
- (2) 1×2 @ 8ft cedar
- 1 1/4″ Self tapping deck screws
- 1 1/4″ Brad nails
- Wood Glue (waterproof)
- Weed barrier
Using untreated cedar wood is a good idea, especially if you plan to grow vegetables or herbs in your raised garden bed.
Initial Lumber Cuts
To start building your project, you'll need to make initial lumber cuts. Cut four pieces of lumber to 36″ and four pieces to 16 1/2″.
These cuts are crucial for the foundation of your project. Make sure to follow the measurements precisely.
From the 1x2s, you'll need to cut two pieces to 34 1/4″. Repeat this step on one of the other 36″ 1×6 boards.
Assemble Planter Boxes
Mark 3/8″ in from both edges of the 16 1/2″ 1×6 boards to create precise marks for attaching the boards together.
To attach the boards, pre-drill two pilot holes on each of those marks, even though self-tapping screws don't require it, to ensure straight holes.
Attach one of the 16 1/2″ 1×6 boards perpendicular to the end of a 36″ board with a 1×2 ledge, using 1 1/4″ deck screws through the pre-drilled pilot holes.
Drill the screw in gently, as cedar wood is soft and can split when drilling.
Repeat the above step on the opposite side using the other 36″ 1×6 boards with a ledge, making sure the 1×2 ledges are on the bottom sides of the planter box.
Stack the bottom planter box under the top planter box and attach with screws to the wood legs, ensuring the ledge side is on the bottom of the planter box.
To attach the planter boxes together, use screws to secure the bottom planter box to the wood legs.
Make sure the screws are countersunk so they don't show from the outside.
Planting and Maintenance
First, lay some weed barrier in the bottom of the planter to prevent the dirt from coming out of the slats. This will make a big difference in keeping your garden tidy.
Use soil specifically suited for raised garden beds to fill the planter box. This will ensure healthy growth for your plants.
Plant a variety of herbs like lavender, basil, rosemary, and parsley for a thriving herb garden. Marigolds are also a great companion flower to add.
Add a shelf below the garden area for additional support and to make the planter more useful. This will also provide a convenient spot to store gardening tools.
The planter box should be 4 feet wide and 28 inches deep for optimal growing space. This size will allow for a good balance between plant growth and accessibility.
Remember to start planting as soon as the planter is prepared, and enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Cost and Planning
The cost of a cedar raised garden bed with legs can vary based on the type of wood used. The total cost was about $125 in lumber using cedar from the home improvement store.
You can look into better pricing on cedar at your local lumber store to save some money. Alternatively, you can build the project with pine wood, which would be less expensive but not as weather resistant as cedar.
For a 36"x36" veggie bed, you'll want to make sure the legs can support the extra weight. If you plan to reinforce the center, you can expect the weight to increase.
Project Requirements
To start building your cedar raised planter box with legs, you'll need a few essential materials. The total number of cedar wood planks required is 14, consisting of 10 planks measuring 8 ft. 1 in. by 4 in. and 4 planks measuring 8 ft. 2 in. by 4 in.
A drill and screws will be necessary for assembling the planter box, while a tape measure will come in handy for measuring and marking the wood accurately. You'll also need a woodcutting tool, such as a miter saw, circular saw, or jigsaw, to cut the planks to the required size.
A nail gun will be required for attaching the planks together, and wood glue will help reinforce the joints. If you want to add a finishing touch, you can use exterior acrylic paint or non-toxic, water-based polyurethane stain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will cedar last in raised beds?
Cedar can last 10 to 20 years in raised beds, but locally sourced, untreated cedar is a preferred option for its durability and longer lifespan.
What do you put in the bottom of a cedar planter?
For a cedar planter, consider adding a layer of gravel or broken pots at the bottom to improve drainage and prevent waterlogged soil. This simple step can lead to healthier, happier plants.
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