Build a DIY Raised Garden Bed
Collection Items
SUCCESSWhen should I expect to get my items?
See availability by item
Construct the Raised Garden Bed
Measure and mark the length of the walls and cut the boards. Measure and cut 2-by-4s for corner posts to support the walls. They should be the height of the garden bed wall. You can also cut posts to install along the walls for additional strength.
For our frame, we cut six 6-foot boards, six 3-foot 9-inch boards and ten 10-1/2-inch support posts. You can build this bed with ten 10-foot 2-by-4s.
Clamp together the boards for each wall. Set the corner posts on top of the wall boards, flush with the ends of the 6-foot walls and set back 1-1/2 inches from the ends of the shorter walls. Drill pilot holes and attach the posts with screws. If you cut additional posts, attach them as well.
Drill pilot holes and connect all the sides with screws to form a box. The posts should be on the inside of the bed.
Set up the Raised Garden Bed
Place the frame in position and outline it with a shovel. Setting up the bed on the ground rather than a hard surface — such as concrete — allows proper root growth and drainage.
A raised bed frame is heavy and unwieldy. Enlist a helper when it's time to move it.
Set the frame aside to remove the grass. Loosen the dirt with a spading fork to help your new plants' roots grow deeply into the ground.
Before you set the bed in place, staple wide-mesh hardware cloth to the bottom of the frame. The mesh helps keep weeds out, but earthworms can still get in to enrich the soil. As an alternative to hardware cloth, you can consider using landscape fabric or even newspaper to block weed growth from below, but keep in mind that weed seeds can fall onto the soil and germinate.
If the wood isn't rot-resistant, staple heavy-duty plastic along the inside walls before adding the soil.
Plant Your Raised Garden Bed
Fill the bed with a mix of nutrient-rich soil and compost. Use our Mulch and Soil Calculator to estimate the amount you need and see our article on soil and soil amendments to learn how to improve your soil. You can also purchase bagged raised garden bed soil to make filling the bed easier and to give your plants the best start.
Set the plants in holes and lightly fill in with soil. Keep the soil loose around the plants to allow water to reach the roots.
If you use container plants, break up the root balls before planting.
Items Included in this Collection
Item #27172 |
Model #S204SE.294.10
(Common: 2-in x 4-in x 10-ft; actual: 1.5-in x 3.5-in x 10-ft)
Our lumber is a premium blend of spruce, pine and fir
Stable, strong, light in weight and easy to work with
Ideal for a wide range of residential and commercial construction projects
Durable, versatile and ideally suited for much more than framing but also other home accents such as flower boxes, fencing, decking, building a farm-style table, blanket ladders and more
Untreated to showcase the integrity of the wood grain
Kiln dried to a moisture content level less than 19% to increase stability
General | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Hardwood/Softwood | Softwood | Wood Species | Whitewood |
Type | Lumber | Series Name | (Common: 2-in x 4-in x 10-ft; Actual: 1.5-in x 3.5-in x 10-ft) |
Grade | #2 Prime | Green or Kiln-Dried | Kiln-dried |
Contact Type Allowed | Above ground | ||
Dimensions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Common Measurement (T x W) | 2-in x 4-in | Common Length Measurement | 10-ft |
Industry Standard Min Thickness (Inches) | 2 | Actual Length (Feet) | 10 |
Industry Standard Minimum Width (Inches) | 4 | Actual Width (Inches) | 3.5 |
Industry Standard Minimum Length (Feet) | 10 | Actual Thickness (Inches) | 1.5 |
Features | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dressing | S4S | ||
Certifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|
CA Residents: Prop 65 Warning(s) | No | Meets AWPA Standards | Yes |
Warranty | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Warranty | None | ||
Compatibility | |||
|---|---|---|---|
For Use with Framing | No | For Use with Shelving | No |
For Use with Floors & Ceilings | No | For Use with Landscaping | No |
For Use with Woodworking Projects | Yes | For Use with Decking | No |
For Use with Wall Paneling | No | For Use with Fencing | No |
For Use with Furniture & Cabinets | Yes | ||
Miscellaneous | |||
|---|---|---|---|
UNSPSC | 30103600 | ||
Ratings may include incentivized customer reviews.
What Customers Are Saying
The lumber has mixed quality, with some boards being high-quality and straight, while others have issues like warping, cracking, or knots. Customers need to carefully inspect the available stock in-store to find the suitable pieces for their projects. The lumber is generally affordable and accessible, but the selection and consistency of quality can vary compared to specialty lumber yards.
Customer review summary generated by AI, including incentivized reviews.I used this wood to create a built in shoe rack when you enter my home. It’s super sturdy and all of my boards were super straight. Ordering it for pickup was super easy too.
Verified Purchaser
40 hours on the phone, no help and assistance
Lowes delivery system is broken. Associate changed delivery address and put in wrong address. I spent over 40 hours from AI to multiple associates hanging up on me. Asked for any manager, associates would hang up rather than transfer me to a supervisor. I have now a buddle of lumber sitting on my lawn at my home. I do not have a truck to move lumber 40 miles to the correct location. I will never ever do business with lowes again. I will return product and have them pick up and if my grass dies, ...
Verified Purchaser
Great for outside shelving
I really liked the length of the piece of wood because it was a perfect fit for my stand for my outside storage unit. I'm building some shelves for boxes and these were perfect for it, sturdy and good quality. the color is also nice and easy to paint over with white paint.
Quality products and quality service at a fair pr.
I appreciate the fact that the lumber is always dry and straight. I have my lumber delivered and unlike other suppliers, Lowe’s staff takes the time to make sure that everything that ships is of high quality. 3+ years of purchasing at Lowe’s has resulted in 0 complaints. also, the deliveries show up when promised.
If you need a 2x4, this is fine
I was wary of this product since I have always used pine and wasn't sure how the generic whitewood would work out, but gave it a try. Met all of the requirements for constructing interior walls and actually seemed a little lighter than the standard pine.
Good lumber for the price
This lumber is a solid go-to for everyday building projects. It’s lightweight, cuts smoothly, and holds nails and screws without any hassle. The surface is pretty clean, too. Overall I really liked it. It’s reliable, affordable, and great for both DIY jobs and bigger builds.
Always go with salt treated. It’s a great quality.
Product was great. Used it to build a new bathroom. The store delivered it and picked out all quality solid pieces. With having it delivered I was worried I would get bad pieces but with all good materials the build took no time.
Serves Their Purpose for Framing
These worked well for additional framing in my metal building where I needed some additional backing to screw in my sheathing.
Verified Purchaser
No all wood is the same
Not all wood is created equal. While the 2x4 were 10' long, we had to go through the selection at the store to find the 9 good ones based on straightness, appearance, and damage-free. It would have been nice if these "premium" boards would have been more premium.
From 2-in x 4-in x 10-ft #2 Prime Whitewood Kiln-Dried Lumber Verified Purchaser
Measure your boards before you purchase them
It’s was not 10foot long as stated on the price label and on the store sales shelf it was only 9’4” as was the whole lot on display so thanks to this I had to go back and purchase 2 more boards. Next time I’ll take a tape measure with me