How to Build a Terraced Garden Bed

Build a reference square of landscape timbers for the first garden bed. Begin by digging a trench at the lowest point of the slope. Place the landscape timber and check it for level. Adjust as needed. You'll use this first trench as a reference for the other three.

Add some paver base to the trench, and level it with a long level. Adjust as needed. Next, place the landscape timber inside the trench and check again for level. To make minor adjustments, use the sledgehammer to tamp down the layer of paver base, or you can stand on the timber. Once the first set of timbers are in place and level, repeat the same steps with the next three pieces.

Once the timbers are set in place and level, secure them using timber screws. For our bed, we cut a notch in the front board and ran a section of perforated pipe across the inside of the front board, then T-ed it into the side using another perforated pipe and a fitting. This will allow water to drain out of the front.

Drill a few holes in the reference square timbers, and pound some rebar down through to hold them in place. Next, add timbers on top of the reference square. Be sure to offset the joints, so the lines won't match up.

After the second course is complete, install the perforated pipe. Begin by laying down some landscape fabric. Put the pipe on top of the fabric, spread gravel over the pipe, and then wrap the landscape fabric back over the top. The landscape fabric will help prevent weeds, dirt and debris from entering the perforated pipe. For our terrace, we used a smaller piece of pressure-treated lumber to help tie the box together and to leave enough room for the pipe to pass through.

Backfill the first garden bed using the dirt that you dug out for the timbers. Top off with additional garden soil as needed.

After all the garden boxes are complete, you can begin planting. We chose bushes and plants that do well in partial shade. If you’re not sure which plants to choose in your terrace garden, you can use the Lowe’s Grow Together method. Choose plants with the same number on their tags so you’ll know which plants grow best together in the same area. Check out our Plant Guide as well as How to Read a Plant Tag for more information.