Drag to turn it. 3D model render, drawn from the plan itself; photos of the finished piece are coming soon.
Black Corner Raised Bed
A modern raised garden bed: thick 2x6 cedar boards between black-painted corner posts, topped with a flat 2x4 cap that overhangs inside, so you get a ledge to sit on while you weed. Every corner is wood on wood with structural screws, and long beds get a hidden stiffener so the boards don't bow under wet soil. The plan includes three sizes and three heights, each with its own cut list, shopping list, PDF and 3D guide. An afternoon to build.
- Skill
- Level 1
- Build time
- About 3.5 hours
- Size
- 96" × 48" × 12½"L × W × H
- Lumber
- 11 boards, all 8 ft
- Size4 × 8, 4 × 4, 3 × 6 ft
- Height1 board, 2 boards, 3 boards
9 versions, each with its own cut list, shopping list, PDF and 3D guide.
Build-ready or your money back. If anything in the plan doesn't work as drawn, email us within 30 days for a full refund.
You buy the materials at Home Depot, not here. Cedar: from $420.
- Printable plan and interactive 3D build guide
- One-trip Home Depot shopping list
- Yours to keep. Build it as many times as you like
18 parts, only 4 lengths, and the cap pieces match the boards.
Every part gets a letter you pencil on its end. The drawings, the cut list, the cutting diagrams and the 3D guide all use the same letters, so you always know exactly which board you are holding.
- DrawingsFront, side and top views with dimensions
- Cut listEvery part by letter, board and length
- Cutting diagramsWhich part comes from which 8 ft board
- 6 stepsEach with time, check and common mistake
Try the build guide before you buy.
The first 2 of 6 steps are free. It’s exactly what you’ll follow in the garage, on your phone or laptop.
- Watch each step build itself, board by board, screw by screw.
- Spin and zoom the model with your finger or mouse.
- Tap any board to see its letter and cut size.
Try steps 1–2 freeOne list. One trip to Home Depot.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 2x6 × 8 ft pressure-treated pine, #2 Prime, ground contact (boards) | 6 |
| 2x4 × 8 ft pressure-treated pine, #2 Prime (cap) | 3 |
| 4x4 × 8 ft pressure-treated pine post, ground contact (corner posts) | 1 |
| 2x4 × 8 ft pressure-treated pine, ground contact (stiffeners) | 1 |
| 5" exterior structural screws, black (GRK RSS or SPAX), for the corners | 32 (2 × 25-pack) |
| 2-1/2" exterior wood screws, rated for treated lumber (stiffeners) | 8 (1 × 1 lb box) |
| 2-1/2" exterior trim-head screws, rated for treated lumber (cap) | 22 (1 × 1 lb box) |
| Exterior paint, satin black (corner posts) | 1 qt |
| Behr semi-transparent stain & sealer, Cedar Naturaltone (outside faces and cap only) | 1 qt |
- Estimated build cost
- $190–$210
- Pick #2 Prime boards and sight down each one. Take the straightest and grab one spare of each size.
- Treated pine comes wet. Stack the boards flat with scrap spacers between them, out of the sun, for 2–3 weeks before you cut. Dry boards don't shrink or twist after you build.
- Use screws labeled for treated lumber (most coated exterior screws are).
- Sand the faces and edges smooth, then stain once the wood is dry. A cedar-tone stain gives it the honey look in the photos.
- Wear a dust mask when cutting and sanding treated wood, and never burn the scraps.
Estimates based on typical Home Depot prices; your store may vary. Same cuts and same steps in either wood. The list updates with the version you pick.
6 steps · about 3.5 hours
- 1Cut and paint the partsFree in 3D40 min + drying
- 2Build the two endsFree in 3D30 min
- 3Add the long boards30 min
- 4Add the stiffeners15 min
- 5Cap it20 min
- 6Finish and fill30 min + drying
Good to know
Which sizes are in the plan?
All of them: 4 × 8, 4 × 4 and 3 × 6 feet, each 1, 2 or 3 boards high (7, 12-1/2 or 18 inches with the cap). Nine versions, each with its own cut list, shopping list, PDF and 3D guide. The smallest takes 5 boards; the 4 × 8 ft at 18 inches takes 14.
How much soil does it need?
About 24.2 cubic feet for the 4 × 8 ft bed at 12-1/2 inches high, and 37.5 at 18 inches. Each version's PDF gives its own number.
Is pressure-treated pine safe for vegetables?
Today's pressure-treated lumber (ACQ or copper azole) is widely used for raised beds. If you'd rather keep treated wood away from the soil, build the boards in cedar: the only treated parts left are the black corner posts and the hidden stiffeners, and you can line the inside with landscape fabric.
Why black corner posts?
They're the look of the modern steel-cornered beds, and they're stronger: every board butts into a 4x4 with two 5-inch structural screws, so there's no bracket to rust or work loose. The posts are pressure-treated for ground contact and painted black in both builds.
Which tools do I need?
A drill/driver, a miter saw or circular saw, a tape measure, a speed square, a level, two clamps and a paint brush. Four cut lengths, straight cuts only.