How to build a raised bed
This robust raised bed is ideal for growing a variety of plants, including fruit, veg and mixed perennials.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
To do | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
A stylish raised bed is easy to build and can transform a dull corner of your garden into an attractive feature. Taking just a couple of weekends to complete this project, you'll soon be enjoying the benefits of gardening, without back pain too.
In this project we've used breeze blocks to form a robust, long-lasting structure. However, if you're after something simpler, you could go create your bed from scaffold boards, wooden sleepers or even corrugated metal or plastic.
Looking to build a raised vegetable bed? Find out how to to it in our video with Monty Don and Chris Beardshaw:
More on raised beds:
- How to build a raised vegetable bed
- Gardening tips for raised beds
- How to make a contemporary raised bed
Follow these easy steps to build your own raised bed.
Our raised bed shopping list
You might already have what you need to get started on making your raised bed. If you don't, we've done the hard work for you with our handy shopping list.- Tarmac Granular Sub Base Mot 1 Major Bag | from £5 at Wickes
- Travis Perkins Building Sand Trade Pack | from £4.82 at Travis Perkins
- Blue Circle Multipurpose Cement, 25kg Bag | from £6.60 at B&Q
- Tarmac Solid Dense Concrete Block 7N 440 x 215 x 100mm) | from £2.40 at Jewson
- Evolution Hulk 240v Compaction Plate 015-0002 | from £191.66 at ToolStore UK
- Hire - Plate Compactor 500mm | from £42.18 for 24 Hours at Jewson
- T Mech Electric Cement Mixer 70 Litre - Orange | from £184.99 at The Range
- Hire - Tip-Up Concrete Mixers - 110v | from £20.40 at HSS Hire
- Kent & Stowe Carbon Steel Round Nosed Shovel | from £20.60 at futuregarden
- Polyproplyene Wheelbarrow with Pneumatic Wheel 90L | from £54.98 at ToolStation
- Kent & Stowe Expanding Lawn Rake | from £12.99 at Marshalls
- Draper 100m Garden Twine | from £2.39 at gardenmachinesltd
- Woodside 12“ (300mm) Square Wooden Fencing Stakes (pack of 20) | from £11.99 at woodsideproducts
- Bricklaying And Plastering Set 6 Pcs | from £14.99 at Screwfix
- Magnusson 102mm Masonry Brick bolster & guard | from £10.70 at B&Q
- Wickes General Purpose Non Marking White Rubber Mallet - 26oz | from £9.30 at Screwfix
- Wickes ABS Plasterers Hawk | from £9.30 at Wickes
- Guild 230mm Spirit Level | from £3.75 at Argos
- Acrylic Line Marker Spray 750ml | from £4.79 at Palatine Paints
- Wilko Exterior Masonry Smooth English Garden Exterior Paint 5L | from £26.00 at Wilko
- Hamilton Prestige Wall & Masonry Swivel Head Brush 4.75” | from £14.99 at DIYDirect
- Turf & Lawn Seeding Topsoil Bulk Bag | from £145.14 per bag at Rolawn
You Will Need
- Hardcore (850kg bag), granular sub base MOT Type 1
- Sand (850kg bag)
- Cement (25kg bag)
- Breeze blocks (440mm x 215mm x 100mm)
- Wacker plate
- Cement mixer
- Shovel
- Wheelbarrow
- Rake
- String
- Wooden pegs
- Pole
- Pointing and rendering trowels
- Bolster chisel
- Rubber mallet
- Plasterer's hawk
- Spirit level
- Hammer
- Sponge
- Washing up liquid
- Line-marking spray paint
- Masonry paint
- Paint brush
- Loam topsoil
Step 1
Clear and level the site for your raised bed, then spread a layer of hardcore. Make sure it's about 8cm deep over the entire area.
Step 2
Compact the hardcore using a wacker plate. This machine will flatten and level the hardcore, ensuring the footings for the bed are more secure.
Step 3
Using the line-marking spray paint, mark out the shape of the bed. For straight lines, tie a piece of string to two wooden pegs, secure the pegs in the ground, pulling the string taut, then spray along the string.
For curves, tie a piece of string to a pole, pushing it into the ground at an equal distance between each end of the curve. Pull the string taut and mark where it meets one end of the curve. Walk the curve, keeping the string pulled tight, and spray. Leave the pole and marked string in place.
Step 4
Make a mortar mix – five parts building sand to one part cement. Starting with the sprayed straight edges, lay the first course of blocks, placing them on their longest end, on a bed of mortar 5cm deep. Run a length of string between two pegs to help keep the blocks in a straight line. Check the blocks are level with a spirit level.
Lay the second course of blocks, staggering the joins, using a 2cm deep bed of mortar. Use a hammer and bolster chisel to cut blocks in half for the ends. Check the levels again.
Step 5
Lay concrete blocks, short end down, on a 5cm bed of mortar to make the curved edges – this is the same height as two courses of blocks. Check curved line match up to the mark on the string tied to the pole. Lay the ends of the curved edges first, working towards the centre.
Step 6
Carefully slot in the last block, cutting it to size if necessary. Make sure all edges of the bed are level on the vertical and horizontal, and tap them straight with a rubber mallet if necessary. Leave the whole thing to set overnight.
Step 7
Make a render mix of five parts sand to one part cement, adding a dash of washing-up liquid to make it easier to apply. Using a rendering trowel and hawk, juggle the mixture like a pat of butter between the two tools until you get a really smooth consistency, then apply the first coat of render to the blocks. This should be 5-10mm deep, and don't worry if it's quite crude. Only render halfway down the inside of the bed, as the soil will cover the rest.
Once you've finished, score large diamond patterns into the surface using the corner of your trowel. This scratch coat will set overnight, then you can apply another, smoother coat on top.
Step 8
Apply a second coat of render. Before it sets completely, gently rub it with a piece of foam or sponge. This will smooth out any imperfections, giving a consistent finish over the whole surface.
Step 9
Leave the bed for at least a week, then finish with masonry paint. It's essential to leave it this longs as the firmer the render gets, the stronger the structure will be. Once the paint is dry, fill the bed with topsoil, stamping it down as you go. Then it's time to get planting.
Christmas offer
Gift a subscription to BBC Gardeners' World magazine and save 51% on the shop price.
Year Planner 2025 on sale
Starting to plan your gardening year? The Year Planner 2025 is packed with expert advice from the Gardeners’ World team, to ensure you have your best gardening year yet.
Plant of the Week: Camellia ‘Yuletide’
New podcast series
Join Monty and the team for advice on winter gardening, tulips, caring for birds, house plants and more in the new BBC Gardeners' World Magazine podcast series.