What Do I Need to Make a Raised Garden 6-by-3 Feet?

Soil in raised beds should retain moisture while remaining loose and aerated.


A 6-by-3-foot raised garden bed is long enough to support a full garden, but narrow enough so that you can tend the plants in the center without walking onto the bed. Raised garden beds require a few materials to get them built and started on the right foot. Selecting the right amount of lumber and soil ensures you have enough to build the bed at the desired size.

Frame Materials

Wood planks or concrete blocks provide the simplest material options for constructing a 6-by-3-foot raised bed. If you use wood, use two 6-foot-long and two 3-foot-long 2-by-12 boards. Untreated boards are preferred for edible gardens so chemicals don't leach into the soil. You will also need wood screws and a drill to construct the wood box for the bed. For block walls, cinder blocks work well because they set level and don't require mortar. You also need a black plastic mulch or landscape fabric for lining the bed as you construct it.

Basic Construction

Remove weeds and sod from the garden site before constructing the bed. Lay out your sheet of plastic or fabric over the cleared area. The plastic helps prevent weeds from germinating and growing into your raised bed after construction. For a wooden frame, nail or screw together the boards to form a box, and then set the frame on top the plastic. For block frames, stack two layers of blocks, offsetting the joints between each layer. You can trim off the plastic that protrudes outside of the frame, if desired.

Soil Needs

The soil in your raised bed is the most important material for healthy plant growth. Compost provides organic matter, which aids drainage and improves soil texture. The compost also provides a nutrient-rich environment so the garden won't require immediate fertilization. Use compost on its own or combine it with equal parts potting soil. You need approximately 15 cubic feet of soil for a 6-by-3-foot bed if you make it 10 inches deep, or 18 cubic feet for a 12-inch depth.

Maintenance Supplies

Raised beds require minimal maintenance materials once constructed. Mulch, either black plastic, wood chips or straw, can help conserve soil moisture and minimize water needs. Handheld garden tools, including a trowel and weed cultivator, are all that's needed to maintain the bed. Power tools or those that require walking in the bed aren't suitable for raised beds because they will compact the soil in the garden. You can also install a drip irrigation system to further minimize hands-on garden maintenance.

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