Raised bed with seat

Mark Rayner shows you how to build this stylish raised bed from landscaping timber, complete with a built-in seat - perfect for some relaxing, easy-access gardening.

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You will need: 200mm x 50mm H4 tongue and groove landscaping timber cut to the following lengths: Four x 1.2m, six x 2m, 100mm x 100mm x 2.4m H4 fence post cut into six 400mm lengths, 100mm galvanised jolt head nails, twelve M8 x 100mm galvanised coach screws*, twelve M8 galvanised washers*, Resene Woodsman Penetrating Oil Stain tinted to Resene Grey Green, paintbrush, tape measure, pencil, saw, coarse sandpaper, hammer , drill and drill bits, two large clamps, socket set or adjustable spanner, paint stirrer, set square, spirit level, garden fork or spade, good quality topsoil or potting mix.

* Mark used coach screws and washers to attach the front of the raised bed as part of the design look, but you could use 100mm nails instead, which would be a cheaper option.

For a different look: To create a darker look, use Resene Woodsman Penetrating Oil Stain tinted to Resene Pitch Black.

Another idea: Use your raised bed to grow a selection of herbs and salad crops or plant up with fragrant and tactile plants to create a sensory raised garden.

Step 1
Measure and mark the landscaping timber and fence post to the lengths as listed.

Step 2
Cut the timber and smooth any rough edges with coarse sandpaper.

Step 3
To create one side wall of the raised bed, attach two of the lengths of fence post to two of the 1.2m lengths of landscaping timber, as shown, fixing with 100mm nails. Ensure top edges are flush.

Step 4
Repeat step 3 with two other lengths of fence post and the remaining 1.2m lengths of landscaping timber.

Step 5
Turn the two sides upside down and upright on a flat surface and place one of the 2m lengths of timber at 90 degrees to them, ensuring edges are flush. Drill two pilot holes at each end to fit the coach screws. Place a second 2m length of timber on top of this and drill two more pilot holes at each end.

Step 6
Turning the sides and front of the raised bed the right way up, place in position, holding the front in place with a large clamp at either end.

Step 7
Fix a coach screw and washer into each of the pre-drilled pilot holes along the front of the raised bed. In the same way, attach another length of fence post, centrally along the front. Again, ensure the top edge is flush.

Step 8
Fix the back into position, as shown, using 100mm nails. Again, use clamps to hold the lengths of timber in position. Use a set square to ensure the walls of the raised bed are at right angles and use a spirit level to make sure they are level.

Step 9
Attach the remaining 2m lengths of timber along the front and back edge of the raised bed, fixing through the top, into the fence post supports, with 100mm nails.

Step 10 how to build a raised garden bed

Step 10
Carefully stir the Resene Woodsman with a paint stirrer.

Step 11 how to build a raised garden bed

Step 11
Apply two coats of Resene Woodsman to the raised bed, allowing 24 hours for each coat to dry (48 hours in cold weather).

Step 12 how to build a raised garden bed

Step 12
Fill the raised bed with good quality topsoil or potting mix and plant up with drought- tolerant plants for a low-maintenance bed, or potted colour and bulbs for a changing seasonal display.

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