A raised garden bed with bench seating is the ideal solution for gardeners of all ages and abilities. Not only does it allow you to tend to your plants without bending over, but it also provides a place to relax and enjoy your gardening success. I’ve built several raised beds with benches over the years, and I’m excited to share my complete step-by-step guide to building one for yourself.
Why Add Benches to Your Raised Bed?
There are a few key reasons why combining benches with a raised bed is so advantageous:
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Reduced bending and strain. Working at waist or bench height puts less stress on your back and knees.
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Built-in seating. Benches give you a comfortable spot to sit while gardening or admiring your plants.
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Increased accessibility. Seated gardening opens up the experience for those with limited mobility.
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Greater enjoyment. Benches encourage you to spend more time relaxing in the garden.
Planning Your Raised Bed with Benches
When deciding how to build your raised bed, consider the size, shape, and seating configuration. Here are some tips:
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Size A 4×8-foot bed is a nice standard size, but adjust to fit your space Just be sure to make it deep enough to accommodate plant roots.
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Shape: Rectangular is the easiest, but you can also do L-shaped, U-shaped, or custom curves.
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Seating: Benches on 1, 2, or all 4 sides work well. Put benches where you’ll access the bed most.
You’ll also need to choose materials. Cedar and redwood are attractive rot-resistant woods perfect for raised beds. For fasteners, galvanized or coated deck screws prevent corrosion.
Step-by-Step Building Instructions
Now let’s go through the process of constructing a raised bed with a bench on one side:
1. Cut lumber to size
Cut wood boards to the lengths specified in the plans. A miter saw makes quick work of this. Pre-cut lumber is an easier option.
2. Assemble the side walls
Attach boards with deck screws to form the two side assemblies. Be sure the corners are square.
3. Add supporting posts
Position and screw in the 4×4 posts at the corners to support the walls. Having posts on the outside makes attaching the benches easier.
4. Build the benches
For each bench, attach a 2×4 cleat and horizontal 2×6 seat boards with screws and weather-resistant wood glue.
5. Attach benches
Screw the benches into the 4×4 posts at a comfortable height, about 18 inches off the ground.
6. Construct end walls
Make the front and back in the same way as the sides by attaching boards together with deck screws.
7. Complete the box
Screw the front and back walls to the side assemblies and corner posts to create your raised bed.
8. Add bottom and fill
Line the bottom with hardware cloth to keep pests out. Then fill with quality gardening soil and start planting!
Tips for Success
Follow these tips to get the most out of your raised bed with benches:
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Use naturally rot-resistant cedar, redwood, or treated lumber rated for ground contact. This prevents beds from falling apart.
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Elevate beds at least 6 inches above the ground for good drainage and to deter burrowing pests.
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Include vertical supports like 4×4 posts every 4-6 feet around the perimeter to keep beds level and walls from bulging.
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Use galvanized or other coated deck screws rated for outdoor use to assemble the raised bed. They won’t corrode like standard nails or screws.
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Add wheels or casters to make moving the raised bed easy. This allows you to shift it around to capture sunlight.
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Line the bottom and sides with 1/4-inch hardware cloth. This blocks pests from burrowing up into beds.
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Fill with a quality soil mix designed for raised beds. It will provide ideal drainage and nutrients for healthy plant growth.
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Leave enough space between plants for them to grow to maturity. Overcrowding causes issues like pests, diseases, and stunted growth.
Get Growing!
Re: How to build concrete garden beds and bench?
Thanks for sharing your question about building a raised garden bed with seating.
A lot of people have done this project, and a few of our members have built a similar raised garden bed. Based on your plans, I think it would be better to use Besser Blocks or bricks to build the whole garden bed. Not that mixing building materials is bad, but it does make assembly a bit more complicated.
I think you should read this thread: How to lay bricks for raised flower bed? by @Brunnie_Rich. Youll get a very good idea of how the garden bed is assembled. To make a good foundation, you will need to dig into the ground with the heavier materials. This will prevent the raised garden bed from sinking into the soil.
There should be no issue when rendering either Besser block or brick. However, I would like you to take a look at the ones made of timber as well.
Here are some fantastic, raised garden beds our Workshop members have shared:
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
How to build concrete garden beds and bench?
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DIY Raised Redwood Flower Bed Design with supported Bench Seat
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