What's the best wood for raised garden beds?

Western red cedar and redwood are top choices — naturally rot-resistant and safe for edible gardens. Cedar balances durability (15-20 years) with reasonable cost. Pressure-treated pine is the most affordable at 10-15 years lifespan.

How deep should a raised garden bed be?

For most vegetables and flowers, 12 inches is standard. Root vegetables prefer 18-24 inches. For accessible/wheelchair-height beds, 24-30 inches is typical.

How much soil do I need to fill a raised bed?

A standard 4x8 bed at 12 inches deep needs about 32 cubic feet (1.2 cubic yards). Use the layered fill approach — bottom third with organic debris, top two-thirds with raised bed mix — to cut soil costs by 30-40%.

Treated vs untreated lumber — which is safer for edibles?

Modern pressure-treated lumber uses ACQ which the EPA considers safe for vegetable gardens. The old CCA treatment was banned in 2003. For zero chemical contact, use cedar, redwood, or white oak.

How long will my raised bed last?

Lifespan depends on wood: pressure-treated pine 10-15 years, cedar 15-20 years, redwood and white oak 15-25 years, Douglas fir 5-7 years. Using a liner and proper drainage extends lifespan.

What is the hügelkultur base layer approach?

Fill the bottom third of your bed with coarse organic material (wood chips, branches, leaves). As it decomposes, it feeds plants, retains moisture, and saves 30-40% on soil costs.

Raised Bed Lumber Calculator - How Much Wood Do I Need?

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