How to Build a Planter Bench Around a Raised Planting Bed

Raised garden beds allow you to plant flowers and vegetables in clean soil, and grow them at a height that is comfortable for tending and harvest. If you're building a raised, enclosed garden bed in your yard, it only takes a few extra steps to add a garden bench top so that you can sit comfortably along the edge of your garden bed. These instructions for building a planter bench around a raised garden bed assume that the reader has a basic knowledge of woodworking and assembling wooden projects.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1x12 boards
• 1"x1" wood posts
• 1 1/2" wood screws
• Electric drill
• Router
• Mallet
• Saw (electric or hand)

1. Determine how much wood you need by measuring the perimeter and height of your raised bed.
   
   For each side on which you want a bench, you will need a 1x12 board that is the length of the side plus 1 foot at each end to make a mitered corner. Since the bench seat will be built to hang outside the planter box, you'll also need one leg for every three feet or so of seat length. As an example, if you are building a bench all the way around a raised bed that is four feet by four feet by two feet high, you'll need:
   
   4 6 foot lengths of 1x12 board for the seats
   8 26 inch lengths of 1x1 posts
   
   If you buy your lumber at a full service lumber yard, they may even be willing to cut all of your boards and posts to length for you.

2. Using a miter box, miter cut each 1x12 board at both ends at a 45 degree angle. If you don't have a miter box, measure and mark 12 inches from the end of the board. Using a straight edge, draw a line from the mark to outer corner of the board. Cut along the line to make a 45 degree angle cut. Repeat for each end of the four seat pieces.

3. Measure two inches in on the shorter lengthwise side of each bench seat. Using a router or circular saw, cut a 1/2 inch deep groove along that edge. The groove should be wide enough to fit over the top edge of the planter wall.

4. Alternatively, if you don't have access to a router or circular saw, you can create the "groove" by nailing two 1/2 inch thick strips of wood lath on the underside of each bench seat. The space between the two strips of lath should be wide enough to accommodate the top edge of the planter wall.

5. Assemble the four bench seats into an open square using wood glue to secure the mitered edges to each other. Be sure to line up the grooves with each other. If desired, reinforce the joining with metal straps and screws across each join. Clamp and allow to dry.

6. Measure 9 inches out from the corner of each planter wall. This is the point where the corner of the bench will be. Drive a 1x1 inch post 2 inches into the ground at each corner. Check to be sure that the top of the post is level with the top of the planter wall. Place other legs spaced about three feet apart on each side at the same distance from the planter wall.

7. Place the assembled bench seat in place with the groove fitted over the top of the planter wall and the outer edge resting on top of the legs.

8. Secure the bench top to the legs using 1 1/2" wood screws. Use two screws in each corner leg, one through each board that forms the corner.

9. Secure the bench top to the planter wall with 1 1/2" screws every 2-3 feet.

10. Paint, stain or finish as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a sander to round the outer edges of each bench seat piece for comfort if desired.
• A helper will come in hand when it's time to place the bench seat onto the planter box.
• This diy article assumes wooden walls on a raised bed. If the bed is made using railroad ties or wooden walls thicker than 2", the grooves aren't necessary.