How to Build a Raised Bed for Utah (Vole-Proof & Alkaline-Ready)
DIY raised bed construction with hardware cloth floor to block voles, and alkaline-soil amendments built in.
TL;DR
- Time: 4 hours
- Cost: $
- Yield:
- Difficulty: Beginner
Supplies
Tools
Steps
Pro Tips
Cedar lasts 10–15 years; pine lasts 5–7. Both are fine. Avoid pressure-treated wood—not food-safe.
If you can't find galvanized hardware cloth, use it anyway—it costs more but lasts 15+ years. Un-galvanized rusts out in 5 years in Utah.
Fill in fall so amendments can settle over winter. Spring planting is smoother.
Stack two frames on top of each other if you want a deeper bed (24 inches). Use corner brackets to lock them.
Drip irrigation in a raised bed is easier to install and more efficient. Install before you fill it completely.
If you have a lot of voles, add a second layer of hardware cloth halfway up the sides. Voles can climb.
Warnings
Don't use pressure-treated wood. It contains copper-arsenic compounds unsafe for food crops. Period.
Don't skimp on hardware cloth. One gap and voles will find it.
Research & Sources
- Raised Bed Gardening for Utah
Dr. Dan Drost, USU Extension (2024) - Controlling Voles in Gardens
Utah State University Extension (2023) - Soil Preparation for Raised Beds in Utah
Dr. Heidi Kratsch, USU Extension (2024) - High Desert Garden Construction
Sevier County Extension (2023)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my old deck boards?
Only if they're untreated wood (no stain, no sealer). If they're pressure-treated or painted, don't use them—chemicals leach into soil.
Do I really need hardware cloth?
If you have voles (and most Utah gardeners do), yes. It's cheap insurance. Without it, you might lose entire beds to vole tunneling.
How much does it cost to build one bed?
Materials run $150–250, depending on wood choice and whether you buy soil. Cedar is pricier than pine. Buying topsoil in bulk is cheaper than bags.
Can I make it smaller than 4×4?
Sure. Smaller is easier to manage but yields less. A 2×4 bed is fine for herbs or greens. A 4×4 is the sweet spot for mixed vegetables.
