Raised garden beds are a convenient way to make the most out of your garden. With good drainage, protection from weeds and many pests, plus well-aerated soil perfectly blended to encourage growth, raised beds are a great choice for those with limited space, soil or sunlight restrictions or just an appreciation for higher yields from less effort. Raised garden beds come in a variety of sizes and styles, but can be pricey. For those interested in raised bed gardening without the expense, this raised garden bed DIY project is easy to build in an afternoon (even for beginners) for a fraction of the cost of store-bought kits. Editor's note: Though pressure-treated lumber in the past was treated with arsenic, today's pressure treated wood is instead preserved with MCA (micronized copper azole) or ACQ (alkaline copper quarternary), which contain copper compounds as wood preservatives. These pressure-treated woods are commonly considered safe to use around edibles. If you are still concerned about copper leaching into the soil, for your peace of mind, you can line your raised bed interior sides with heavy plastic sheeting or use redwood or cedar instead. Never use upcycled wood treated with creosote for any garden application. Creosote is a potential carcinogen commonly used in telephone poles and railroad ties, and can leach into soil.