Guides

Clear answers for backyard building and garden projects — the formula, a reference table and a calculator for the materials you'll need.

Raised BedsPaths & PatiosGarden FencesGarden StructuresSoil & Mulch
Cross-section of a paver patio: pavers on 1 inch of bedding sand over a 4 to 6 inch compacted gravel base, held by an edge restraint

Paths & Patios

How Deep to Dig for Pavers (+ Gravel & Sand Amounts)

How deep to excavate for a paver patio or walkway, how thick the gravel base and sand should be, and how much of each to buy per 100 sq ft.

September 28, 2026

One square foot outlined on a grid, holding four and a half 4 by 8 inch brick pavers

Paths & Patios

How Many Pavers per Square Foot? (Chart by Size)

Pavers per square foot for 4×8, 6×6, 6×9, 12×12, 16×16 and 24×24 sizes, the formula, and how much extra to buy for cuts.

September 28, 2026

Cross-section of a paver patio: pavers on 1 inch of bedding sand over a 4 to 6 inch compacted gravel base, held by an edge restraint

Paths & Patios

How to Lay Pavers for a Patio or Path: 9 Steps

How to install a paver patio or walkway: layout, slope, digging, a 4–6 in gravel base, 1 in of sand, edge restraints and joint sand.

September 28, 2026

Cross-sections of three boards labeled cedar, ground-contact pressure-treated, and untreated pine

Raised Beds

Best Wood for Raised Beds: Cedar vs. Treated vs. Pine

Which lumber to use for a raised garden bed, whether modern pressure-treated wood is safe for vegetables, and which materials to avoid.

September 28, 2026

Cutaway of a raised bed showing shallow lettuce roots and deeper tomato roots against a depth ruler

Raised Beds

How Deep Should a Raised Bed Be? (Depth by Crop)

Minimum raised bed depth for greens, tomatoes and root crops, when you need more depth, and how much soil each depth takes for a 4×8 bed.

September 28, 2026

Exploded diagram of a 4 by 8 foot raised bed: two rows of 2x6 boards, four corner posts, and a stake at the middle of each long side

Raised Beds

How to Build a 4×8 Raised Bed: Materials & Cut List

Step-by-step plan for a 4×8 ft raised garden bed from six 2×6 boards: exact materials, cut list, screw count and how to level and fill it.

September 28, 2026

Top view of two 4 by 8 foot raised beds with a path between them and arm-reach arrows to the center of each bed

Raised Beds

What Size Should a Raised Bed Be? Width, Length & Paths

The best raised bed width, length and path spacing, why 4×8 ft is the standard, and how to size beds for your space and lumber.

September 28, 2026

Diagram of a raised garden bed labeled with length, width, and height

Raised Beds

How Much Soil for a Raised Bed? (Formula + Size Chart)

The exact formula for raised bed soil volume, a quick chart for common bed sizes, and the topsoil/compost/aerator mix to use.

September 24, 2026