I now have molds ready-to-go here: manabouttools.com/product-category/abs-plastic-molds/

1°) You solved my problem. 2°) Your video is clear, well structured. Animated 3D make things even clearer and pleasant to watch. The way you provide alternatives and options for tools and processes is really useful. 3°) The video is not only efficient and clear. It's friendly. It put a smile on my face. No bragging. And a nice house cat. Do you realize how many people you're going to help with this ? Thank you so much ... from France. Have a nice day !

If you leave the rebar longer, you can do hoops for a plastic cover. Or just build a frame, and BAM, an instant cold frame, or hot house, or whatever. I can also see this being a compost bin...easy to disassemble when you want to "harvest" the black gold...

These are great , I've been wanting raised garden beds and this popped up . I'll add one thing , if you want maximum strength , keep the concrete modules submerged in water for 2 weeks after they come out of the molds . I used to test concrete cylinders to destruction in a laboratory many years ago , 2 weeks underwater gives max. strength .

I’m a mold builder. We use Plastilina Modeling Clay rather than caulking for the corners. You don’t have to wait for it to dry and you can build your chamfered edge as big as you want. We use Vaseline to smooth it out. If you use fiber reinforced cement you can do away with the steel reinforcement.

Despite my first time working with concrete, despite my terrible carpentry skills, and despite this is my first time trying a plan I purchased via KZfaq, my first panels came out GREAT!!!! Excellent plans that even a moron like me can follow! Can't wait to install!! Thanks!

Thanks for this. My neighbor and I put the molds together this weekend. Pulled my first piece out of the mold today... Looks great. Added a little coloring to the water and a custom pattern to the insert.

Absolute genius! I cant wait to get started.

You're the man Kent. Thanks for giving this next generation a leg up!

Watched Part 1 and thought this was great. Now seeing the use of the dimensionaly lumber, even better. Great design and great video. Thanks for sharing.

Excellent improvements. By far the best raised bed idea I have found.

I must say, very well done!!! Thank you for this well put together piece.

Nice job. I'll try it. Thank you very much.

Thank you ...thank you ...thank you...your idea is amazing...very intelligent design sir

Good job explaining the how to! I also enjoyed how you interlaced the sketchup model with video!

I love you idea for garden boxes. I made 2 molds and improved on the design a little to make them easier to assemble and take apart. Thank you so much.

wow, excellent...I love the versatility

That was an awesome idea! Thank you for sharing it.

I saw your last video and started to think about a simplified design but gave up. I'm so glad tha you did this design! It's great!

Looks good. I'll have to give that one a try.

I love this idea! Very versatile, and you could probably carve your own unique decorative panel carvings and maybe colour the outside of the concrete.

This was so cool! A DIY Greenhouse video would be amazing as well since you are talented enough to make pavillions and gazebos.

I am fortunate to have a table saw and miter saw, but I think it is really nice of you to discuss other ways to make the cuts for folks who don’t have those tools. After watching the entire video, I want to add that your presentation and discussion of the steps and why you are taking them is superb.

Kudos dude you did a great job. You must be an engineer. This seems like a perfect application for latex or rubber forms. Thanks

True, straight, quality lumber... amen on that.

Great job on trouble shooting for everyone. I was going to make my garden beds out of timbers this year but I think I just found out what im going to do with all my bags of concrete I have in my garage. This is a awesome idea. Thank you for simplifying it.

got my plans two months ago ,I have made 12 sides my 5/8 rod was to tight on the first one so I will put that side to the ground.looking forward to make the new forms .thanks!

I used your 'Method' to make 2 meter Grape Vine Posts with plastic piping incast holes for my Grape Vines >>> Excellent Success !!!!! >>> Thank you !

This was great. The instructions were perfect.

This is one of the best videos I have seen!!! You are an excellent instructor. Thank you for sharing this wonderful design.

Going to give it a shot. modifying plans a bit to make them all multiples of 24" so I can make it like any Tetris piece shaped garden I need. Thanks for the video!

I’m really loving these... seriously a great idea!

Great! Now he shows how to make the forms an easier way after I spent two days making them as in part 1.

Thank you SO MUCH. This is perfect for what I'm planning on building (25' x 3' bed, stacked 3' high) I'll be making them taller to the 1' hight instead of 8". I was at first a little daunted about the construction of the plans when I bought the old plans, but I was willing to tackle it. These plans are way easier! I'm more than happy to support the page and buy both sets even though I don't believe I'll be going the plywood route. Again, I cannot thank you enough for making this public information, and the videos are wonderful.

This series of videos are done very well! Thanks for doing them! They are informative and clear. I also appreciate the plans being made available. You put a lot of effort into this and it shows. I also appreciate the positive/constructive comments from the viewers. It's a joy not having to sift through negative and sometimes ugly comments. Thank you!

Nice job, thanks for inspiring us! Hugs from Mozambique

Wonderful how adjustable these can be!

TOP quality how to video. I will be makeing a bunch of these to replace my rotting wood raised beds. Thank you for the precise details.

Excellent video! Thank you for sharing this heavy duty technique. So far your garden space has been flat and fairly level. Do you have any ideas about forms for building on slopes? Sure would love to see your creativity on slope beds.

Hi, I just wanted to say that I have been making a version of this, and it works great. I can't believe how easy it was to do. I did make mistakes in the first one, like not adding a guide for the rebar, which caused it to split, but with the second one I put in some pipe guides and it works amazing. Thank you for the idea!

TY for your time and effort- and the follow up is great. You are a great man.

This is a brilliant design! You're a great designer and technician!! Everything you do with artistic flair and perfect craftsmanship!

I loved this video! Amazing design and very thorough demonstration. Also a very pleasant and well spoken voice. Dare i say it, BEST how to video EVER!!!

That looks amazing!, but SOO much work!

I will deffinately be making these in my near future, they are so versatile and one can change the layout and place of the boxes any time you change the garden as I often do when in the backyard, thank you for the ideas, very simple work and explanations!!!!!!

Great video. Just a couple of things you might consider. Instead of the 2"x 10" you could have used two 2"x 6" and put them together with an off set to eliminate the corner cuts and all your lumber can be 2"x 6" material. Also instead gluing the short pieces dowels you could send a dowel all the way through to hold the pipe in place. Then pull the dowel out when it's set up. you might be able to eliminate the pipe altogether by using a coated piece of smooth steel rod (stainless?) so it didn't stick to the concrete. As to your concerns of using dimensional lumber you might consider pressure treated lumber. But your right that plywood would be preferred. Just the cost would be significantly higher. Lastly to the point of keeping the concrete wet for two weeks I'm considering placing them in a kiddie pool. I have one that is 5'x 9'. Great Idea and thank you for sharing.

Very good idea, and very informative video(s). I have never made anything like this, but as a mason with more than 30 years experience, who has built and or repaired many brick and block planters, I have a few suggestions that might make these planters winter better. The expansion of wet soil sooner or later, breaks all planters, at least in cold environments. I would consider making your rebar stakes with a "T" handle on top, so you could just pull them out for the winter. You are right thinking of bigger holes, or smaller bar for some expansion room, however, if it's enough room the first winter, you will not have that room the second. When the ground freezes the first, and pushes everything out, instead of contracting the second, when it thaws, soil will settle, filling all that expansion room that you had to begin with. The best way to think of it is soil doesn't contract (although technically it may some), is instead of expanding in and out, it goes out then down, out then down, but never in. Another idea that is used on masonry planters is to line the inside of them with foam board. The board can be just a little lower than the soil surface for appearance. But just like above, it will eventually get so compressed, you lose your expansion room. Also with masonry planters, often the bottom is filled with gravel and weep holes are left at the bottom so that excessive moisture can drain. This idea usually fails for a few reasons. Even with a fabric of some sort above the gravel, and especially without, eventually, soil will find it's way to the spaces between the gravel, causing it to lose it's drainability, and to expand when frozen too. Also the soil above doesn't need excessive moisture to expand, damp is enough. On top of all of that. If you live someplace like I do, where the ground freezes for months but there are days warm enough to thaw snow on the surface without thawing the ground, water and ice will accumulate near the surface, above that gravel. It won't drain at the bottom, because all that moisture doesn't get to the bottom. The best advice I can give people for masonry planter is to try all those things above, in combination they'll prolong the planter's lifespan, but the best solution is to just count on expansion. And to figure out how to just let it go. If your planter system can just let the expansion happen while not breaking, you don't need any of the methods above. Instead of solid boxes, you can make walls without solid corners, etc. You could do this by pulling out the rebar. If it won't go back in in the spring, at least something didn't break. You could just remove some soil from the edges, so it would fit together, then refill it. That freezing water is strong stuff, it'll break an engine block. I've found it easier to work with it, than to try to stop it.

Hey I really loved your video! I saw the first one and second and I really enjoyed your methodology. It is obviously well thought out and took a lot of patience! Thanks.

We built your forms based on the original version and had zero problems. Haven't stained them yet so will switch to the mineral oil. THANKS for sharing everything!

I love these. Replacing rotted timber boxes around the house. Made mine 16 inches tall with plywood because that is the hieght of the existing timbers. Just upsized everything. Kind of gives a mid century modern sort of look. Thanks for the great idea!

Your first video about these forms for raised beds motivated me so much, I built a 24x24 workshop so I'd have a place to build and store the forms. Thanks for the motivation. I've been sitting around twiddling my thumbs for far too long. :)

What a brilliant idea. Thank you for sharing.

Simple, and easy to make. Thank you so much. Senen Aotriz (Philippines)

Great idea and video. Very professionally done. I have made about 35 of the 4' panels so far. Going to replace all my and mother in law's raised beds for tomatoes, okra, squash, etc. They look very nice in place and don't have to be replaced every 2-4 years, hopefully.

Great work Kent! Killer project and awesome video as always!

Amazing and I love your woodpecker!

Nice way to build a durable and affordable box will be doing these when my cedar needs replaced

Thanks Kent! Appreciate this, and now you have sold me on the new plans as well. I was just at the local Home Center today to price out materials and then low and behold an email from you about this new video and plans. Thank you for this addition.

If your worried about moisture with the concrete, you can always paint them or use water seal for the concrete. The powder dyes are an option as well. The possibilities are up to your imagination or budget. I'll need some more tools before I try. Thanks for your post!

Thank you for your this project. I live in south Mississippi and wooden garden box do not last for more then two years. I am replacing half my boxes this year and half next year. Take care..

I love this. thank you so much for sharing with us. This will help lot of people. I love gardening but do to back a neck pain it was not possible do the conventional way but this way it will be possible. Thank you so much.

Really nice plans, purchased both sets. Built 6 x 4ft forms using the framing lumber plans (shown in this video). Made a couple of minor changes: shortened the "long" side boards by 1.5 inches, this then allowed for making all of the end pieces 4 inches long. I also did not use the wooden dowel pieces to hold the plastic pipe in place, I drilled a 5/8 hole all the way though the long side board, and then a corresponding 5/8 "pocket" (partially drilled though hole). After "oiling the form", I insert a 7 inch long 5/8 inch bolt through the hole in the long side board, through the wire wrapped plastic pipe into the corresponding pocket hole on the other side of the form. Removing the panel, I just pull out the bolt, I did not have to take the form a part. I would very much echo the comments made in the video that finding straight, knot-free framing lumber is hard. Filling in all of the imperfections in the framing effort takes time. I might consider going the original plywood route next time. The tip on using a reciprocating saw (without the blade on) to vibrate the form is genius. Again, thanks for this wonderful idea for raised garden bed forms. Only 5 more sets to cast (easy part)

nice job thank you! i am looking forward to making some. my fave. all in one. creative craft constructive cheerful ;)

Outstanding videos, by the way. Watched Part 1 and was ready to go, and then saw Part 2 and was very impressed with the simplified design. I was looking into galvanized containers, too costly, and now this seems a much better way to go. Thanks!

You do a great job explaining your project. Really good work.

Here’s some positive reactions: 🙌😊👍!

I like the idea of using the 2x stock for the forms. I would just waterproof them well. Rustoleum makes a product called Neverwet that is a super hydrophobic spray coating that repels water. It is blowaway fabulous. Would absolutely keep moisture from warping forms. One would not have to use a release agent on the wood before the concrete pour. You could also shoot some texture product like truck undercoating on your forms to give the panels more of a split-face cinder block appearance. This was a great vid. Opens up a world of ideas. Well done!

Great design & tutorial, thank you.

Nice job, professional instructions. awesome.

Great design and great effort. The second form set is by far the smartest way, also im sure you have heard from other mud men out here but #2 fuel oil or diesel will give you a longer lasting coat for the dimensional lumber. Also they wont warp or twist like you may experience with a top coat like you have been using. After a few diesel baths, they will be coated permanently and you wont need to coat every time. other than that minor detail, again, great how to for a DIY'er

Don't ever apologize for a good bass line. Good bass players are a dying breed. ;)

Awesome diy. You are a great teacher.

Great, great video. Also going into my favorites list for when my house is finished building.

pharmacies also sell food grade mineral oil for very low cost as well.

Great job! I'm tempted to try a rammed earth version using a top-loading version of those new, sturdier forms. Sand, clay, with a little Portland cement added to stabilize the mixture and make it water resistant. SUBSCRIBED!

Great project. You are very professional. I couldn't help think of my kid sister's Flintstones building block set from the 60's here. They were styrofoam rectangles about 3 x 6 x 9 with a couple posts on top of each to interlock. Thanks for your video.

I watched the 1st video. You've taken a great idea and simplified it, making it even better. I'm glad I watched this because I was ready to run out to my local lumber yard after the 1st one! Nice idea rounding the edges of the concrete and ripping the lumber on both sides for a good, square edge all the way around. So, I guess now I have to watch the other 2 vids to see what else you've come up with! The only thing I can think of would be somehow casting a round edge on the ends to allow you to position the panels at any angle without binding them, but that's getting picky and I don't see anyway to do that as of right now. This s a fantastic idea and I'm defiantly building these forms, after I watch the last 2 vids!

That was an absolutely nice video, thanks for sharing and looking forward to your other projects too.

This is a nice follow up video. I look forward to the lightweight concrete experiments. Have you considered adding tint to the mix for colored concrete?

Thanks for sharing your amazing concrete garden boxes.

Great build. Just what I needed.

I don't recognize the words "too much" when talking about bass. ;) Love this idea now I just have to convince my husband!

You could also use some concrete stains in the mix

Ingenious and pleasing to the eye... Well done.

Great Job, You defiantly have a talent. Please keep these videos coming.

seu trabalho é fantástico, grato pelo vídeo VLW

I am loving this! I have some questions. How many casts do you get from each mold? Do the screws that you hold the mold together with eventually get weak since you;re taking the molds apart all the time? Thanks!

Amazing video. Great idea. Thanks for sharing!

Awesome video. I was wondering about making concrete forms. Awesome idea and looks good. Unfortunately I have three pallets of brick I received for free. They were left over from a building site. Sat in a storage for years until I came along. Cost was just to move them out so the owner of the building could use the space. Good deal for both of us.

You should make a deal with Home Depot and sell these finished pieces or the frames so people can easily create long lasting garden beds at home. I’d buy them!!

Hi Kent. I like your design and think I saw version 1 a while ago. I was thinking you could remove the decorative inlay and then add mounts for pvc like you did for the corners for the rebar. With a pvc pipe maybe every foot, you could use the hole for framing for a greenhouse hoop and extend the growing season. I think I may try this with your first version as you said it may be more durable. Do you think this design will be structurally sound?

This is a wonderful system that any DIYr should be able to handle. For a little more money MDO plywood makes excellent forms. These are something that can be shared with friends and family and would be super gifts.

Great video; to the point! I can see other uses for these cast concrete forms which would be very helpful for DIY construction. Those of us who live in central Texas are at the end of "tornado alley," but basements here are few and far between. Using this sort of construction could make it far easier to make a modest tornado shelter.

Thank you so much for sharing this simplified form design. It is truly excellent. Have you thought about mixing some color into the concrete?

Wow. That is some straight forward process, Thanks for sharing. Those are awesome. Gonna watch your other videos and see which would work better for my ability level. You’ve earned a subscriber

We made several of these garden boxes and they turned out amazing!! From one of the original plywood forms, we’ve already made half a dozen boxes and they’re holding up fantastically!

lightweight... Perlite with increased fiberglass (more than a pinch) ?

Why not build a house, man? Seriously. Practical, simple, easy to design with and calculate materials, low maintenance exterior, and any handy and reasonably intelligent person could assemble. I hope you get a patent on this, brother. This is a mass production concept. Thanks.

This is the upmost respectable video I have ever watched. New instant fan! Great video. Thanks!

Love the ideas! Great video comes across very clear and concise! You are very informative and knowledgeable. Thank you for the great content!!