Garden Glow-Up: How to Build a Beautiful Backyard Upgrade + Pizza Night Dream
Published July 15, 2025
Alnissa Craig of Alnissa Grows is a garden content creator who believes everyone can grow something beautiful. She's been gardening since 2020 and loves to share simple, stylish ideas to help people make the most of their outdoor space. From DIY builds to seasonal planting tips, Alnissa is here to help you grow with confidence.
A Note From The Home Depot
Follow along as Alnissa Craig of Alnissa Grows turns an underused corner of her yard into a vibrant, memory-making garden space with raised beds built with supplies from The Home Depot. It's more than a garden—it's a place for food, family, and connection.
Table of Contents
Intro: Bring Charm + Structure to Your Garden
Step 1: Gather Your Tools + Materials
Step 2: Cut + Seal Your Lumber
Step 3: Assemble Your Garden Beds
Step 4: Install the Garden Arch
Step 5: Create a Garden Dining Vibe
Intro: Bring Charm + Structure to Your Garden
When I set out to refresh a shabby area in my garden, I wanted more than just function, I wanted structure and beauty as well. I decided on replacing my two, deteriorated existing garden beds with two new, taller raised garden beds connected by a decorative arch.
But I didn’t stop there. I wanted to create a space that I could admire and also sit in and enjoy. So I planted a special pizza themed garden that I could pick fresh ingredients from. I also added an outdoor pizza oven, a bistro table set and cafe string lighting to bring the whole space to life.
This project can be accomplished as a weekend DIY project using materials from The Home Depot, and I’m breaking it all down here so you can recreate it in your own space!
Step 1: Gather Your Tools + Materials
Here’s everything I used for this project—available in-store or online at The Home Depot.
This supply list is for two 4’ x 4’ x 18” beds. You can adjust for your needs. I used cedar lumber for my beds for longevity but feel free to use whatever lumber fits within your budget.
Materials:
- (2) 4” x 4” x 8’ lumber – for corner supports
- (20) 2” x 6” x 8’ lumber – for bed sides and top trim
- Deck Wood Screws – 2 1/2” exterior
- Outdoor wood sealant
- Paintbrushes
- Decorative garden arch
Tools:
- Power drill
- Circular saw (or have cuts done at Home Depot)
- Tape measure
- Level
- Work gloves
Step 2: Cut + Seal Your Lumber
I started by cutting the lumber to size:
- Sides: 24 pieces cut from 2” x 6” x 8’ at 48 inches
- Corner supports: 8 pieces cut from the 4” x 4” at 21.75 inches
- Top trim: 8 pieces cut from 2” x 6” x 8’ at 59.5 inches
I sealed my beds after they were already assembled to protect the wood and extend the life of the beds, but it may be easier to brush on a weather-resistant sealant after you make your cuts prior to assembly. Allow the boards to fully dry before assembling.
Step 3: Assemble Your Garden Beds
To assemble:
- Place the boards in a rectangle
- Use the 4” x 4” corner posts to anchor each corner
- Drill 3 screws per corner to secure the sides to the posts
Repeat this for both garden beds.
For the trim, align the four boards on top and secure them in place. To ensure a secure attachment, begin by drilling pilot holes and then fasten the boards using screws of the same size.
Step 4: Install the Garden Arch
The garden arch adds height and charm. I centered it between the two beds and anchored it securely into the soil using the included stakes.
This adds function and beauty, as the arch will serve as a trellis to the climbing vegetables (like tomatoes or cucumbers) allowing me to maximize my growing space.
Once the beds were in place, I filled them with raised bed soil and planted everything I’d need for pizza toppings:
- Tomatoes
- Banana peppers
- Basil + oregano
- Red onions + garlic
These plants are all easy to grow in raised beds and thrive in full sun, perfect for backyard pizza night prep.
Step 5: Create a Garden Dining Vibe
To finish the space, I added:
- An outdoor pizza oven
- Bistro table
- Bistro lights for beautiful ambiance
Whether you’re dining solo or with friends or family, this setup invites you to linger longer outside.
Imagine this: golden hour, string lights glowing, the smell of fresh basil and oregano in the air, and your pizza baking right next to your garden beds. That’s the vibe.
Step 6: Harvest + Host Pizza Night in the Garden
A few weeks later, I harvested some fresh ingredients such as basil, oregano and tomatoes and used them to top my pizza dough along with marinara and fresh mozzarella. Then cooked it right in the outdoor oven and made the most amazing homemade pizzas.
It wasn’t just a meal — it was a full-circle garden moment: from seed to slice, all in the comfort of my backyard garden space.
Final Thoughts: Make It Yours
Building these beds gave me more than a productive garden, it created a space for food, family, and memories. Everything I used for this project is available at The Home Depot, your one-stop shop for DIY, gardening, and outdoor living inspiration.
I highly recommend taking an unloved and underutilized area in your yard and transforming it into something fun, beautiful and functional.
This post was created in partnership with The Home Depot. The author may have received compensation for this article and associated images or video, potentially in the form of products and/or services. All expressed opinions and experiences are the author’s own words.
