Want to take your gardening game to the next level? Consider a raised garden bed. It is an excellent solution for city dwellers surrounded by asphalt and concrete, but also people with large gardens can benefit from elevating their plants.
Planting in raised beds minimizes the amount of weeds and critters creeping into your yard and is “ergonomically beneficial,” says gardener Lisa Catalano of Our Garden Gigi. “They allow you to work in your garden with less bending, which eliminates back and knee pain during sowing, watering, weeding, fertilizing and harvesting. The higher the bed, the more you benefit from less stress on your body.”
Raised flower beds that stay in contact with the ground can also act as a sponge, requiring less water than your traditional garden, and depending on the type you choose, they can also extend the growing season.
We scoured the market to find the best raised garden beds, and our main criteria was the material’s durability, or ability to withstand weather and heavy soil over time. We’ve added several sizes and depths to suit different needs and identified some special features such as organization shelves and click gates. We also spoke with Catalano to learn more about the details to look for when buying raised flower beds, as well as helpful tips on how to care for them.
Our top pick, the Vego Garden 6-in-1 Metal Modular Raised Garden Kit is durable enough to support your heirloom tomatoes for decades to come. Made from zinc-coated metal, it is more corrosion resistant than standard galvanized steel and is also thicker, providing warping walls that won’t detract from the beauty of your garden. Although it is more expensive than some other choices, it will save you money in the long run.
Find more of our recommendations for raised garden beds below, and keep scrolling for tips on choosing, filling and caring for your raised bed. Best Raised Garden Bed Ever: Vego Garden 6-in-1 Modular Metal Raised Garden Bed Set.
- Dimensions: 72 x 36 x 33.5 inchesg
- Material: Cedar
- Planting Depth: 20 inches
- Best item
- Each raised metal garden bed size: 4×2×1ft ,7.14Cu
- Dimensions: Modular (three size options)
- Material: Galvanized steel
- Planting Depth: 12 inches
- Modular Design
- Better Material
- Easier and Safer Installation
- Healthier Roots and Less Bending Down
1. Best Overall Raised Garden Bed: Vego Garden 6-in-1 Modular Metal Raised Garden Bed Kit
Who it’s for: People who want to be able to configure their raised beds for their garden projects.
Who it’s not for: People who like the look of wooden planters.
Vego Garden benches look great and last a long time. Garden beds made of corrosion-resistant Aluzinc-coated metal are more resistant to corrosion and rust than ordinary galvanized steel beds and other corrugated cardboard beds. Need another reason to love Aluzinci? No soil pollution. Extreme temperatures can accelerate the degradation of materials such as plastic and wood, while Aluzinkki tolerates extreme temperatures well and does not release chemicals into the soil and plants.
At 17 inches tall, this special garden bed promotes vigorous root growth and minimizes the number of twisty turns associated with underground gardening. The height of the bed also reduces the number of critters that can get into your beds (although you may need to add a short screen or netting to prevent rabbit damage entirely). Users also appreciate the rounded edges of the bed and the lack of sharp edges, which reduces the chance of bumps and snags and makes gardening safer and more comfortable. This bed has a modular design with six possible configurations and four color options, offering many possibilities to enhance your garden.
Product Details:
- Dimensions: Modular (six possible combinations)
- Material: Aluzinc-coated metal
- Planting Depth: 17 inches
2. Best Budget Raised Garden Bed: Land Guard Galvanized Raised Garden Bed Kit
Who it’s for: Beginner gardeners or those on a budget.
For those who aren’t: for those who want wooden beds or raised beds with integrated storage.
A fully functional and durable bed for less money, we love the Land Guard Galvanized Raised Garden Bed Set. As our top pick, it is made from galvanized metal, and while it lacks the Aluzinc coating, it has a rust-resistant zinc coating that makes it more resistant to the elements and survives many other popular garden bed materials such as wood and composite. . This bed also has thick sheets, so you don’t have to worry about stability or easily damaging the facade. Available in three different sizes and five different colors, you will find something for every type of garden and you will be happy to know that assembly is easy (a “pro” bed in steel instead of wood).
Product Details:
- Dimensions: Modular (three size options)
- Material: Galvanized steel
- Planting Depth: 12 inches
3. Best Splurge Raised Garden Bed: Outdoor Living Today Cedar Garden in a Box With Trellis
Who it’s for: serious gardeners who want to protect their products from animals.
For those who aren’t: novice gardeners or those who can’t spend much on a raised flower bed.
Do you need a raised fence as beautiful as the vegetation growing on it? Maybe not. But this beautiful cedar garden bed definitely deserves a double interpretation. Aesthetics aside, another thing that sets this raised bed apart from the rest is the lockable front panels that keep pests out. The panels rest on wide hinges that allow them to stand upright to protect plants or lie completely flat for easy access to plants. The height of this raised bed makes gardening accessible and eliminates the pushups and squats gardeners are used to in the ground.
Though expensive, this Outdoor Living Today decorated garden bed is made from cedar wood, a durable, rot and insect resistant wood that will stand up to the elements for decades.
Product Details:
- Dimensions: 72 x 36 x 33.5 inches
- Material: Cedar
- Planting Depth: 20 inches
4. Best Wood Raised Garden Bed: Expert Gardener Cedar Elevated Garden Bed
For whom: those who want a garden bed for their patio or terrace.
For those who aren’t: People who like a galvanized and more industrial look.
If you’re looking for a natural container that lasts, opt for redwood or cedar. Cedar benches attract people, not pests – the aromatic resin in cedar is not only a natural potpourri, but in addition to moisture and spoilage it also offers natural resistance to insects. In comparison, untreated cedar benches can last for 15 to 30 years, while untreated pine only lasts for two to four years.
This raised bed from Expert Gardener also includes a liner and three drainage holes to protect your tree and soil from excess moisture, waterlogging and root rot. At 31 inches tall, this raised bed eliminates the bending and kneeling necessary for underground gardening and also makes creatures less likely to benefit from your hard work. This model also offers a practical shelf for storing garden supplies.
Product Details:
- Dimensions: 48 x 24 x 31 inches
- Material: Cedar
- Planting Depth: 8 inches
5. Best Metal Raised Garden Bed: Trent Austin Design Leiter Galvanized Steel Elevated Planter
For whom: People who want to grow herbs, flowers or small products.
For those who aren’t: People who want to grow large crops with deep roots.
If you like the durability of galvanized steel but want something more elegant than your typical corrugated board, you can find a few options, like this raised planter from Trent Austin Design. In this raised bed, drainage holes create an eye-catching pattern which, combined with the tapered legs and dark brown powder coating, is part of both industrial and rustic appeal. This piece is rust and weather resistant, can withstand the elements, and stands nearly 12 inches tall, so you can stand upright while gardening (i.e. without kneeling or bending down awkwardly). Another enviable feature of metal beds? Easy installation. All you need to assemble this bed is an Allen key!
Product Details:
- Dimensions: 28.3 x 39.5 x 17.5 inches
- Material: Powder-coated steel
- Planting Depth: 8 inches
6. Best Tiered Raised Garden Bed: Eden Waterfall Garden Table
For whom: People with little outdoor space.
For those who are not: people who struggle with composition.
The tiered container system is highly compatible with small urban patios and balconies as it allows any unused vertical space to be used. (Not to mention that it just looks beautiful, especially when a few hanging plants are built in.) At just under three feet wide, this unit has a small footprint but offers 16 square feet of flower beds. Made of solid cedar wood, this bunk bed resists rot and warping and features a self-absorbing cover to keep moisture away from the frame.
Users also appreciate the built-in drainage holes that prevent excess water from pooling in the bench and reduce root rot to keep plants healthy. But remember that due to the more complex design of this model, the assembly is more complicated.
Product Details:
- Dimensions: 34 x 34 x 37 inches
- Material: Cedar
- Planting Depth: 10 inches
7. Best Raised Garden Bed With Trellis: Gardener’s Supply Company Elevated Planter Box and Trellis Set
Who it’s for: People with limited space who want to grow climbing vegetables or flowers.
For those who aren’t: people who want a simple herb garden or vegetable garden with high yields.
This streamlined planter is a treat for the eyes and lower back. The hip-high design makes gardening comfortable without squatting and bending over. The integrated rotating trellis works as a crop support (for a vegetable garden) or as a canvas for climbing flowers. Vegetables ripe for trellis gardening include tomatoes, peas, beans and squash. (Although the company also advertises that a 10-inch bed is deep enough to grow carrots, vegetables like carrots and peppers do best in a container that’s at least 12 inches deep.)
Made from cedar or cypress, these planters resist rot and warping, and the fabric cover protects the wood from soil moisture. The steel parts that make up the frame and lattice are also powder-coated to prevent rust. The grid supports up to 10 pounds of product when installed at a 45-degree angle.
Product Details:
- Dimensions: Planter box: 48 x 24 x 29 inches; Trellis: 47 x 40 inches
- Material: Cedar or cypress with powder-coated steel
- Planting Depth: 10 inches
8. Best Raised Garden Bed on Wheels: Ohuhu Metal Raised Bed Planter with Wheels
Who it’s for: People with a small patio who can benefit from a portable garden cart with an integrated storage compartment.
For those who aren’t: for people who want a raised penny to stay in their garden.
If you have a small patio or balcony that is suitable for multiple uses, a solid wood planter that weighs over 100 pounds fully is probably not the way to go. A smaller trolley with wheels and a handle can, on the other hand, add beauty to the space without compromising usability.
Those in tight spaces may not even have their own yard and tool space, and will certainly appreciate this unit’s built-in storage with a lower grid frame and four additional hooks for hanging supplies. (Tool space can also be a boon for gardeners who tend to toss their tools in the yard, never to be found again!) Those with lots of space will simply appreciate the vintage splendor of this colorful planter, nothing else is necessary. Motivation. This metal planter has large drainage holes and gaps to prevent water from pooling, reducing the chance of root rot and rust, and has a rust-resistant coating that should ensure it sees through several gardening seasons.
Product Details:
- Dimensions: 37.4 x 15.7 x 31.5 inches
- Material: Metal
- Planting Depth: 10 inches
9. Best Raised Garden Bed for Herbs: Veikous Wooden Raised Garden Bed With Greenhouse
Who it’s for: People who want to extend the life of herbs (and other plants).
For those who aren’t: people who want a high-yield vegetable garden.
The truth is, you don’t really need a raised bed for most herbs in the garden. Popular herbs like oregano and thyme, with their 6-inch roots, will do just fine in a few cute pots around the balcony or patio. However, a cold bed frame can be useful if you want to start spring in your herb garden or extend its life beyond early autumn. While herbs like rosemary and oregano handle light frost like champs, other culinary specialties like basil, dill, and cilantro begin to suffer when temperatures reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold frames keep temperatures 7-10 degrees warmer than the outside air, which usually extends the plant’s life by another four weeks during the fall season. They are also ideal for hardening off or acclimating plants if you want to get your houseplants out again.
Product Details:
- Dimensions: 30.5 x 22.8 x 45.6 inches
- Material: Fir
- Planting Depth: 9.5 inches
Last judgment
Overall, we recommend the Vego Garden 6-in-1 Modular Metal Raised Garden Bed Set. This modular garden bed can be configured in six different ways and is made of a durable material that is weatherproof, resistant to UV rays and rust.
How do you buy raised garden beds like a pro?
Material
Most raised beds are made of wood or metal, but the type of wood and the treatment of the metal determine the safety, quality and durability of the bed.
The best woods for building a raised bed are cedar, redwood, cypress, spruce, or locust. These varieties are naturally resistant to rot and pests. Among the metals used for garden benches, aluminum galvanized steel and standard galvanized (galvanized) steel offer excellent corrosion resistance. The corrosion resistance of zinc coated steel is 3-7 times higher than that of ordinary galvanized steel. It’s also extremely durable – twice as hard as standard galvanized steel – meaning your garden bed won’t change shape for decades.
Standard galvanized (galvanized) steel is your next best option, with a lifespan of at least 20 years in most environments; Gardeners should be careful not to use uncoated acidic soil in these beds, however, as soil acids will accelerate the loss of the zinc coating. When buying a metal bed, make sure that the bed is protected from corrosion and rust (e.g. powder coated surface).
Company
An average adult can reach about two feet in a raised garden bed. For best accessibility and efficiency (i.e. to ensure that all areas of the yard can be accessed easily without hammering and compacting the soil), flower beds accessible from all sides should be no wider than 1.20 meters. Garden beds with only one free side should not be wider than two feet. All our product ranges follow this general principle.
Depth
The ideal depth of a raised bed will depend on what the gardener intends to grow, where the bed will be placed, and the gardener’s mobility. Most flowers and leafy vegetables need about 20cm of soil, while root vegetables such as carrots thrive in 12-15cm of soil. If you’re planning on making a raised peg that will stay in contact with the ground (rather than a potted garden), depth isn’t a big deal as the roots can continue to grow into the soil below. Users should also keep in mind that raised beds that are deeper and remain in contact with the ground retain moisture better and require less frequent watering. Raised garden beds are also the most ergonomic option and require less bending or kneeling than other types.
Questions you might ask
How to fill a raised garden bed?
Filling a raised garden bed with bags of soil is a quick way to empty your wallet. Fortunately, a popular method known as “Hugelkultur” allows you to fill 70 percent of the garden bed with garden waste. With the Hugelkultur method, the soil makes up about 30 percent of the final composition. As the wood waste slowly decomposes, larger logs or branches are placed at the bottom of the chicken coop to provide a stable source of organic matter.
Then place smaller branches and sticks, followed by other organic garden waste such as cut grass or dead leaves. Compost and soil are on top of this. As organic matter is broken down, it encourages the growth of beneficial fungi and microbes. When the bed comes down from the rotting process, gardeners should fill the top with compost.
“The idea is to mimic nature by cutting down leaf litter in the forest. We also practice ‘No Till’ gardening in our raised beds and in the ground. No till gardening preserves useful life in the soil and prevents seed germination. Weeds. ”
The Hugelkultur method benefits more than just a bank account. It also improves soil quality, stores carbon, retains water and reduces weeds.
Where do you place the raised garden bed?
Place a raised garden bed in a spot that gets “at least six hours of sun a day,” Catalano says. “Especially if you’re growing vegetables,” he adds.
Take our word for it
This article was written by Leslie Joblin, a writer with two years of experience writing lifestyle content and a gardener herself. Her work has appeared in The Spruce, MyDomaine and Brides. To complete this collection, she dug into the best raised beds and asked Lisa Catalano, a gardener at Our Garden Gigi, for advice.
