Planting a garden in raised garden beds provides all kinds of benefits for gardeners. From easily controlling the quality of the soil to their ease of use due to their increased height. Raised gardening beds are practical for gardeners both young and old. And they look beautiful too! So if you’ve dreamed of starting a garden in raised garden beds then you’ve come to the right place. Here’s my review on the best raised garden beds and a buying guide for how to choose the right one for your needs.
Table of Contents
- Top Picks:
- Comparison Table – Best Raised Garden Beds
- Infinite Cedar Raised Bed Garden Kit
- Greenes Fence Cedar Raised Garden Bed
- Yaheetech Raised Garden Bed Kit
- King Bird Raised Garden Bed
- Blumfeldt High Grow Straight Raised Garden Bed
- Best Choice Metal Raised Garden Bed
- Choosing the Best Raised Garden Bed-Buying Guide
- Raised Garden Bed Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ’s
- Conclusion
Top Picks:
Here are my top picks, with my detailed reviews, comparison table and buying guide below.
Infinite Cedar Raised Bed Garden Kit
Greenes Fence Cedar Raised Garden Bed
Yaheetech Raised Garden Bed Kit
Blumfeldt High Grow Straight Raised Garden Bed
Best Choice Metal Raised Garden Bed
Comparison Table – Best Raised Garden Beds
| Raised Garden Bed | Image | Material | Measurements | Customer Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infinite Cedar Raised Bed Garden Kit |  | Western Red Cedar | 72Lx36Wx11H inches | 4.6/5 | check |
| Greenes Fence Cedar Raised Garden Bed |  | Cedar | 48Lx48Wx10.5H inches | 4.3/5 | check |
| Yaheetech Raised Garden Bed Kit |  | Fir Wood | 96.7Lx24.6Wx10.6H inches | 4.5/5 | check |
| King Bird Raised Garden Bed |  | Galvanized Steel | 67.2Lx67.2Lx11.8H inches | 4.5/5 | check |
| Blumfeldt High Grow Straight Raised Garden Bed |  | Galvanised Steel | 70.9Lx35.4Wx23.6H inches | 4.5/5 | check |
| Best Choice Metal Raised Garden Bed |  | Alloy Steel | 47Lx35.25Wx11H inches | 4.7/5 | check |
Infinite Cedar Raised Bed Garden Kit
At a glance:
- Made using natural Western Red Cedar timber which is chemical-free
- Long-lasting and rot-resistant
- Easy to assemble with no screws or nails
- Measures 72L x 36W x 11H inches (183 x 91 x 28 cm) with the option to increase the height
- Made in the USA with a 5-year warranty
The attractive wooden design of this raised garden bed, along with its flexible stacking option – so you can make it even higher, makes it a great choice for the home garden. Made from quality Western Red Cedar which is a timber renowned for being rot-resistant. This means you can rest assured that when you install one of these beauties, you won’t be replacing it next season. And as further assurance, a generous 5-year warranty is provided.
The timber is chemical-free so you can safely grow vegetables without chemicals leaching into the soil. And if you like the look of the cedar as much as I do, you can leave it to age and gray naturally over time or the outside wood can be painted or stained for a different look.
It’s easy to assemble, taking only minutes to set up. And you don’t need to worry about any nails or screws used in its making that would loosen or swell the wood with time. Instead, rust-free rods are provided to hold the pieces together, allowing for natural movement without distorting the design.
You can set this garden bed on hard surfaces such as a patio or directly on soil in the backyard. The bottom of the bed is open so if you want to locate this bed on a hard surface, you may want to line the bottom of the bed so the soil doesn’t escape over time.
If you are looking for an environmentally friendly raised garden bed with no chemicals applied then the Infinite Cedar Raised Bed Garden Kit is a great option. And, with a 5-year warranty, you are assured of a quality product you can enjoy for years to come.
>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews.
Greenes Fence Cedar Raised Garden Bed
At a glance:
- Made from sustainably sourced cedar wood in the USA
- Naturally rot and insect resistant
- Measures 48L x 48W x 10.5H inches (122 x 122 x 27 cm)
- Stackable to give a 21-inch (53 cm) tall garden bed and extendable
- Easy to assemble
- Comes in 3 different timber thicknesses to suit your needs and budget
Greenes Fence Raised Garden Bed is a lovely size for small garden spaces, beginner gardeners, and kids who love to garden. Made using quality cedar wood and built in the USA, this garden bed is rot and insect resistant and no chemicals have been used to treat the wood. So if you’re looking to grow your own vegetables, you can feel confident growing healthy edibles for your family in this raised garden bed.
The design of this raised garden bed is flexible in that it can be made higher – which will reduce the need to bend while working in the garden and tending your vegetables. The bed can be made larger for a bigger growing area and comes in 3 different options of timber thickness.
The interlocking joints make it easy to install, though some customers have mentioned some elbow grease may need to be applied to slide some of the boards in place.
Use a screwdriver for securing the decorative tops. And once assembled, this raised garden bed will provide plenty of growing room and is perfect for smaller gardens.
>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews.
Yaheetech Raised Garden Bed Kit
At a glance:
- Made from non-toxic fir wood
- Measures 96.7L x 24.6W x 10.6H inches ( 245.6 x 62.5 x 27 cm). Option to increase the size and height
- Multifunctional thanks to the middle separator
- Easy to assemble
- Lightweight and sturdy
- Low maintenance
If you’re searching for a multifunctional raised garden bed you’ll find it with the Yaheetech Raised Garden Bed Kit. Made from non-toxic fir wood, this garden bed is easy to assemble and it can be separated into two growing areas. So you can easily practice crop rotation in the different beds.
It’s possible to connect more than one garden bed to achieve either a higher-raised garden bed or a larger growing space. No matter how you choose to assemble your Yaheetech raised bed, you will enjoy a non-toxic garden bed to grow your fruits, vegetables, or herbs.
The open bottom frame can be placed directly on the ground or on a patio or paving. If you choose a solid surface you might like to line the bottom to prevent the soil from washing out over time.
Many customers have commented that the great price makes purchasing this raised garden bed very good value when compared to building your own. This makes it a great choice for starting that longed-for edible garden!
>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews.
King Bird Raised Garden Bed
At a glance:
- Made from galvanized steel so it will not rot
- Measures 67.2L x 67.2L x 11.8H inches (170 x 170 x 30 cm)
- Extra thick 2-ply reinforcement for a sturdy garden bed
- Vertical stripe design improves the durability against warping
- Multilayered galvanized paint so it won’t fade or rust
- 2-year warranty
If you’re searching for a multifunctional, convenient, durable, and easy-to-assemble raised garden bed then the King Bird Raised Garden Bed could be just what you’re looking for. This garden bed is made using sturdy galvanized steel and looks very attractive in the garden. It also comes with peace of mind, two-year warranty.
This raised garden bed is really durable thanks to the 2-ply enforcement used on the double card frames. This, along with the use of vertical stripe design help to make a sturdy raised garden bed that won’t warp and distort once it’s filled with soil.
The design is also flexible in that the size of the bed can be increased for additional growing space. Simply purchase additional beds and join them together. The height of the bed is a fixed height but it’s perfect for growing a thriving garden full of herbs and vegetables.
Although the garden bed should be easy and quick to set up, some customers have taken longer than expected. This can be solved by watching the instructional video on the site which really helps to make the assembly a simple process.
Once you have one of these attractive and durable raised garden beds in your garden you might just be looking to add another. And why not? After all, you’ll be saving money when you grow your own vegetables!
>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews.
Blumfeldt High Grow Straight Raised Garden Bed
At a glance:
- Measures 70.9L x 35.4W x 23.6H inches (180 x 90 x 60 cm)
- High raised garden bed at 23.6 inches (60cm) for less bending
- Large 250-gallon capacity
- Made from galvanized steel with weather-shield protection
- Easy to install
- Lightweight and sturdy
If shallow garden beds just won’t work for you then you’ll love the Blumfeldt High Grow Straight Raised Garden Bed. Standing at 23.6 inches (60 cm), this garden bed can comfortably carry a whopping 250 gallons (970 liters) and is ideal for growing fruits and vegetables.
Made from galvanized steel with weather shield protection for long-lasting results. It’s easy to assemble and looks lovely in the garden.
The great height of this garden bed is ideal for people who don’t want to bend their back while gardening. It will also help to keep out smaller pests such as snails and even small dogs who might be interested in eating your homegrown produce!
With the open bottom of this garden bed, you could position it directly on the ground or on a hard surface such as a patio. And if you prefer to place the bed on a hard surface, consider lining it with landscape fabric to stop any soil from escaping over time.
An attractive raised garden bed that easily provides the growing room for even the deeper growing root vegetables. Carrots and sweet potatoes would be very comfortable in this garden bed.
>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews.
Best Choice Metal Raised Garden Bed
At a glance:
- Measures 47L x 35.25W x 11H inches (119 x 89.5 x 28 cm)
- Made from alloy steel
- Easy to assemble
- Long-lasting
- Perfect size for beginners
The Best Choice Metal Raised Garden Bed is made using alloy steel and is easy to assemble with just a screwdriver. It’s rust-resistant thereby giving you years of use.
Its seemingly compact size will grow a surprising number of plants. So if you’re looking to start your vegetable garden, this raised bed is a great place to start.
As with all garden beds, it’s best to place this raised bed on a level surface. With an open bottom, this bed could be lined with landscape fabric if you want to position it on a hard surface. Otherwise, simply place this garden bed on the ground, fill it with quality fertile soil and you are ready to plant out your new vegetable garden!
It’s a good idea not to lean or put pressure on the sides of the bed to help ensure it doesn’t bend. Though rest assured, most happy gardeners have commented on how sturdy this raised bed is.
This garden bed represents great value and is the perfect size for beginners or children starting in the garden.
>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews.
Choosing the Best Raised Garden Bed-Buying Guide
There are so many advantages to growing a garden in raised garden beds. They include:
- Fewer weeds to manage and no need to till the soil
- Great water retention as well as drainage
- Their increased height means less bending and back strain
- As well as being functional, they’re aesthetically pleasing – adding beauty to your backyard
- You get to decide what soil to use and avoid contaminated soil
- Perfect for beginners
There are numerous things to consider and this guide will point you in the right direction when it comes to choosing the best raised garden bed.
What is the Best Material For a Raised Garden Bed?
When you’re searching for the best raised garden bed for your garden you’ll come across different materials used to make them. And by far the most popular materials are wood and steel.
There are a few other options also used to make raised garden beds such as recycled plastic, composite, and even fabric (usually in the form of grow bags). They all do an amazing job of providing a space for you to garden. So the choice really comes down to personal preference.
You do want to consider the longevity of the material to ensure you can enjoy many years of gardening from your raised bed. For example, you don’t want to go for wood that will easily rot, and you don’t want to use metal that easily rusts.
When it comes to timber garden beds, fir and cedar wood are great options as they don’t rot easily. As for metal; galvanized steel is strong and resistant to rust.
How Big Should the Raised Garden Bed Be?
The size of the raised garden bed will come down to the size of the space you have available and how much growing space you would like.
If you have a small yard or patio, you need to carefully measure the garden bed to ensure it will fit the space correctly. Also keep in mind that after starting with one garden bed, if space permits, you can always add in additional raised garden beds once you’ve mastered the planting and care of your first garden bed.
Consider also the depth of the bed and what you wish to plant. There are numerous sizes to choose from, from shallow beds to deep beds. So if you know you would love to grow carrots, consider a deeper bed to give plenty of growing room and a successful harvest.
Cost
The cost of a raised garden bed will also be a deciding factor in choosing the right one for you. There is a range of great options reviewed here starting under $50. With many gardeners reporting the cost to purchase the materials to build their own raised garden bed was not worth the money when compared to purchasing one of these kits.
However, if you are handy with tools and love to DIY then you could build a raised garden bed yourself from reclaimed materials for free. The price here though is your time to build, knowledge of how to build and some confidence using tools.
Assembly
If DIY is not your strong suit, then a raised garden bed’s ease of assembly should be a consideration.
We’ve reviewed garden beds here that are all easy and simple to assemble. Most of them don’t require tools and those that do make use of common hand tools most households have access to.
Raised Garden Bed Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ’s
Do You Line Raised Garden Beds?
If your raised garden bed is an open bottom, as all of our reviewed products are, and you want to position it on a hard surface then you should consider lining your garden bed with landscape fabric. This will stop the soil from escaping from the bottom over time.
Here’s a landscaping fabric that’s perfect to line your raised garden bed.
You could also line the bed if you are not going to prepare the ground by weeding beforehand. Though I would recommend foregoing the lining in favor of weeding the site and then positioning the garden bed directly on the soil. That way the garden bed will have access to the additional soil below the bed and beneficial earthworms will easily find your garden to help you produce healthy vegetable crops.
Where Should Raised Garden Beds Be Placed?
Edibles and many flowers grow well when they are positioned to receive plenty of sunlight with some protection from strong winds. And if you live in a very warm climate, some shade may be a good idea.
Positioning your raised garden bed on level ground will stop precious soil from escaping through the bottom.
Think about how you will water your raised garden bed. If you are watering by hand, make sure your hose will easily reach your new garden bed.
Also, consider things such as garden pathways as well as the proximity to the house and the all-important kitchen. Ideally, you want to be able to easily access your freshly grown herbs and vegetables.
What Do You Fill Raised Garden Beds With?
Related: Soil Calculator For Raised Bed Gardens
There are a few ways to fill a raised garden bed. So here are a few ideas to easily fill a raised garden bed so you can get busy planting.
Method 1: Mix topsoil (existing soil in the ground), compost and potting soil in equal parts. This will create nutrient-rich soil to grow your edibles.
Method 2: You can purchase organic potting soil which has the correct mix to give you very happy plants. This method can be costly due to the amount of soil needed to fill a bed. However, if you are looking for a prepackaged option, I recommend this organic potting soil.
Method 3: The third method is my favorite and one I’ve used many times called the lasagna method. It’s called this because it uses layers, like a lasagna, of materials to cheaply fill a raised garden bed.
The method starts with layers of thick cardboard. The cardboard acts to smother weeds and prevents them from growing and competing with your herbs and vegetables.
Next layer with small sticks, pieces of wood or branches you might find in your yard. This is a guide only and you are free to use what you have, as long as it breaks down over time. If you don’t have access to wood, that’s fine, just move on to the next step.
Then it’s a matter of alternating layers of carbon and nitrogen materials.
Carbon layers are dry materials and often brown in color. They include wood chips, wood shavings, bark, cardboard, paper, straw, and dry fall leave.
Nitrogen layers are the fresh moist materials and include vegetable scraps, manure, seaweed, fresh grass clippings, and coffee grounds.
Lastly, top the mostly filled raised garden bed with 1-3 inches of compost or good-quality organic potting soil.
Expect the soil level to shrink during the growing season as it composts down. Between growing seasons, simply top the garden bed up with more of the nitrogen and carbon layers.
This method builds healthy soil that is alive with nutrients so your plants will be happy and healthy.
Conclusion
I’ve reviewed the best raised garden beds to help you decide which one is right for you. I’ve also taken you through a buying guide and answered some frequently asked questions for when you do purchase your perfect raised garden bed. So if you have dreamed of growing your own food, a raised garden bed can provide you with the growing space you need to start growing a thriving garden full of fresh vegetables! What will you grow first?
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