Looking to elevate your garden game? Consider a raised garden bed. It's a great solution for urbanites surrounded by asphalt and cement, but those with ample yards can benefit from giving their plants a lift, too. Planting in raised garden beds minimizes the number of weeds and critters that creep into your garden, and is "ergonomically advantageous," says gardener Lisa Catalano of Our Garden Gig. "They allow you to work in your garden with less bending down, eliminating back and knee joint pain while you seed, water, weed, fertilize, and harvest. The higher the bed, the more you will benefit from less stress on your body." Raised garden beds also allow plants to be grown in a looser, faster-draining soil, which is often best for root vegetables and herbs, says Bloomscape's Plant Expert, Lindsay Pangborn. “This can be beneficial for those who want to utilize areas that tend to collect standing water after a rainfall or that have heavy clay soil.” Depending on the type you opt for, they can also extend your growing season. No matter what kind you choose, a raised bed makes "the surrounding garden landscape neater and easier to maintain," says Catalano. We scoured the market for the best raised garden beds, our main criteria being durability, or the material's ability to stand up to inclement weather and heavy soil over time. We included a range of sizes and depths to suit different needs and identified a few picks with special features such as organization racks and latched gates. We also spoke to Catalano and Pangborn to get the scoop on the specs to look out for when shopping for raised garden beds, as well as insider tips on maintaining them. Our Top Picks Best Overall Raised Garden Bed: Best Budget Raised Garden Bed: Best Splurge Raised Garden Bed: Best Wood Raised Garden Bed: Best Metal Raised Garden Bed: Best Tiered Raised Garden Bed: Best Raised Garden Bed on Wheels: Best Raised Garden Bed for Herbs: Best Self-Watering Raised Garden Bed: What Stands Out It's corrosion-resistant, tolerates extreme temperatures, and won't leach chemicals into your soil and plants. What Could Be Improved You may need to add a short screen or mesh to keep out small animals. Vego garden beds look good and last a long time. Constructed from metal coated with a corrosion-resistant mix of zinc, aluminum, and magnesium, these garden beds are more resistant to corrosion and rust than regular galvanized steel and other corrugated metal beds. Plus, the coating does not lead to soil contamination. Extreme temperatures can accelerate degradation of materials like plastic and wood, while the Aluzinc coating tolerates temperature extremes well and will not leach chemicals into your soil and plants. At 17 inches high, this particular garden bed facilitates strong root growth and minimizes the amount of uncomfortable hunching that accompanies in-ground gardening. The bed's height also decreases the number of critters that can access your beds (though, to totally prevent rabbit damage, you may need to add a short screen or mesh). Users will also appreciate the bed's rounded edges and lack of sharp corners, which reduce the likelihood of cuts and snagging and make for safer and more comfortable gardening. This bed features a modular design with six possible configurations and four color options—resulting in plenty of possibilities to elevate your garden. Dimensions: Modular (six possible combinations) | Material:Steel substrate coated in zinc, aluminum, and magnesium | Planting Depth: 17 inches What Stands Out It has thick sheeting to provide a sturdy facade and stability. What Could Be Improved Some of the edges can be very sharp. For a fully functional and durable bed at a lower price point, we like the Land Guard Galvanized Raised Garden Bed Kit. Like our top pick, it's made of galvanized metal, and while it does lack the Aluzinc coating, it features anti-corrosive zinc protection that allows it to stand up to the elements and outlast many other popular garden bed manufacturing materials like wood and composite. This bed also boasts thick sheeting, so you don't have to worry about stability or easily damaging the facade. Available in three different sizes and five different colors, you'll find something for every garden setting, and you'll be happy to know that assembly is a breeze (a consistent "pro" of a steel bed over a wooden one.) Dimensions: 48 x 24 x 12 inches, 72 x 36 x 12 inches, 96 x 48 x 12 inches | Material: Galvanized steel | Planting Depth: 12 inches What Stands Out Latched front panels keep pests out, and wide throw hinges allow the panels to stand vertically or rest completely flat. What Could Be Improved It might not be as easy to get it perfectly squared. Do you need a raised bed that's as gorgeous as the vegetation growing in it? Maybe not. But this handsome cedar garden bed is sure to earn its keep in double takes. Aesthetics aside, another thing that sets this raised bed apart from others is the latched front panels that keep pests out. The panels rest on wide throw hinges that allow them to stand vertically to protect your plants or rest completely flat to facilitate easy plant access. The height of this raised bed makes gardening accessible and eliminates the stooping and crouching familiar to those who've practiced in-ground gardening. Though pricey, this Outdoor Living Today raised garden bed is made of cedar—a durable, rot-resistant, and insect-repellant wood that can stand up to the elements for decades. Dimensions: 72 x 36 x 33.5 inches | Material: Cedar | Planting Depth: 20 inches What Stands Out It includes a fabric liner to keep the soil in along with perforated slats that allow excess water to drain. What Could Be Improved There are roughly cut edges, splinters, and imprecise notches. If you're searching for a natural container that will last, opt for redwood or cedar. Cedar beds are attractive to humans, not to pests: The aromatic resin in cedar isn't just a natural potpourri, it actually provides natural resistance to insects, in addition to moisture and rot. For comparison, untreated cedar beds can last between 15 and 30 years, whereas untreated pine lasts a measly two to four years. This raised bed from Greenes Fence is free of glue and chemicals and includes a fabric liner to keep the soil in. The slats have small gaps in between them to let excess water drain out to help prevent root rot. At 31 inches tall, this raised bed eliminates the stooping and kneeling required of in-ground gardening, and it also reduces the likelihood of critters availing themselves of your hard work. This model is also easy to assemble; you slide the boards into the posts and tap gently with a mallet to secure the whole thing in place. Dimensions: 48 x 24 x 31 inches | Material: Cedar| Planting Depth: 9.6 inches What Stands Out It's highly durable resistant and stands almost 30 inches tall, allowing for easy, stand-up gardening. What Could Be Improved It's a little too shallow to grow large produce with deep roots. If you like the durability of galvanized steel but want something a bit more stylized than the typical corrugated sheet metal, you can find a few alternatives like this elevated planter. In this raised bed, the drainage holes create an attractive pattern that, combined with the tapered legs and dark brown powder-coated finish, coalesce into a piece with both industrial and rustic charm. Rust-, UV-, frost-, and weather-resistant, this piece can stand up to the elements, and at almost 30 inches tall, it can keep you standing while gardening (i.e. no uncomfortable kneeling or stooping). Another enviable trait of metal beds? Easy installation. To assemble this bed, you'll need only an Allen wrench! Dimensions: 28.25 x 49.5 x 21.5 inches | Material: Metal | Planting Depth: 8 inches What Stands Out It's made from rot- and warp-resistant solid cedar wood. What Could Be Improved Assembly is more involved due to its intricate design. A tiered container system is highly compatible with urbanites' small patios and balconies, as it allows you to capitalize on any unused vertical space. (Not to mention, it just looks cool, especially when a few cascading plants are integrated.) Just under three feet wide, this unit has a small footprint but offers 16 square feet of garden bed. Constructed from solid cedar wood, this tiered bed is rot- and warp-resistant, and it comes with a self-wicking liner to keep moisture off the frame. Users will also appreciate the built-in drainage holes, which prevent excess water from accumulating in the beds and mitigate root rot to keep plants healthy. But keep in mind that, due to the more intricate design of this model, assembly will be more involved. Dimensions: 34 x 34 x 37 inches | Material: Cedar | Planting Depth: 10 inches What Stands Out It has anti-rust coating and ample drainage holes and gaps. What Could Be Improved It might be too short for taller gardeners. If you've got a small patio or balcony that has to suit multiple purposes, a solid wood planter weighing well over 100 pounds when full is probably not the right choice. A smaller cart with wheels and handle, however, can add beauty to your space without sacrificing its usability. Those in small spaces who lack dedicated yard and tool space will certainly appreciate the storage integrated into this unit, which features a bottom grid frame and four additional hooks for hanging your accessories. (Having a dedicated space for tools can also be a boon to gardeners who are apt to abandon their tools in the garden, never to be found again!) Those with plenty of space may simply appreciate the vintage charm of this colorful planter—no other rationale needed. This metal planter has ample drainage holes and gaps to prevent water accumulation, which mitigates the likelihood of root rot and rust, and it has been given an anti-rust coating, which should help to ensure it sees many seasons of gardening. Dimensions: 40.5 x 15.5 x 31.5 inches | Material: Galvanized steel | Planting Depth: 8 inches What Stands Out The bottom rack provides plenty of storage space. What Could Be Improved It could require drilling some holes for the screws. The truth is, you don't really need a raised bed for most garden herbs. For popular herbs like oregano and thyme—and their six-inch roots—some cute pots around the balcony or patio will do. However, an outdoor raised garden bed for your herbs allows you to clear up counter space, and you can even add a cold frame to your purchase if you're looking to get a springtime jump-start on your herb garden or extend its life beyond early fall. While hearty herbs like rosemary and oregano can withstand a light freeze like champs, other culinary favorites like basil, dill, and cilantro begin to suffer once temps hit 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold frames maintain a temperature that's between seven and 10 degrees warmer than the air outside, usually extending the life of your plant an extra four weeks during the fall season. They're also ideal for hardening or acclimatizing plants when you're trying to transition your indoor plants back to the outdoors. This raised bed from VegTrug is made of cedar wood, which is a natural insulator to keep the soil warm. Inside the garden bed, there are compartments with replaceable liners to keep eight different plants nice and organized. Users will also appreciate the ergonomic design (32 inches tall), which eliminates the need for bending and stooping. Plus, the bottom rack provides ample storage for any gardening accessories and tools, which when purchased as a tool kit keeps them nice and neat. Dimensions: 31 x 23 x 31 inches | Material: Cedar | Planting Depth: 5.5 inches What Stands Out It features a built-in water reservoir to help maintain optimum moisture levels. What Could Be Improved Some parts of the planter may not be securely fitted. For those who have a hard time keeping track of their watering schedule, the Keter Urban Bloomer will keep your plants healthy by helping you avoid over- or under-watering. A built-in water reservoir helps keep the soil at optimum moisture, and an easy-to-read water gauge lets you know when you need to add more water or let some out using the drainage tap. This raised garden bed has a wood-like look but is made of heavy-duty resin, so it can stay outside on a patio or balcony without rusting, rotting, or fading, year after year. It comes with a seedling tray to help you get started growing quickly, as well as a bottom shelf so you can store tools and essentials nearby at all times. Dimensions: 32.3 x 14.7 x 30.7 inches | Material: Resin | Planting Depth: 14.7 inches Overall, we recommend the Vego Garden 6-in-1 Modular Metal Raised Garden Bed Kit. This modular garden bed can be configured six different ways, and is made of a hardy material that's weather-, UV-, and rust-resistant. Most raised garden beds are created from wood or metal, but the type of wood and the treatment of the metal determine the safety, quality, and durability of your bed. The best types of wood for constructing a raised garden bed are cedar, redwood, cypress, fir, or black locust. These types are naturally rot-and pest-resistant. Of the types of metal used for garden beds, Aluzinc-coated steel and regular (zinc-coated) galvanized steel deliver superior corrosion resistance. Aluzinc-coated steel boasts a corrosion resistance that is three to seven times greater than even that of regular galvanized steel. It's also extremely durable—twice the hardness of regular galvanized steel—meaning you won't see any deformations in your garden bed walls for decades. Regular galvanized (zinc-coated) steel is your next best bet, providing at least 20 years of use in most environments; however, gardeners should beware of using acidic soils without a liner in these beds, as the acids in the soil will accelerate the loss of the zinc coating. When purchasing a metal bed, verify that some effort has been taken to protect the bed from corrosion and rust (e.g. a powder-coated finish). An average adult can extend their arms about two feet into a raised garden bed. To ensure the greatest accessibility and efficiency (i.e. to ensure someone can easily access all parts of the garden without having to trudge through it and compact the soil), garden beds that can be accessed by all sides should be no wider than four feet across. Garden beds with only one accessible side should be no wider than two feet. All of our product selections adhere to this general principle. The ideal depth of a raised garden bed depends on what the gardener intends to grow, where the bed will be placed, and the gardener's mobility. Most flowers and leafy veggies require around eight inches of soil, while root vegetables like carrots thrive in 12 to 15 inches of soil. If you intend to create a raised bed that remains in contact with the soil (rather than a container garden), depth doesn't pose a real issue, as roots can continue to grow into the earth below. Panborn recommends a raised bed be a minimum of 12 inches deep, but adds “keep in mind that the deeper the planting area, the more soil you’ll need to fill it.” Users should also consider that deeper beds and raised beds that maintain contact with the soil maintain moisture better and require less frequent watering. Also, elevated garden beds around waist height are the most ergonomic option, requiring less stooping or kneeling than other types. Raised garden beds make gardening more accessible and gardens easier to maintain. “Gardening in a raised bed makes an otherwise physically demanding hobby accessible for those with mobility limitations,” says Pangborn. “Raised beds can be customized to be comfortable for users who prefer to sit or stand while working.” In addition, thanks to their contained nature, “raised beds don’t require the typical maintenance of ground-level beds, like edging and tidying mulch borders,” she says. Plus, if you have limited backyard spaces, raised beds can give you increased gardening space, as they can be installed over hardscape areas like concrete, or on a balcony for apartment dwellers. “Most raised beds don’t require anything in the bottom—ideally, they’ll be placed on soil that’s cleared of any weeds or turfgrass. Once filled and planted, the roots won’t be limited by the depth of your garden bed and can make their way into the soil below,” says Pangborn. For gardens that sit on the ground, Pangborn says you can staple a permeable material like chicken wire or hardware cloth to the bottom to help keep moles or underground critters away. “This will allow roots to grow through and excess water to escape,” she says. If your raised bed has an enclosed bottom, Pangborn recommends drilling plenty of drainage holes throughout the bottom—at least one hole per square foot. “Soggy soil is a downfall for most types of vegetables, fruit, and herbs, so ample drainage will allow your plants to get the moisture they need without drowning,” adds Pangborn. On the other hand, filling a raised garden bed with bags of soil is a quick way to empty out your wallet. Luckily, a popular method known as "Hugelkultur" allows you to fill 70 percent of your garden bed with scavenged yard debris. "Generally, people will layer wood branches, organic yard waste materials, and then top off the beds with compost," says Catalano. With the Hugelkultur method, soil comprises about 30 percent of the final makeup. Because wood debris decomposes slowly, larger logs or branches are placed at the bottom of the bed to provide a steady source of organic matter. Place smaller twigs and sticks, followed by other organic yard debris like grass clippings or dead leaves. On the top of this will go compost and soil. As the organic matter decomposes, it facilitates the growth of beneficial fungi and microbes. As the bed settles from the decomposition process, gardeners will need to refill the top with compost. "Twice a year in spring and mid-summer, we top off the beds with our own homemade compost from our vegetable scraps," says Catalano. "The idea is to mimic nature with the decomposition of forest leaf litter. We also practice 'No Till' gardening in our raised beds and on the ground. 'No Till' gardening preserves the beneficial life in the soil and prevents weed seeds from germinating." The Hugelkultur method is beneficial to more than just your bank account. It also improves soil quality, sequesters carbon, retains water, and reduces the amount of weeding. Place your raised garden bed in a location that gets "at least six hours of sun per day," says Catalano. "Especially if you're growing vegetables," she adds. "Most vegetables require a sunny location, so the sunnier, the better!" Gardeners should also avoid low-lying areas prone to becoming water-logged. 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 roundup, she dove deep into the research on the best raised garden beds and solicited advice from gardener Lisa Catalano of Our Garden Gig. Additional reporting was done by Lesley Chen, a contributing writer for commerce, home, and lifestyle stories, who also spoke to Lindsay Pangborn, a plant expert at Bloomscape.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/RS-best-raised-garden-beds-6ec745fa12d14bcfb94c3a654dcac22e.jpg "The 9 Best Raised Garden Beds for All Your Planting Needs (1)")
Best Overall Raised Garden Bed
Vego Garden 6-in-1 Raised Garden Bed Kit
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Best Splurge Raised Garden Bed
Outdoor Living Today Garden in a Box
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Best Wood Raised Garden Bed
Greenes Fence Elevated Garden Bed
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Best Tiered Raised Garden Bed
Eden Waterfall Garden Table
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Best Raised Garden Bed for Herbs
VegTrug Herb Garden
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Final Verdict
How to Shop for Raised Garden Beds Like a Pro
Material
Size
Depth
Questions You Might Ask
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Take Our Word for It
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