The 9 Top Raised Garden Beds for Effortless Gardening

Top Pick for Best Overall Raised Garden Bed

Vego garden beds are both stylish and durable. Made from metal with a corrosion-resistant Aluzinc coating (a blend of zinc, aluminum, and magnesium), these beds are far more resistant to rust and corrosion than traditional galvanized steel or other metal options. The special coating ensures that no harmful chemicals leach into the soil. While materials like plastic and wood can degrade quickly in extreme temperatures, the Aluzinc coating is built to endure heat and cold, keeping your plants safe from soil contamination.

Standing at 17 inches tall, this garden bed promotes healthy root development while minimizing the need to bend over excessively during planting. The elevated height also reduces the chance of small animals reaching your plants, although a short screen or mesh may be needed to prevent rabbit damage. The rounded edges and smooth design of the bed help prevent injuries like cuts or snags, offering a safer and more comfortable gardening experience. With a modular structure offering six configuration options and four color choices, this bed provides versatile ways to enhance your garden.

Dimensions: Modular (six possible configurations) | Material: Steel coated with zinc, aluminum, and magnesium | Planting Depth: 17 inches

Best Affordable Raised Garden Bed

For a highly functional and durable raised garden bed that won’t break the bank, the Land Guard Galvanized Raised Garden Bed Kit is an excellent option. Made from galvanized metal like our top pick, it lacks the Aluzinc coating but still offers corrosion protection with its zinc layer, making it a reliable option for withstanding the elements longer than common garden bed materials such as wood and composite.

The bed is built with thick sheeting, ensuring that it remains stable and resistant to damage over time. With three size options and five color choices available, you can find the perfect fit for your garden. Assembly is simple and quick—making this steel bed a great alternative to more complicated wooden options.

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

Best Premium Raised Garden Bed

Do you truly need a raised garden bed that looks as beautiful as the plants it holds? Probably not. But this attractive cedar garden bed is definitely bound to catch the eye. Beyond its good looks, it offers practical features like latched front panels to keep pests out. The panels are mounted on wide throw hinges that allow them to stand upright to shield your plants or lie completely flat for easy access to your garden.

The height of this raised garden bed makes gardening much easier, eliminating the need to stoop or crouch down as you would with in-ground gardening. Although it comes at a premium price, this Outdoor Living Today raised bed is crafted from cedar, a robust, rot-resistant, and insect-repellent wood that can withstand the elements for many years.

Dimensions: 72 x 36 x 3 inches | Material: Cedar | Planting Depth: 20 inches

Top Choice for Wood Raised Garden Bed

If you're looking for a durable and natural gardening solution, consider redwood or cedar. Cedar is not only visually appealing but also naturally pest-resistant. The aromatic resin in cedar serves as a natural insect repellent, and it also resists moisture and rot. For comparison, cedar beds can last from 15 to 30 years without treatment, while untreated pine only lasts 2 to 4 years.

This Greenes Fence raised bed is free of glue and harmful chemicals and includes a fabric liner to hold the soil in place. The slats feature small gaps that help drain excess water, reducing the risk of root rot. At 31 inches in height, this bed eliminates the need for bending and kneeling, and it also helps keep pests away from your plants. It's also very easy to assemble: Simply slide the boards into the posts and tap them gently with a mallet to secure everything.

Dimensions: 48 x 24 x 31 inches | Material: Cedar | Planting Depth: 9.6 inches

Top Metal Raised Garden Bed Choice

If you appreciate the strength of galvanized steel but prefer something more stylish than the usual corrugated metal, this elevated planter offers a great alternative. Its drainage holes form a striking pattern, and the combination of tapered legs and a dark brown powder-coated finish adds an industrial yet rustic feel.

Resistant to rust, UV rays, frost, and weather, this planter is designed to withstand the elements. Standing at nearly 30 inches tall, it allows you to garden while standing, avoiding the discomfort of kneeling or bending over. Plus, metal beds are easy to assemble—this one requires just an Allen wrench.

Dimensions: 28.25 x 49.5 x 21.5 inches | Material: Metal | Planting Depth: 8 inches

Top Tiered Raised Garden Bed

This tiered container system is ideal for those with small patios and balconies, as it efficiently utilizes vertical space. Not only does it save space, but it also looks impressive, especially when adorned with cascading plants. Measuring just under three feet in width, this compact unit provides 16 square feet of planting area. Made from solid cedar wood, it resists both rot and warping, and includes a self-wicking liner to protect the frame from moisture.

The built-in drainage holes help prevent water buildup, reducing the risk of root rot and keeping your plants healthy. However, due to the more detailed design of this model, you may find the assembly process a bit more complicated.

Dimensions: 34 x 34 x 37 inches | Material: Cedar | Planting Depth: 10 inches

Best Raised Garden Bed on Wheels

If your patio or balcony needs to serve multiple functions, a heavy, solid wood planter may not be the best choice. Instead, a smaller, wheeled cart with a handle can bring beauty to your space without limiting its functionality.

For those with limited space who lack a dedicated yard or tool storage area, this unit offers helpful storage options, including a bottom grid frame and four extra hooks for hanging gardening accessories. (Having a designated space for your tools can be a lifesaver for gardeners prone to losing their tools in the garden!)

If you have a lot of space, this colorful planter adds a charming vintage touch to your garden, no other reason needed. It is equipped with ample drainage holes to prevent water buildup, which helps avoid root rot and rust. Additionally, the anti-rust coating ensures it will endure for many gardening seasons.

Dimensions: 40.5 x 15.5 x 31.5 inches | Material: Galvanized steel | Planting Depth: 8 inches

Best Raised Garden Bed for Herbs

In reality, a raised bed isn't necessary for most garden herbs. For common herbs like oregano and thyme, which have six-inch roots, a few charming pots on your balcony or patio will suffice. However, using a raised bed for your herbs can free up valuable counter space, and you can even add a cold frame to extend the life of your herb garden into the fall or get an early start in the spring.

Hardy herbs such as rosemary and oregano can handle light freezes without much issue, but other herbs like basil, dill, and cilantro start to struggle once temperatures drop below 50°F. Cold frames maintain a temperature that's 7 to 10 degrees warmer than the outdoor air, often extending the life of your plants by an additional 4 weeks during the fall. They're also perfect for acclimating indoor plants as they transition back to the outdoors.

This VegTrug raised bed is constructed from cedar wood, which naturally helps retain warmth in the soil. Inside, it features sections with removable liners to organize up to eight different plants. Its 32-inch height is designed to eliminate the need for bending or stooping while gardening. Additionally, the bottom rack provides ample storage space for gardening tools and accessories, which can be neatly organized when purchased as part of a tool kit.

Dimensions: 31 x 23 x 31 inches | Material: Cedar | Planting Depth: 5.5 inches

Top Self-Watering Raised Garden Bed

For those who struggle to maintain a consistent watering routine, the Keter Urban Bloomer ensures your plants stay healthy by preventing overwatering or underwatering. It comes equipped with a built-in water reservoir that keeps the soil at an ideal moisture level, and an easy-to-read water gauge that lets you know when to top up or release water using the drainage tap.

This raised garden bed mimics the look of wood but is constructed from heavy-duty resin, meaning it can withstand the elements on a patio or balcony without rusting, rotting, or fading year after year. It includes a seedling tray to help you start your garden quickly, and a bottom shelf for convenient storage of tools and gardening essentials.

Dimensions: 32.3 x 14.7 x 30.7 inches | Material: Resin | Planting Depth: 14.7 inches

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, we highly recommend the Vego Garden 6-in-1 Modular Metal Raised Garden Bed Kit. This flexible garden bed can be set up in six different configurations and is made from a durable material that resists weather, UV rays, and rust.

Expert Advice on Choosing Raised Garden Beds

Material Selection

Raised garden beds are commonly made from wood or metal. However, the quality, safety, and longevity of your bed depend heavily on the specific type of wood used and how the metal is treated.

The ideal woods for raised garden beds include cedar, redwood, cypress, fir, and black locust, all of which are naturally resistant to rot and pests. As for metals, Aluzinc-coated steel and regular galvanized steel offer excellent protection against corrosion. Aluzinc-coated steel, in particular, boasts corrosion resistance three to seven times better than that of regular galvanized steel, and is twice as hard, ensuring your garden bed will stay strong and durable for many years.

Regular galvanized (zinc-coated) steel is the next best option, providing at least 20 years of use in most environments. However, be cautious when using acidic soils without a liner, as the acid can accelerate the corrosion of the zinc coating. When buying a metal bed, confirm that measures like a powder-coated finish have been taken to protect against rust and corrosion.

Dimensions

An average adult can reach about two feet into a raised garden bed. To maximize accessibility and efficiency—allowing someone to easily tend to the entire garden without stepping into it and compacting the soil—beds accessible from all sides should be no more than four feet wide. For beds with only one accessible side, the width should be limited to two feet. All of our recommended products follow this guideline.

Planting Depth

The optimal depth for a raised garden bed depends on the types of plants the gardener wants to grow, the location of the bed, and the gardener's mobility. Most flowers and leafy vegetables need around eight inches of soil, while root crops like carrots require 12 to 15 inches of soil. If the raised bed is in direct contact with the ground (as opposed to being a standalone container garden), depth becomes less of a concern since the roots can extend into the earth below. Panborn recommends a minimum depth of 12 inches but notes that deeper beds require more soil to fill.

Deeper raised beds and those in direct contact with the soil retain moisture more effectively and generally require less frequent watering. Additionally, garden beds at waist height provide the most ergonomic setup, reducing the need for bending or kneeling compared to lower beds.

Commonly Asked Questions

What are the advantages of using a raised garden bed?

Raised garden beds enhance accessibility and simplify maintenance. According to Pangborn, “Gardening in a raised bed turns what is typically a physically demanding activity into something more achievable for those with mobility challenges.” Additionally, “Raised beds can be designed to accommodate individuals who prefer to work while sitting or standing.” Furthermore, their contained structure means that raised beds don't require the usual upkeep of ground-level beds, such as creating borders with mulch and keeping them tidy.

Moreover, for those with limited backyard space, raised garden beds provide a way to expand gardening options. They can be placed on hard surfaces like concrete or used in apartment settings, such as on a balcony, offering more gardening space in otherwise restricted areas.

What should I place at the bottom of a raised garden bed?

“Most raised garden beds don't require any material at the bottom—ideally, they should be placed on soil that has been cleared of weeds or grass. Once filled and planted, the roots won't be confined to the depth of the bed and will be able to spread into the soil beneath,” explains Pangborn.

For gardens placed directly on the ground, Pangborn suggests stapling a permeable material like chicken wire or hardware cloth to the base to keep moles or underground pests away. “This allows roots to grow freely while excess water can drain out,” she explains.

If your raised bed has a sealed bottom, Pangborn advises drilling multiple drainage holes throughout the base—aim for at least one hole per square foot. “Wet soil can be harmful to most vegetables, fruits, and herbs, so ensuring proper drainage will provide your plants with the moisture they need without risking waterlogging,” Pangborn adds.

On the flip side, filling a raised bed entirely with bags of soil can quickly become expensive. Fortunately, a popular technique called "Hugelkultur" lets you fill up to 70 percent of your bed with natural yard debris. "Typically, people layer branches, organic yard waste, and then top off the bed with compost," says Catalano. The result is that soil only makes up around 30 percent of the final mixture. Since wood decomposes slowly, larger logs or branches are placed at the bed's bottom to provide a continuous source of organic matter.

Start with smaller twigs and sticks, then add other organic yard debris such as grass clippings or fallen leaves. On top of these materials, place compost and soil. As the organic matter decomposes, it supports the growth of beneficial fungi and microbes. Over time, as the bed settles from the decomposition process, gardeners will need to add more compost to the top.

"Twice a year, in both spring and mid-summer, we replenish our garden beds with homemade compost made from our vegetable scraps," shares Catalano. "The goal is to replicate nature’s process of forest leaf litter decomposition. Additionally, we follow 'No Till' gardening practices in our raised beds and on the ground. This method helps preserve the beneficial organisms in the soil and prevents weed seeds from sprouting."

The Hugelkultur technique offers more benefits than just saving money. It also enhances soil quality, stores carbon, conserves water, and helps reduce the amount of weeding required.

Where should you place your raised garden bed?

Set your raised garden bed in a spot that receives "at least six hours of sunlight daily," recommends Catalano. "This is particularly important if you're growing vegetables," she emphasizes. "Most vegetables thrive in sunny spots, so the more sun, the better!" Gardeners should also avoid low areas that tend to collect water and become waterlogged.

Trust Us on This

This article was authored by Leslie Joblin, a lifestyle writer with two years of experience and a passion for gardening. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Spruce, MyDomaine, and Brides. For this roundup, Leslie extensively researched the top raised garden beds and consulted gardening expert Lisa Catalano from Our Garden Gig. Additional contributions were made by Lesley Chen, a writer covering home and lifestyle topics, who also interviewed Lindsay Pangborn, a plant expert at Bloomscape.