Table of Contents
Every item on this page was chosen by a Veranda editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Pros
- Customizable size and shape
- Open bottom for deep rooting plants
Cons
- Difficult to fence if you have deer problems
This galvanized metal garden bed is spacious and versatile, allowing you to set up in 12 different configurations to best suit your space. It comes in two neutral colors, gray or sage, so it fits unobtrusively in any garden. At 17 inches deep with an open bottom, it’s suited for large plants such as tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers.
Testers say: This sturdy bed has held up exceptionally well after two seasons in testing and still looks new, surviving even the accidental ding with the string trimmer.
Longest-Lasting Raised Bed
Gardener’s Supply Corten Steel Modular Raised Bed
Pros
- Made from one of the longest-lasting materials available
- Deep enough for most vegetables
Cons
- Rustic appearance not appealing to everyone
Corten steel is corrosion-proof and weathers to a rusty patina that just gets better with age. This type of steel typically lasts for decades, so it’s a great long-term investment. The material also is food-safe, so you can grow edibles in it. At 17.5 inches deep, it’s roomy enough for most vegetables such as tomatoes. This one is 2′ x 6′, but there’s also a smaller version, and both fit the self-watering inserts so you won’t need to hand-water as frequently.
Pros
- Made from naturally weather- and pest-resistant cedar
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Shape cannot be customized
Cedar is weather and pest resistant and offers an attractive rustic look. This bed is a generous 16.5 inches deep and comes in three different sizes (4’x4′, 3’x6′, and 4′ x 8′). It’s ideal for crops that need plenty of room to stretch their roots, such as tomatoes and pumpkins. It’s also made in the U.S. and comes with a five-year warranty.
Best Portable Raised Bed
Gardener’s Supply Company Metal Elevated Planter Cart
Pros
- Elevated height for easy access
- Attractive appearance
Cons
- Not deep enough for plants such as tomatoes
Have a compact space? This handsome metal elevated bed on wheels is ideal if you have a small area, such as a petite deck, patio, or balcony. It’s 8 inches deep and holds 95 quarts of soil, so it’s a good choice for shallow-rooted plants such as herbs or greens.
Best Starter Raised Garden Bed
Best Choice Products Wood Elevated Garden Bed
Pros
- Elevated height for easy access
- Good starter garden
Cons
- Fir not as durable as other types of wood, such as cedar
This 30-inch tall wooden planter provides easy access for gardening, while also keeping plants away from hungry bunnies. The planter is made from fir, which should last two to three seasons, and can hold more than 8 cubic feet of soil. It’s best for shallow-rooted plants such as greens and herbs.
Easiest to Store Raised Bed
Back to the Roots Reusable Fabric Grow Bag Raised Bed
Now 36% Off
Pros
- No assembly required
- Enhanced root health with breathable sides
Cons
- Somewhat awkward to move when full of soil
Grow bags have been gaining popularity in recent years because they’re easy to use (no assembly!), and you can place them anywhere on a deck, patio, yard, or even your driveway. The fabric walls allow good air flow to roots for healthy growth.
Testers say: We found this grow bag to be lightweight, durable, and a good choice as a starter garden.
Most Attractive Raised Garden Bed
Gardener’s Supply Company Corrugated Metal Raised Bed
Now 20% Off
Pros
- No bottom makes it great for deep-rooting plants
- Attractive appearance
Cons
- Not as long-lasting as anticipated
Lightweight and easy to assemble, at 34″ square, this corrugated metal bed comes in two colors, storm gray and blue. It’s more attractive than many raised beds, so you won’t feel like you need to hide it out behind the potting shed.
Testers say: This bed lasted four seasons in the garden before starting to rust.
Pros
- Comes with everything you need to start growing
- Unique gift idea
Cons
- Small size
Looking for a fun gift for a friend (or yourself)? This all-in-one kit comes with a reusable grow bag, four to six herbs customized to your tastes, plus potting medium, mister, and fertilizer to get your garden started. You’ll be muddling or stirring herbs into your favorite cocktails in a matter of weeks!
Testers say: We found the kit to be a fun and unique gift idea.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Slightly elevated for easier reach
Cons
- Not deep enough for large plants such as tomatoes
This tiered planting bed has four separate sections for flowers or veggies. At 10 inches deep, you’ll have plenty of room for most flowers and vegetables, such as radishes, carrots, and peas.
Pros
- Elevated height for easy access
- Comes with cold frame
Cons
- Difficult to move when filled with soil
At 31 inches tall, this raised bed, which comes in gray and natural wood tones, is ideal for seniors or anyone with mobility issues. Its unique v-shape allows deep-rooting plants more space, while the hinged cold frame allows you to start gardening earlier in the season and also extends your growing season into the fall.
Pros
- All-in-one kit keeps out deer and rabbits
- Elevated growing beds for easy access
Cons
- Only comes in one size
Does Bambi like to visit your garden without an invitation? This 8′ x 8′ cedar garden contains everything you need to set up a small space garden with built-in fencing to keep out deer and other unwelcome guests, such as hungry bunnies. The built-in raised beds make it easier on your back, too.
Pros
- Elevated height for easy access
- Easy-to-read indicator shows when you need to add water
Cons
- Sometimes need to open drain plug if you’ve had a lot of rain
This 12.7-gallon raised garden bed is nearly 15 inches deep, which gives you plenty of room to plant lettuce, greens such as arugula, and even small peppers such as shishito. It’s self-watering but includes a drain hole if you need to empty it out a bit when you’ve had lots of rain.
Testers say: We found it didn’t fade at all during a steamy summer and was at a comfortable height for gardening.
Pros
- Space-saving vertical design for small patios, decks, or balconies
- Mini drip irrigation system included
Cons
- Can become somewhat top-heavy when fully planted
If you’re particularly tight on space, this compact unit allows you to grow plants vertically in a small footprint. It’s also on wheels so it can be moved around, and it comes with a preassembled mini irrigation drip system.
Testers say: Although the pots are on the small side, we found during testing that they were just the right size for herbs and greens such as spinach, arugula, or petite flowers like sweet alyssum.
Pros
- Elevated height for easy access
- Built-in trellis
Cons
- Only one size available
This handsome cedar raised bed comes with a trellis, which makes it easy to train up vines such as morning glories, nasturtiums, or peas. It’s 15.5 inches deep to accommodate many different plants. Locking casters also make it convenient to move around your balcony, patio, or rooftop garden.
How We Chose the Best Raised Garden Beds
To determine the best raised bed gardens, we looked at specific criteria, including:
- Height. Elevated height is preferred for easy access.
- Planting Depth. We selected those with planting depths of at least 6 inches, which is ideal for shallow-rooting plants such as lettuce and greens.
- Durability. We chose beds made of long-lasting materials such as cedar and metal.
- Reviews. We looked at reviews overall, including negative reviews to eliminate products that aren’t user-friendly. We considered points such as ease of assembly, sizes available, durability of materials, and manufacturer support.
- Real world testing in our own gardens, when possible.
Why Trust VERANDA
For more than 35 years, VERANDA has been the authority on extraordinary design, outdoor living, art and craft, entertaining, travel, and culture. Every product we feature is expertly curated by our discerning editors and industry experts. Through market research, experience, and rigorous product testing, we only give our stamp of approval to the very best.
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman’s Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
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